How to Find Out if Your Immigration Case Is Still Open

Finding the Status of Deportation Proceedings

Call the Department of Justice. To check the status of your deportation or removal proceeding, you should call the Department of Justice toll-free at 1-800-898-7180. Make sure to call from a “touch tone” phone and not a rotary phone, as the system only works with touch tone phones. You can also call 240-314-1500 if the toll-free number is busy. Information is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You will have to select whether to hear instructions in either English or Spanish. To select English, touch “1.” For Spanish instructions, touch “2.”

Enter your Alien Registration Number. This is also called your “A number.” It should begin with an “A” and be an eight- or nine-digit number. If your number has only eight digits, then you will be asked to include a “0” before the other nine digits. After entering the information, touch “1” to confirm that you have entered it correctly.

Confirm your identity. Based on your Alien Registration Number, the automated operator will read back your name to you. If the name is correct, then press “1” to confirm your identity. However, if the name is incorrect, then you probably entered your Alien Registration Number incorrectly. You should press “2” in order to re-enter your A-Number.

Select the information that you want. You can get a variety of information by calling the 800 number. For example, you will be asked to select one from the menu of items: Date, time, and location of your next hearing. Information about case processing. Information about any decision made by an Immigration Judge in your case. If you are checking whether your case is closed, then select this option. Information about appealing your case, such as the due date for an appeal. Filing information.

Realize the system isn’t perfect. The system is only as good as the people entering the information into the databases. Accordingly, some information might be entered wrong or not entered at all. For example, the recording might state that your case is still pending even if a decision has been made. In that situation, the Immigration Judge’s clerk might not have entered the update into the system promptly. You can call back at a later date to check whether your case has been closed. If the phone system continues to report inaccurate information, then reach out to your attorney. Your attorney can contact the immigration court and get an update.

Checking Your Visa Application Online

Visit the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC). This case tracker website allows you to check the status of your immigration visa. You should use this website if you have applied for a visa, not if you are in removal/deportation proceedings.

Select your visa application type. There are two options: “immigrant visa” and “nonimmigrant visa.” Select from the drop-down box the one that applies to you. For example, if you applied for a tourist visa, then select “nonimmigrant visa.”

Pick your application location. If you applied for a nonimmigrant visa, then you will need to select the location where you applied. You can select your city from the drop-down box. Locations are listed alphabetically, in a “Country, City” manner—e.g., “Austria, Vienna.” If you applied for an immigrant visa, then you don’t have to enter a location.

Enter your Case Number. There is also a box for you to type in your Case Number (if applying for an immigrant visa) or your Application ID/Case Number (if you are applying for a nonimmigrant visa). The embassy or consulate might have given you a case number. Go through your papers. The “application ID” is your “confirmation number,” which should appear on the confirmation page you printed off after submitting your visa request.

Type in the CAPTCHA code. The system also wants to know that you are not a spam bot, so you will need to enter a CAPTCHA code. The code might read something like “Y6PP4.” Type the code into the box labeled “Enter the code as shown.” If you can’t read the code, then you can hear it by pressing the speaker icon. You can also refresh the code and get a different one by hitting the “Change the CAPTCHA code” icon. When you are finished entering the code, click “Submit.”

Interpret the status information for a nonimmigrant visa. After submitting your information, the system will return with your status. You may receive one of the following: No status. If you applied for a nonimmigrant visa, then your search might return a “No Status” because the application has not been processed into the system. Ready. You will get this status when the embassy or consulate is ready for your interview. Administrative Processing. Your visa is currently undergoing administrative processing, which could take several weeks. You might need to provide additional information. If so, the consulate should reach out to you. Issued. This status means that your visa is in final processing. You should receive it in 10 days. Refused. Your case has been refused.

Understand the status information for an immigrant visa. After entering your information into the CEAC website, you will also receive a status notification for any nonimmigrant visa. You should understand what the status means: Ready. You are ready for your interview with the U.S. Consulate or Embassy. You should begin preparing your documents for the interview. Administrative Processing. Your case is going through administrative processing. Issued. Your visa has been printed and is either available for pick up or will be mailed to you. You may be contacted if the embassy or consulate has further questions. Expired. Your application was cancelled because you took too long to complete it. You may be able to reinstate your application within a year under certain circumstances. Expiring soon. You have one year to apply for your immigrant visa after being advised to do so. Return to NVC. Your case has been returned to the National Visa Center for some reason. You should contact them at 1-603-334-0700 to find out why. Transfer. Your case is being transferred to a different consulate or embassy. Check back at a later date to find out the status of your case. Refused. Your case is closed. Refer to the letter you received explaining why.

Call the National Visa Center instead. You can also get an update on your visa application by calling the National Visa Center at 1-603-334-0700 to ask about immigrant visas. You may also reach the National Visa Center at 1-603-334-0888 to ask about your nonimmigrant visa application.