Contacting the USCIS by phone from outside of the U.S.

[ryna 132]

Does anyone know how to contact the USCIS from outside of the USA? The 1-800-375-5283 number doesn't accept calls placed internationally even when using a calling card. Is there a non-'800' number available that would be reachable with a calling card?

[Tommy&Toni 2]

785-330-1048...You could also try sending an e-mail. To be frank, I haven't tried contacting the USCIS so let me know if that's helpfull.

California Service Center: csc-ncsc-followup@dhs.gov

Vermont Service Center: vsc.ncscfollowup@dhs.gov

Nebraska Service Center: ncscfollowup.nsc@dhs.gov

Texas Service Center: tsc.ncscfollowup@dhs.gov

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=943696981298d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=ddce0b89284a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD

I hope this would help you.

[DanVanessaSiempre 0]

Here is the contact info right off of the USCIS web site, and it does include a "normal" number that you should be able to pay to call. Note my red highlights,and the fact that you can't get a live operator that way, only the automated system.

I'm popping down myself to Medellin myself this weekend for a quick visit with Vanessa, and am hoping to get the news of an appointment date while we are together to share the joy. Hope that my passing on this info to you will help you guys out in finding out what you need to know.

Numbers to Call

You can call U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) toll-free for automated information and live assistance concerning immigration Services and Benefits within the U.S., including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Our number is: 1 (800) 375-5283

Our TTY number is: 1 (800) 767-1833

If you are outside the United States and have filed an application or petition with a USCIS Service Center, you can call 785-330-1048 to check the status of your case. This number provides automated information only. There is no live assistance available at this number.

If you are outside the United States and need more information concerning United States immigration, please contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Hours of Operation

Customers can access automated information through a menu of automated options 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. During regular business hours, customers who need more information or assistance can be transferred to a customer service representative.

Live assistance is available Monday through Friday as follows:

Customers calling from Alaska: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time;

Customers calling from Hawaii: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM local time;

Customers calling from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM local time;

Customers calling from anywhere else in the United States: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM local time.

In Guam, live assistance is available Tuesday through Saturday, 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM local time.

The best times to call the NCSC for personal assistance are Tuesday through Friday.

[sachinky 464]

If you need 'live assistance' you should have the USC petitioner call from within the U.S.

You can only get automated information outside the U.S.

[SPSguy 18]

Does anyone know how to contact the USCIS from outside of the USA? The 1-800-375-5283 number doesn't accept calls placed internationally even when using a calling card. Is there a non-'800' number available that would be reachable with a calling card?

Sign up for skype.com. Then pay around $15 to have a local phone number in the U.S. You can place and receive calls as if yoiu are living in the United States. You can call 800 umbers free of charge and unlimited local calls for $5 a month. I have freinds and colleaques contact me via skype and most haven't the slightest idea that I am overseas, half away across the globe.

When I am not online, I have my calls forwarded to my local cellphone.

[ryna 132]

Thanks everyone.

I was just looking at my NOA1 for the number(s). I only have (at best) a medium-speed connection here and the web sites load pretty slowly. I never saw the local number on the USCIS site.

And, it's unlikely because nothing has changed on the USCIS website for my case, but I've been out of the US for nearly 20 days and now that I know they only allow 30 days to respond to an RFE. With so many people with NOA1 dates similar to mine getting action, I'm starting to wonder if one awaits me upon my return with limited, or worse, no time left to respond. I was thinking maybe calling was an option, even to the automated system to see if that info differs in any way from the website.

Tony_SH - I have called them once, and spoke to a live person, about the birth certificate # on the I-129F form. It was almost useless. He would only say "I can't tell you what to put on the form" when I only wanted to know what they were looking for. (I now think that Cert #. only refers to Naturalization Certs, not BCs, but I could be wrong.) And, thanks for the e-mail addys, too.

Dan - Enjoy your trip! I extended my stay to be here for the upcoming 3-day weekend. I see you're from FL, too. It's nice that the trip to Colombia is shorter than many domestic flights and makes weekend visits possible, right?

SPSguy - I actually have a Vonage adapter here with me but no high-speed internet connection, so that option is out, too. If I really need to make that call, Skype is definitely an option as I *think* it'll work with the connection I have. Or so the Skype connection tests tell me.

[ryna 132]

Just an FYI-

Re: 785-330-1048

I called this number and received the following message: "You have reached a number that has been disconnected or is no longer in service"

[SPSguy 18]

Thanks everyone.

I was just looking at my NOA1 for the number(s). I only have (at best) a medium-speed connection here and the web sites load pretty slowly. I never saw the local number on the USCIS site.

And, it's unlikely because nothing has changed on the USCIS website for my case, but I've been out of the US for nearly 20 days and now that I know they only allow 30 days to respond to an RFE. With so many people with NOA1 dates similar to mine getting action, I'm starting to wonder if one awaits me upon my return with limited, or worse, no time left to respond. I was thinking maybe calling was an option, even to the automated system to see if that info differs in any way from the website.

Tony_SH - I have called them once, and spoke to a live person, about the birth certificate # on the I-129F form. It was almost useless. He would only say "I can't tell you what to put on the form" when I only wanted to know what they were looking for. (I now think that Cert #. only refers to Naturalization Certs, not BCs, but I could be wrong.) And, thanks for the e-mail addys, too.

Dan - Enjoy your trip! I extended my stay to be here for the upcoming 3-day weekend. I see you're from FL, too. It's nice that the trip to Colombia is shorter than many domestic flights and makes weekend visits possible, right?

SPSguy - I actually have a Vonage adapter here with me but no high-speed internet connection, so that option is out, too. If I really need to make that call, Skype is definitely an option as I *think* it'll work with the connection I have. Or so the Skype connection tests tell me.

Yep. I've tried magic jack and vonage. Neither works with a low speed connection. Skype is the way to go.

[ryna 132]

Another FYI - The 1-800# is reachable as a free call via Skype without purchasing a U.S. based number.

[TBoneTX 45,008]

A recent post on this same topic has been:

1) split from this old thread,

2) left here in the USCIS Service Centers forum, and

3) given the thread title "How to Phone USCIS from Outside the U.S.? [split topic]."

This old thread is now closed to further comment.

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