"Case Was Sent To The Department of State" — what it means on USCIS

What to do, in 4 steps

Wait for a welcome letter or email from the National Visa Center.

Get your NVC case number and invoice ID when they arrive.

Prepare civil documents and the Affidavit of Support if required.

Check the visa bulletin if your category has a waiting line.

—months

In this statusThe transfer to NVC often takes a few weeks; later steps vary by category.

In general, on any form

USCIS approved the petition and sent it to the Department of State. The National Visa Center (NVC) will handle the next steps for a visa abroad. The person sponsored will process the visa through a U.S. embassy or consulate. USCIS's part of the case is done.

Avoid these mistakes

Checking the USCIS website for updates; the next updates come from NVC.

Thinking the beneficiary already has a visa.

Quick questions

What is the National Visa Center?

It is part of the Department of State. It collects fees and documents before a visa interview abroad.

How long until NVC contacts me?

Often a few weeks after USCIS sends the case, but it varies.

Can I still check my case on the USCIS website?

The USCIS status stays here. Track the next steps on the Department of State's CEAC site.

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Choose your form for the exact explanation

I-485Green card from inside the U.S.Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status I-130Petition for a family memberPetition for Alien Relative I-751Remove conditions on 2-year green cardPetition to Remove Conditions on Residence I-129FK-1 fiancé(e) visa petitionPetition for Alien Fiancé(e)I-140Employment-based green card petitionImmigrant Petition for Alien Workers I-539Extend or change visa statusApplication to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status I-129Temporary work visa petitionPetition for a Nonimmigrant Worker I-526EEB-5 regional center investor petitionImmigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor I-829Remove conditions for EB-5 investorsPetition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status I-907Pay for faster processingRequest for Premium Processing Service I-526EB-5 direct investor petitionImmigrant Petition by Standalone Investor I-824Follow-up on an approved caseApplication for Action on an Approved Application or Petition I-102Replace or fix your I-94Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document I-817Family Unity protectionApplication for Family Unity Benefits I-956FEB-5 project approvalApplication for Approval of an Investment in a Commercial Enterprise I-600AAdoption pre-approval (non-Hague)Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition I-800AAdoption pre-approval (Hague)Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country I-800Hague adoption petition for a childPetition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative I-600Non-Hague orphan adoption petitionPetition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative I-129CWCW-1 worker in Northern Mariana IslandsPetition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker I-956Become an EB-5 regional centerApplication for Regional Center Designation I-508Diplomat waiver to adjust statusRequest for Waiver of Certain Rights, Privileges, Exemptions, and Immunities I-566A, G or NATO status changesInteragency Record of Request -- A, G or NATO Dependent Employment Authorization or Change/Adjustment to/from A, G or NATO Status I-956GEB-5 regional center yearly reportRegional Center Annual Statement I-956KRegister as an EB-5 promoterRegistration for Direct and Third-Party Promoters I-6871986 legalization temporary residenceApplication for Status as a Temporary Resident Under Section 245A of the Immigration and Nationality Act I-698Legalization: temporary to permanentApplication to Adjust Status From Temporary to Permanent Resident (Under Section 245A of the INA)

AI-assisted explanation based on the official USCIS status, reviewed by CaseAlerta. Not legal advice. Times are typical ranges, never an exact date.

“Case Was Sent To The Department of State”