How do I make an InfoPass Appointment?
InfoPass allows you to make a free online appointment to speak with an Immigration Information Officer at your local USCIS field office. InfoPass is now offered in 12 languages including: English, Spanish, Creole, Vietnamese, Chinese, Tagalog, Russian, Portugues, French, Korean, Polish and Arabic.
Prior to the launch of InfoPass in 2004, customers had to line up in front of the USCIS offices before dawn to ensure that they had an opportunity to speak to an immigration officer about their case. Because of the overwhelming demand, many people must be turned away. With InfoPass, customers can schedule an appointment for a date and time that is convenient for them.
To make an InfoPass appointment, log on to http://infopass.uscis.gov/ and follow these steps:
Step 1: Select the language you want to use (there are 12 language options).
Step 2: Select “Make an Appointment”.
Step 3: Type in the zip code where you live (so InfoPass can find the closest office for your
appointment).
Step 4: Select the type of appointment that matches best with the kind of inquiry you have.
Step 5: Type in your name, date of birth, zip code and telephone number. An e-mail address is
optional.
Step 6: Choose a date and time for your appointment. If you do not find an available appointment at
a time that is convenient for you, feel free to check the InfoPass appointment schedule
periodically. New appointments are added to the schedule each business day.
Step 7: An appointment notice, showing the time, date and location of your appointment, will appear
on your computer screen. Print a copy of this notice immediately. Bring this notice with you
when you come for your appointment.
What do I need to bring to my InfoPass appointment?
Once you have successfully scheduled an InfoPass appointment, be sure to bring your printout of the appointment notice confirmation, government-issued ID (such as passport, driver’s license, Work Authorization Card, or green card), and any forms, receipt notices, approval or denial letters, or other documents that relate to your inquiry.
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How do I Check the Status of My Case with USCIS?
After you have filed your application with USCIS, you can conveniently check your case status online. You will need the “Receipt Number” for your case, which is found in the Notice of Receipt you would have received after properly filing your application. Your “Receipt Number” can be found in the upper left corner.
To check your case online, visit https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/Dashboard.do and enter your receipt number.
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What are the Passport Photo Requirements?
The Department of State has issued specific guidelines for the passport photos requirements. Make sure that your passport photos satisfy the following:
Passport Photo Dimensions Well-Composed Photos
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The U.S. Department of State releases monthly Visa Bulletin, which summarizes the availability of immigrant visas for a particular month. Only applicants who have a priority date earlier than the cut-off date may be allotted a number for immigrant visa.
When there are more immigrant visas available than the number of the applicants who have applied for an immigrant petition, then the category is considered “Current” (marked as “C” in the Visa Bulletin). For example, if the available visa for the month is 3,000 and only 1,000 applicants applied for a specific category, then the category can be “Current”.
When there are more applicants who apply for immigrant visas than the number of visas available, the category is considered “oversubscribed”, and the Department of State will establish a cut-off date for the available visas. The cut-off date is the priority date of the applicant who could not be allotted a visa number. For example, if the available visa for the month is 3,000 and 20,000 applicants have applied for that category, then the Department of State establishes a cut-off date so that only 3,000 numbers are allocated. In this case, the cut-off date would be the priority date of the 3,001st applicant. Only persons with a priority date earlier than a cut-off date are allotted a visa number. Normally, the date in which your immigrant petition was filed is your priority date.
For more information, visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html.
Visa Bulletin for April 2010
Family-Sponsored Immigrant Visas
Explanation of Family-Based Preference Categories
1st Category: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
2A Category: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
2B Category: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
3rd Category: Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
4th Category: Brothers and Sisters of U.S. Citizens (21 years of age or older)
*Immediate family members of U.S. Citizens (i.e. spouses, parents and unmarried children under age of 21)
are not subject to the numerical limitation of visa quotas.*
Employment-Based Immigrant Visas
