A Day in the Life of USCIS (2024)

FAQs

How many cases does USCIS approve a day? ›

On an average day in FY 2023 we: Adjudicate more than 40,500 requests for various immigration benefits. Process 3,800 applications to sponsor relatives and future spouses. Analyze nearly 560 tips, leads, cases and detections for potential fraud, public safety and national security concerns.

Dial 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833, VRS 877-709-5797) and ask your question in English or Spanish. The system will answer your question and can send you links to forms and information by email or text. If you can be helped through an online tool or other self-service, you will not be connected to live assistance.

Your name, date, place of birth and fingerprints will be run against a database maintained by the FBI to make sure there are no “hits," i.e., no adverse information against you appears based on various databases such as the U.S. and foreign law enforcement authorities, security agencies and the U.S. State Department ...

If your case number starts with 'IOE,' it indicates that your case is processed through the USCIS Online Filing and Case Management System.

USCIS has 120 days from the date of the initial naturalization interview to issue a decision. If the decision is not issued within 120 days of the interview, an applicant may request judicial review of his or her application in district court.

The 120-day rule is a valuable guideline for individuals applying for F1 and M1 Visas. It allows you to obtain your Visas up to 120 days before your program's start date. However, it's equally important to adhere to the 30-day rule when planning your entry into the United States.

If you need to talk to a representative for another reason and you're in the United States or a U.S. territory, call the USCIS Contact Center. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern, except on federal holidays.

USCIS will not call you to ask for any form of payment over the phone. If the IRS or the Michigan Treasury Department believes that you owe taxes or if they have questions about your tax forms, they will write you a letter. They will not tell the FBI to arrest you. If you receive a call like this, just hang up.

Representatives at our USCIS Contact Center will now take calls Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., local time. Applicants will be able to call our toll-free number on Saturdays to receive nationwide assistance for immigration services and benefits offered by USCIS.

Usually this is the five years before you applied, or three years if you're applying for citizenship on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen. You will also need to give a statement under oath about any criminal background you have in the period of good moral character.

What can USCIS see? ›

The background and security checks include collecting fingerprints and requesting a “name check” from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). In addition, USCIS conducts other inter-agency criminal background and security checks on all applicants for naturalization.

Most background checks focus on the facts of your past employment, like dates and responsibilities, rather than trying to find out about your work performance. Some states have laws regarding what information employers can share during employment verifications. Many employers ask for professional references as well.

There are several codes for USCIS service centers. They include: CSC – California Service Center. EAC – Eastern Adjudication Center (now known as Vermont Service Center) IOE – USCIS online account (efile)

Yes. IOE always faster since digitally filed.

If the National Benefits Center (NBC) is processing your case, your number could start with MSC or NBC. If USCIS is processing your application online, your receipt number will begin with IOE.

Receiving a decision on your application

Otherwise, USCIS will have 120 days (four months) from the date of your citizenship interview and exam to send you its decision in writing. More specifically, you'll receive Form N-652 (officially called the “Notice of Examination Results”).

In FY 2022, USCIS completed 8.6 million applications, petitions, and requests – the highest number since FY 2018.

Every year, about 810,558 immigrants apply to become U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (“LPRs,” better known as green card holders) through family members. Of these, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (“USCIS”) approves about 88% and denies 12%.