What does “Case Was Sent To Department Of State” mean?

Informational
Direct answer

Your petition was approved by USCIS and sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) or a U.S. consulate abroad for the next stage of consular processing.

What comes next

You will need to pay NVC fees, submit documents online through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC), and wait for your interview appointment at the U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country.

Typical timeline

After USCIS sends your case to the NVC, expect 2-6 months to complete the NVC stage (fee payment and document submission), then additional months for interview scheduling at the consulate. Total time from NVC transfer to visa issuance averages 8-18 months for most cases. For oversubscribed preference categories or countries with heavy backlogs (China, India, Mexico, Philippines), waits can be significantly longer — sometimes years — while applicants wait for a current priority date on the monthly Visa Bulletin.

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If you're stuck on this status

If your case has been at the NVC for more than 6 months with no interview scheduled, log into CEAC to confirm your fees and documents are fully submitted and accepted. Missing or rejected documents are the most common cause of NVC delays. You can also call the NVC at 1-603-334-0700.

What to do now
  • 1Log in to ceac.state.gov to check your case status and pay immigrant visa fees
  • 2Submit all required civil documents (birth certificate, police certificates, marriage certificate) through CEAC
  • 3Complete Form DS-260 (immigrant visa application) online — only after NVC instructs you to do so
  • 4Wait for NVC to schedule your consular interview
  • 5Prepare for the medical exam — schedule it with an approved panel physician before your interview
When to contact an attorney

Consider contacting an immigration attorney if you cannot attend an appointment, do not understand the notice, or the requested action affects your eligibility.

Community average

Applicants typically wait 180 days before the next update after this status.

Frequently asked questions

What is the National Visa Center (NVC)?+
The NVC is a State Department processing center that handles immigrant visa cases after USCIS approves the underlying petition. The NVC collects fees, checks documents, and schedules the consular interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in the applicant's home country.
How long does the NVC stage take?+
The NVC stage typically takes 2-6 months after case transfer, assuming all fees are paid and documents are submitted quickly. Cases with document problems, missing police certificates, or country-of-birth backlogs (China, India, Mexico, Philippines) can take significantly longer.
Do I need to do anything after my case is sent to the NVC?+
Yes — this is an active step. Log into ceac.state.gov, pay the immigrant visa fee and Affidavit of Support fee, and submit all civil documents. If you do nothing, your case will sit at the NVC indefinitely.
What is the difference between USCIS and the NVC?+
USCIS handles the petition (proving the immigrant relationship or eligibility). Once approved, the NVC handles the visa application stage for people outside the U.S. The NVC is part of the State Department, not USCIS.
What happens at the consular interview?+
A consular officer at a U.S. embassy or consulate will review your case, ask questions about your background and relationship (for family cases), and decide whether to issue the immigrant visa. If approved, you receive a visa packet to bring to the U.S. port of entry.
Does an approved petition mean I can get my visa right away?+
Not always. For immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (IR-1, IR-2, etc.), visa numbers are always available. For preference-category cases (most family-based F2A/F3/F4 and employment-based categories), you must also wait for your priority date to become current on the monthly Visa Bulletin published by the State Department. Check travel.state.gov for current cutoff dates.

Related status messages

Case Was Approved →Case Was Transferred →Interview Was Scheduled →
Official and related resources
Check your official USCIS case status →Check USCIS processing times →Compare timelines by USCIS form →Browse the USCIS status glossary →

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GreenLight is an independent tool and is NOT affiliated with USCIS, DHS, or any U.S. government agency. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Always verify at my.uscis.gov.