Resources
USCIS – Citizenship and Immigration Services
CASE PROCESSING TIMES
CASE STATUS UPDATE
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
The USCIS requires all non-citizens to change their addresses within ten days of relocation. Petitioners should also change their addresses in order to ensure that all USCIS notices are received and processed in a timely manner. Failure to respond to USCIS requests will result in a denial. Exceptions may be made if the petitioner or beneficiary can prove that their address was changed. The USCIS allows address changes to by made online or by mail on form AR-11.
TRANSLATION OF FOREIGN DOCUMENTS
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) requires foreign government documents to comply with its regulations. The visa-reciprocity and civil documents link provides a list of available documents per country. Failure to submit conforming foreign documents may result in the denial of a petition or visa application. The USCIS and DOS require all foreign documents to be translated and sometimes require authentication in order to be considered. Translations must comply with 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). Please note that the DOS visa-reciprocity and civil documents list applies to individual countries and a document that is valid for one country may not apply to a different country.
DOS – U.S. Department of State
SIGN FORM DS-260 AND SUBMIT IT TO THE NATIONAL VISA CENTER
Review and sign your immigrant visa application if it is correct. You will need your Immigrant Visa Case Number (e.g.) MTL 1999626025 and the Invoice Number is also required (e.g.) IVSCA00000123456. Call McAllister Law Firm, PLLC before signing and submitting form DS-260 if changes are required.
CHECK YOUR IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION STATUS
The CEAC office allows users to check the status of their immigrant visa cases by entering their IV Case Number (e.g.) MTL 1999626025 into the field. The Invoice Number is also required (e.g.) IVSCA00000123456.
The National Visa Center reviews files after all fees have been paid and all forms have been submitted. If more documents are required, the National Visa Center will request them. Case review times vary based on their current workload. Remember, each time a document is submitted, new case review times will apply. A good average would be four to seven weeks. The State Department’s website updates case review times on a regular basis.
PAY YOUR VISA APPLICATION FEES
The CEAC office allows users to pay immigrant visa fees by entering their IV Case Number (e.g.) MTL 1999626025 into the field. The Invoice Number is also required (e.g.) IVSCA00000123456.
DS-261 ONLINE CHOICE OF ADDRESS AND AGENT
The CEAC office allows users to change their address and agents (including attorneys) associated with their immigrant visa cases by entering their IV Case Number (e.g.) MTL 1999626025 into the field. The Invoice Number is also required (e.g.) IVSCA00000123456.
DS-260 ONLINE IMMIGRANT VISA & ALIEN REGISTRATION
The CEAC office allows users to apply for immigrant visas and alien registration by entering their IV Case Number (e.g.) MTL 1999626025 into the field. The Invoice Number is also required (e.g.) IVSCA00000123456.
U.S. VISA: RECIPROCITY AND CIVIL DOCUMENTS BY COUNTRY
Civil Documents and How to Use Them
Immigrant visa applicants are required to submit certain civil documents as part of their visa application, such as birth certificates and police records. (Nonimmigrant visa applicants do not routinely need to submit civil documents as part of their visa application.) Each Reciprocity Page will provide detailed information about how to obtain these civil documents from the country* you have selected, as well as the location of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you can apply for your visa. For more information about civil document requirements for immigrant visa cases, See civil documents.
To view the Civil Documents for your country* of nationality, select your country*/area of authority from the drop-down menu below. On the Reciprocity Page, click on the tabs on the left to see the categories of Civil Documents and how to obtain them.
LIST OF U.S. EMBASSIES, CONSULATES, & DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS
VISA CATEGORIES
VISA BULLETIN
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) issues monthly visa bulletins to document the number of available visas for a particular preference category. In most cases, beneficiaries of approved immigrant petitions can only file for an application for permanent residence after the priority date is current. The DOS must assign an immigrant visa number to an application before an application can be granted. Please click on the following link for a list of family and employment-based preference categories can be found in the monthly visa bulletin.
EOIR – Immigration Court
EOIR AUTOMATED CASE INFORMATION HOTLINE
Information: 1-800-898-7180 | 240-314-1500
TDD: 1-800-828-1120
DETROIT IMMIGRATION COURT
Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building
477 Michigan Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48226
ICE – Immigration and Customs Enforcement
FIELD OFFICES
LOCATE YOUR FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND WHO IS IN ICE CUSTODY
You can locate the person you care about online by using the ICE Detainee Locator Online. You can search for the detainee by alien number or biographic information.
MICHIGAN DETENTION CENTERS
CBP – U.S. Customs and Border Protection
CBP DETROIT FIELD OFFICE
211 West Fort St., Suite 1200
Detroit, Michigan 48220
PORTS OF ENTRY AND BORDER CROSSINGS IN DETROIT
PORTS OF ENTRY AND BORDER CROSSINGS IN PORT HURON
*Please note that the contact information for these government offices is subject to change. You may refer to each agency’s websites for additional information.
McAllister Law Firm, PLLC serves immigrant communities through creative and innovative legal strategies. We are a proud recipient of a 2019 grant funded by Flagstar Bank's "Pontiac's Big Idea Grant Program" which works with the support and partnership of Main Street Pontiac, the Build Institute and ProsperUS. We thank Flagstar Bank and its partners for their most kind generosity.
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