The NVC is the second step in the visa application process. It is run by the Department of State and has a number of different sections. The best way to check your NVC case status is by visiting the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website. Once you are on the site, input your “Visa Application Type” and your Immigrant Visa Case Number. You will then be asked to type in a security code shown on the screen. Once you have entered all of the required information, click submit, and your NVC case status will be displayed. When checking your NVC case status, ensure you use the immigrant visa number from the welcome letter the NVC sent you early in the process. It is 13 characters long and usually consists of three letters followed by ten numbers.
It is normal for the NVC to take a long time to pre-process your case before sending it to your U.S. Embassy or Consulate. This is due to the fact that many immigrant visa categories have annual limits and backlogs. In addition, there are other issues that can slow down the process, such as COVID-19 and delays at the NVC. However, if you have a qualified attorney handling your case, they can help to expedite the process as much as possible.
How Long Does It Take CEAC to Process Documents?
After USCIS approves your petition and sends it to the National Visa Center (NVC), you will get a letter or email from NVC with an NVC barcode and case number. You can check your NVC case status online by entering the NVC case number and barcode in the NVC system portal. You will also be prompted to input a security code shown on screen. You can use the NVC public inquiry form if you have questions that cannot be answered by checking your status on the NVC website.
NVC usually takes two months to review the scanned documents it receives from you. If there are any issues, it may take longer. After your files are reviewed and deemed Document Qualified, it will then be another six to eight weeks before NVC schedules your embassy interview.
It is important to keep in contact with NVC and let them know if your address changes. You can update your email addresses on the summary page of your NVC account by clicking “Edit” for both visa applicant and petitioner (and any third-party agent). The NVC also needs to be informed if you change your legal name. You can do this by using the public inquiry form or calling NVC.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Response From NVC?
NVC’s normal operating hours are Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 12:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. If you have any questions, you can email NVC using their public inquiry form. They do not answer phone calls during normal operating hours or over the weekend, so please plan accordingly.
NVC is responsible for handling immigration cases that require consular processing (getting an immigrant visa abroad at a U.S. Consulate). Once NVC receives an approval from USCIS, they create a case file for you and assign you a unique case number. You can find this number in the NVC Case Creation notification that they send you by mail or email.
Once NVC processes your civil documents, they will schedule your interview appointment at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy. This is where you will submit biographical and financial documents to prove your ability to support yourself and your dependents. This step can take up to two years, depending on the availability of interview dates and backlogs at each consulate or embassy.
NVC has a lot of moving parts, and it can be difficult to understand what each message means for you specifically. To help you, we have compiled the most common NVC messages and what they mean in the context of your case.