My staff and I can assist you with questions regarding the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the Department of State and any applications you have filed with those agencies, including naturalization applications, immigrant petitions for relatives, and adjustment of status applications. If you have been working with the BCIS or the State Department and have encountered problems, we might be able to help. If you have questions that have not been addressed here or would like help with an immigration matter, please print out my Authorization Form and contact my district office.
Also, please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section of the USCIS website in addition to the information below.
Where can I obtain immigration and naturalization forms?
Many immigration forms are available through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. To access these particular forms for download, visit the USCIS website. If you have trouble downloading a form, you can request forms be mailed to you on the USCIS website here or by calling USCIS toll-free at (800) 870-3676 (Voice automated and nationwide). Note: You must know the name or the form number to make request.
I've tried calling USCIS to ask a simple question, but can't get through. How do you call them?
You can call USCIS toll-free for automated information and live assistance concerning immigration services and benefits within the U.S., including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hours of operation are, Monday through Friday, 8:00am until 6:00pm.
Telephone: (800) 375-5283
TTY: (800) 767-1833
How do I check the status of a case?
For information, please click on “Finding the Status of Your Case” or check the status of your case online here.
What is the fee for processing a particular application?
The current feed for processing the various applications can be found by clicking here.
Where do I file specific immigration forms if I reside in the United States?
Go to http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/index.htm, scroll down, click on the appropriate "Where to File" column, and then click on "PDF Format" at the bottom of the page.
What do I do if my address has changed?
Please click here for information on how to change your address with USCIS.
Where is my local Immigration office?
Please see the “List of Field Offices.”
My case is at the National Benefits Center. How can I get information about my case?
Please see http://uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/nbc/faq.htm for detailed information.
How can I track cases at the National Visa Center?
Please see http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1309.html for detailed information.
How do I track cases once they leave the National Visa Center and reach the U.S. Embassy overseas?
There is no online means of checking this. Individuals can call the National Visa Office’s Public Information Line at (202) 663-1225 to obtain the case status.
How Do I Bring My Fiancé(e) to the United States?
Please see http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/fiance.htm for detailed information.
How do I obtain a List of Non-Immigrant Visa categories?
Go to http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/visas.htm for detailed information.
How Do I Participate in the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Lottery Program?
The 2007 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program is currently open. Please see instructions available online at the U.S. Department of State website or online at the USCIS website for detailed information. The State Department will only accept completed Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Forms submitted electronically at www.dvlottery.state.gov during the registration period beginning at 12:00pm EST on October 5, 200 5 and ending at 12:00 pm EST on December 4, 2005.
How Much Does the DV Lottery Cost?
NO FEE IS CHARGED TO ENTER THE ANNUAL DV LOTTERY PROGRAM. If you win, you must pay a fee for an immigrant visa and a separate visa lottery surcharge.
How can I become a United States citizen?
A person may become a U.S. citizen by birth or through naturalization.
How do I become a naturalized citizen?
If you are not a U.S. citizen by birth or did not acquire U.S. citizenship automatically after birth, you may still be eligible to become a citizen through the normal naturalization process. People who are 18 years and older use the "Application for Naturalization" (Form N-400) to become naturalized. Persons who acquired citizenship from parent(s) while under 18 years of age use the "Application for a Certificate of Citizenship" (Form N-600) to document their naturalization. Adopted children who acquired citizenship from parent(s) use the "Application for a Certificate of Citizenship on Behalf of an Adopted Child" (Form N-643) to document their naturalization. You may click here to download forms or you may call the Forms Line at (800) 870-3676 to request Form N-400, N-600, or N-643.
Also, you can download a "Guide to Naturalization." This 49-page booklet answers most questions you may have regarding citizenship. You must have Adobe PDF Reader to access it.
How long will it take to become naturalized?
The time it takes to be naturalized varies from one local office to another. In 1997, in many places, it took over 2 years to process an application. USCIS continues to improve the naturalization process. As of October 2001, USCIS reported that it takes, on average, between 6 and 9 months to become naturalized.
I need to leave the country to attend a funeral, and I have filed an Adjustment of Status application and it is not yet approved – can I leave the country without documentation of approval?
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may need permission to return to the United States after traveling abroad, even if you have applications pending. This permission is granted through a travel document. Travel documents are also given to people who want to travel, but cannot get a passport from their country of nationality. The alien must apply for the travel document before leaving the United States. Failure to do so may cause the alien to lose permission to re-enter the country, and lead to the denial of any pending applications.
Please see the December 13th, 2000 Department of Justice Advisory for detailed information.
How Do I Get a Travel Document?
Please see http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/travdoc.htm for detailed information.
Which categories of Non-Immigrants need and are eligible to get an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)?
Please see http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-765.htm for detailed information.
Note: There are several types of work authorization documents, so make sure you complete the proper form.
What is an H-1B and how does one apply?
The H-1B is a nonimmigrant classification used by an alien who will be employed temporarily in a specialty occupation or as a fashion model of distinguished merit and ability. Please see http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/h1b.htm for detailed information.
How can my friend or family member who is a citizen of a foreign country visit the United States?
Please see http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/tempbenefits/buspleasure.htm for detailed information.
How Do I Prevent My Child From Losing Immigration Benefits at Age 21 ("Aging Out")?
An "Aging Out" case is a situation referring to a person’s petition to become a permanent legal resident as a "child" (for definition please see child as defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act), and in the time that passes during the processing of the application, the "child" turns 21, and "Ages Out." Please see http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/agingout.htm for more information on how to prevent your child from “Aging Out”.
If you need further information, please call the National Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283.
