In progress · Transferred · terminal
Case Was Sent To The National Visa Center
What it means
USCIS approved the immigrant petition and forwarded the file to the National Visa Center. The case has left USCIS and entered the Department of State system, meaning it will proceed through consular processing abroad rather than adjustment of status inside the United States. NVC collects visa fees and civil documents, processes the DS-260, and schedules a consular interview once a visa number is available.
When it usually appears
After an immigrant petition such as I-130 or I-140 is approved and the beneficiary will be processed abroad.
How long it usually lasts
Transfer and NVC case creation usually take several weeks. Everything after that depends on the monthly Visa Bulletin and on interview capacity at the consulate.
What you need to do next
Watch for the NVC case number and invoice ID, since all later steps happen in the CEAC system. Pay the immigrant visa and affidavit of support fees, then upload civil documents such as birth, marriage and police certificates along with the DS-260. Track the monthly Visa Bulletin to see whether your priority date is current. From this point the USCIS status generally stops updating, so check CEAC instead.
Frequently asked questions
Should I keep checking the USCIS status?
Largely no. The case now lives in the Department of State system, so track it in CEAC using the NVC case number.
Why consular processing instead of adjustment of status?
Usually because the beneficiary is outside the United States or is not eligible to adjust status, so an immigrant visa must be issued abroad.
What if my priority date is not current?
NVC holds the file until your priority date becomes current, and only then schedules the interview.
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General information only, not legal advice. Official USCIS notices in writing always take precedence.
About this information
- · MyCases is an independent product and is not affiliated with USCIS or any US government agency.
- · Information comes from publicly available USCIS channels.
- · It is informational only — not legal advice, and not a prediction of approval or timing.
- · Official written notices and USCIS records control.