How to Call USCIS
Last updated: July 31, 2026
The USCIS Contact Center number is 1-800-375-5283. Calling USCIS is an exercise in patience. You'll be greeted by EMMA, their virtual assistant, who is determined to handle your question herself. Getting past her to a live agent requires knowing the right words. Here's everything you need.
- Phone number 1-800-375-5283 (also known as the USCIS hotline, USCIS customer service number, or USCIS contact number)
- Hours Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Eastern Time
- Avg hold time 30 – 120 minutes (sometimes longer). USCIS Contact Center handled over 28 million calls in fiscal year 2024 (USCIS Ombudsman Annual Report).
- Best time to call Right at 8 a.m. ET or after 6 p.m. ET
- Virtual assistant EMMA (say "Infopass" or "live agent" to bypass)
- Online portal myUSCIS at my.uscis.gov (or www.uscis.gov/contactcenter)
- En español El número de USCIS es 1-800-375-5283. Presione 2 para español.
What to have ready
USCIS agents are thorough about identity verification — understandably so, given the sensitivity of immigration cases. Have all of this within reach before you call:
- Receipt number — starts with three letters (EAC, WAC, LIN, SRC, NBC, MSC, or IOE) followed by numbers. This is on every receipt notice USCIS has sent you.
- A-number (Alien Registration Number) — an 8 or 9-digit number starting with "A" found on your EAD, green card, or approval notices
- Full legal name exactly as it appears on your application
- Date of birth
- Country of birth
- Current address on file with USCIS
- Any notices or letters from USCIS, with dates and reference numbers
Getting through the phone tree
The USCIS phone system is unlike most government lines. Instead of a traditional press-1-for-this menu, you'll hit EMMA — an automated voice assistant that tries to handle your request without ever connecting you to a person. Here's how to navigate it:
- Call 1-800-375-5283
- Select your language — press
1for English or2for Spanish - EMMA will greet you and ask what you need help with
- Say "Infopass" — this is the magic word that signals you want to speak with a live agent or schedule an in-person appointment
- If EMMA tries to redirect you, say "live agent" or "representative"
- You may need to repeat yourself 2-3 times. Stay calm and persistent.
- Once EMMA transfers you, you'll be placed in queue for a Tier 1 agent
- If your issue is complex, ask the Tier 1 agent for a Tier 2 callback — these are senior officers who can actually take action on cases
The tier system matters. Tier 1 agents can look up your case, give you status updates, and file service requests. But they can't reschedule biometrics, expedite cases, or connect you to the actual office handling your application. For those things, you need Tier 2 — and you have to specifically ask for a callback.
Checking case status
This is the most common reason to call USCIS. The USCIS case status phone number is the same main line — 1-800-375-5283. Truthfully, the online portal at egov.uscis.gov/casestatus gives you the same information faster. But if your case shows a vague status like "Case Is Being Actively Reviewed" for months, a call can sometimes surface more detail.
What to say
"I'd like to check the status of my case. My receipt number is [receipt number]. The case has been showing [current status] since [date]. I'd like to know if there are any requests for evidence, if the case has been assigned to an officer, and what the estimated processing time is."
If your case is outside normal processing times (check the USCIS processing times page for your form type and service center), mention that explicitly. As of 2024, over 8.5 million immigration cases were pending with USCIS — an all-time high (USCIS Backlog Report). The agent can submit a service request, which sometimes nudges things along.
Scheduling an appointment (Infopass)
In-person appointments at USCIS field offices are called "Infopass" appointments. These are valuable — they're your chance to sit across from an immigration officer and discuss your case directly.
What to say
"I need to schedule an Infopass appointment at [city/office]. My receipt number is [receipt number]. I need to discuss [reason — e.g., a case that's outside processing times, a biometrics reschedule, or an emergency situation]. What's the earliest available appointment?"
Infopass availability varies wildly by office. Major metro offices (New York, Los Angeles, Miami) can be booked weeks out. Smaller offices often have openings within days.
Requesting documents
Lost your approval notice? Need a duplicate EAD? The phone line can help with some document requests, though many require filing a separate form.
What to say
"I need a replacement [document type — approval notice, EAD card, etc.]. My receipt number is [number] and my A-number is [A-number]. The original was [lost/damaged/never received]. What's the process to get a replacement?"
Emergency expedite requests
USCIS does expedite cases in certain situations: severe financial loss to a company, humanitarian reasons, nonprofit requests, U.S. government interest, or USCIS error. If you qualify, you can request an expedite over the phone.
What to say
"I'd like to request an expedite for my case. My receipt number is [number]. The basis for my expedite is [reason — e.g., severe financial loss, medical emergency, USCIS error causing delay]. I have supporting documentation that I can provide. Can you submit an expedite request and tell me where to send the evidence?"
Be specific about your reason. "It's been a long time" isn't grounds for an expedite. Financial hardship, medical emergencies, and employer-related urgency are. Have your documentation ready to fax or upload to myUSCIS when prompted.
Tips to cut your hold time
- Call at 8 a.m. Eastern sharp. Even if you're on the West Coast, set your alarm for 5 a.m. Pacific. The queue fills up fast and early callers get through in 20-30 minutes instead of 90+.
- Try late evening. Calling after 6 p.m. ET can work well — many people have given up by then, and lines stay open until 8 p.m.
- Say "Infopass" immediately. Don't engage with EMMA's questions. The faster you say the magic word, the faster you get transferred to the agent queue.
- Ask for a Tier 2 callback. If your issue needs real action — not just a status check — ask the Tier 1 agent to schedule a Tier 2 callback. This is a separate callback from a senior officer within 3-7 business days.
- Use myUSCIS for simple tasks. Case status, address changes, and appointment scheduling are all available at my.uscis.gov. The EMMA chatbot on the website can also handle basic queries without the phone wait.
- Document everything. Write down the agent's name (or ID number), the date and time of your call, and any reference numbers for service requests they submit. Immigration cases can take years, and you'll want a paper trail.
Common questions
What is the USCIS phone number?
The USCIS Contact Center number is 1-800-375-5283. Lines are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
How long is the wait time when calling USCIS?
USCIS hold times range from 30 minutes to over 2 hours. Wait times are shortest early in the morning (around 8 a.m. ET) and later in the evening. Midday calls tend to have the longest waits.
How do I get past the EMMA virtual assistant at USCIS?
When EMMA answers, say 'Infopass' or 'live agent' to be transferred to a human representative. You may need to repeat yourself. EMMA will try to answer your question first, but insisting on a live agent will eventually get you transferred.
Can I check my USCIS case status by phone?
Yes. You can check case status by calling 1-800-375-5283 and providing your receipt number (which starts with three letters like EAC, WAC, LIN, SRC, NBC, MSC, or IOE). You can also check online at egov.uscis.gov/casestatus.