If you’ve applied for any type of U.S. visa, then you know that getting a hold of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can be a challenge. The federal agency for years has wrestled with a massive backlog of visa applications, made worse by office closures and staffing shortages during the pandemic.
According to a new memo released by the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman, USCIS is working to fill roughly 4,400 roles across the agency, including vacancies at USCIS Contact Centers. The memo also outlined the best ways to reach out to USCIS with immigration questions.
3 quick and easy ways to contact uscis
- Leverage online tools. For starters, USCIS has a robust FAQ section on its website. It suggests that if you can’t get answers to your questions via the FAQs, you can send a message via e-Request. The tool is available 24/7, and allows people to ask questions relating to their case and avoid waiting on the phone for hours at a time. If you have a USCIS online account, you can send a secure message and a USCIS Contact Center representative will respond.
- Ask Emma. USCIS also has an online virtual assistant named “Emma.” She can provide immediate responses to your questions about all USCIS services, as well as guide you through the website. If she’s unable to answer your specific question, she can connect you to a live chat representative or help you schedule an in-person appointment if needed.
- Call the USCIS Contact Center. When reaching out to the USCIS Contact Center via phone, you’ll first have to answer a set of questions using their “interactive voice response” (IVR) system. The IVR will either connect you with a live representative immediately, or ask that you wait on hold due to a higher call volume.
If you have any questions about your case, you can also chat with an independent immigration attorney in our network for just $49. Learn more today!