If you were approved for a visa, but haven't received it yet, you can check the status of your case by contacting the National Visa Center by mail, phone or email. You should contact the NVC at least once a year, or your case will expire and you will have to start all over again by applying for a new visa.
The National Visa Center Processes Approved Visas
Once U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approves your visa petition, you will receive a notice of approval and USCIS will forward your approved petition to the National Visa Center for the processing of your visa. To check the status of your case, you can contact the NVC at the email address noted on the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs website. Place your case number in the subject line -- and inquire about only one case per email. You can also reach the NVC by phone at 603-334-0700 weekdays between 7 a.m. and midnight EST. To inquire by mail, send your query to National Visa Center, Attention: WC, 31 Rochester Avenue, Portsmouth, NH 03801-2915. Response times can vary depending on the number of inquiries that the NVC is currently processing.
Read More: How to Cancel an Approved Fiance Visa
Provide Personal Information to Obtain Case Information
To check the status of your case, you must provide your name, date of birth and the NVC case number. You must also include the name and date of birth of the person who submitted an immigrant petition on your behalf, often called a sponsor. However, if you applied for an employment-based visa, you would provide the name of your employer in lieu of petitioner information.
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Based on the West Coast, Mary Jane Freeman has been writing professionally since 1994, specializing in the topics of business and law. Freeman's work has appeared in a variety of publications, including LegalZoom, Essence, Reuters and Chicago Sun-Times. Freeman holds a Master of Science in public policy and management and Juris Doctor. Freeman is self-employed and works as a policy analyst and legal consultant.