Speaking to a human being on the USCIS phone system

[EllinDiasporas 1]

Dear VJ members,

I'm writing about a matter that seems to have troubled a bunch of people in here. Quite simply: How does one

get hold of a CSR on the USCIS phone system ?

There seem to have been plenty other posts on this matter, with various suggestions but none seem to work right now.

The simplest way to go was this strange little trick of doing nothing and having a Spanish-speaking rep. come on, at which

point you would request English. This doesn't seem to work anymore.

Note that I'm in Athens, Greece right now. The only way I can call their 1-800 # is via Skype but I don't think this is a problem.

I actually called up USCIS at the Embassy in Athens and, as polite as they were, they had nothing to offer, simply emphasizing

that it's "The US government's policy to not allow easy access to personnel on these systems".

All I want to do is speak to an ISO to resend me NOA2 on a recently approved K-1 Fiancee petition. The original NOA2 was

declared undeliverable. I happened to have a forwarding order with USPS on all my mail, as I wasn't aware that mail with

"return service requested" (e.g. government mail) cannot be forwarded and is returned to sender. I've received lots of super-helpful

feedback here on this matter but the challenge now is to speak to a person.

If anyone has any insight on how to find a real human being on this system please let me know.

Many thanks in advance !

[stevie b 141]

when you call uscis.. don't press any numbers, just wait for someone to answer.. that will be the Spanish line

[Guera 0]

I called yesterday and got through very easily by pressing 1,1,1,2,2 :)I hope this helps.

[EllinDiasporas 1]

Thank you so much to both of you for getting back to me !

Unfortunately, the option of just waiting and then a Spanish-speaking rep. coming on does not seem to work.

It just tells me in both English & Spanish that if I've called from a rotary phone to call back during working hours and speak

with a rep. ... Then it hangs up

As to the 1-1-1-2-2 option, I tried it but right when I hit "2" after 1-1-1-2, it told me that "2" is an unknown option. Ughhh ...

It's driving me nuts but I sincerely appreciate your feedback.

[h_m 12]

I can't remember the exact numbers for this but I always get to a rep by doing this once at the main menu:

1) Check case status (#1)

2) Yes, I know the receipt number (#1)

3) Enter receipt number, let the machine check and tell you the status

4) Select the option that talks about a problem with your case and that you need to speak with a customer service representative (#3? Listen to the options here because I don't remember the number here)

That should get you to a Tier 1 rep. Ask to be transferred to a Tier 2 rep and they'll confirm that you want to be transferred, and you'll likely have to be on hold for quite some time since I'm guessing the callback option won't work for Skype calls.

[h_m 12]

Alright, it should be:

1-800-375-5283

Press 1-1-1-1 then enter receipt number, then press 1 then 3. That should connect you to a rep. Then ask for a Tier 2 rep.

[stevie b 141]

Thank you so much to both of you for getting back to me !

Unfortunately, the option of just waiting and then a Spanish-speaking rep. coming on does not seem to work.

It just tells me in both English & Spanish that if I've called from a rotary phone to call back during working hours and speak

with a rep. ... Then it hangs up

As to the 1-1-1-2-2 option, I tried it but right when I hit "2" after 1-1-1-2, it told me that "2" is an unknown option. Ughhh ...

It's driving me nuts but I sincerely appreciate your feedback.

if you get that message, you are calling when they are closed

[EllinDiasporas 1]

Thank you for the feedback,

I sincerely appreciate it. I went ahead and followed your recommendation.

After 1-1-1-1 and entering the receipt number, I enter 1. It gives me the option to enter 1 or 2. When I press "3"

at that point I get "The key that you press is not a valid choice on this menu". I'll do this before or after it has

me go through the whole speech it gives me on how I can contact them electronically.

So I remain frustrated ... ... I honestly appreciate the help though.

Thank you Stevie,

That's an interesting point. I've called between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. EST. Do they operate on West Coast time ?

[stevie b 141]

Thank you for the feedback,

I sincerely appreciate it. I went ahead and followed your recommendation.

After 1-1-1-1 and entering the receipt number, I enter 1. It gives me the option to enter 1 or 2. When I press "3"

at that point I get "The key that you press is not a valid choice on this menu". I'll do this before or after it has

me go through the whole speech it gives me on how I can contact them electronically.

So I remain frustrated ... ... I honestly appreciate the help though.

Thank you Stevie,

That's an interesting point. I've called between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. EST. Do they operate on West Coast time ?

I have always had that issue calling before 8am west coast time, so regardless of where they are located, I have since used west coast times and have had no issues getting someone on the phone

if you have a Skype call back number, after you are transferred to the IO, leave your call back number on the recording and you don't lose your place in line

its after 8am west coast time btw

[EllinDiasporas 1]

Got it ! And thank you ! ... I actually have to run out for an errand now (I'm 10 hrs ahead of the West Coast here in Greece) but will call them when I get back in.

I'll let you know what happened.

Thank you *so* much !

[h_m 12]

Thank you for the feedback,

I sincerely appreciate it. I went ahead and followed your recommendation.

After 1-1-1-1 and entering the receipt number, I enter 1. It gives me the option to enter 1 or 2. When I press "3"

at that point I get "The key that you press is not a valid choice on this menu". I'll do this before or after it has

me go through the whole speech it gives me on how I can contact them electronically.

So I remain frustrated ... ... I honestly appreciate the help though.

Thank you Stevie,

That's an interesting point. I've called between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. EST. Do they operate on West Coast time ?

Hope you're able to get through to them. After they play you the message that tells you your case status there should be an option for reporting a problem with your case. Maybe it's not "3" but I thought it was!

[EllinDiasporas 1]

It worked ! Both of you guys were right !

It seems that it's best to call them at 8 a.m. and onward PST. Moreover, when I called them back, the magic "3" option came on and I was put in contact with a CSR.

She actually was incredibly more capable than her predecessors, so we went ahead and made the address change to have the NOA2 hardcopy resent to my friend's address.

I guess now we have to wait for USCIS to send the package to NVC. I thought this took a couple of weeks but it seems to be longer. I'll check with a tier-2 ISO tomorrow.

Many thanks to both of you and have a fantastic day !

[JBForever 12]

i'm sorry but i failed to follow. how do you get to a tier 2 rep again?

my fiance had been calling uscis several times already to follow up our case status as it is near 1 year already and we still havent received a noa2. We only saw it showing that our address changed on june 15 but since then, nothing else. (and my fiance never changed his address!!!!) Some told us this means we would receive the noa 2 soon but its been almost a month and still nothing. whenever my fiance tries to ask a tier 1 to transfer him to a tier 2 to find out what is up, they only tell him they would say the same thing and have him wait further. we are so helpless.....

[van1234essa 11]

i'm sorry but i failed to follow. how do you get to a tier 2 rep again?

my fiance had been calling uscis several times already to follow up our case status as it is near 1 year already and we still havent received a noa2. We only saw it showing that our address changed on june 15 but since then, nothing else. (and my fiance never changed his address!!!!) Some told us this means we would receive the noa 2 soon but its been almost a month and still nothing. whenever my fiance tries to ask a tier 1 to transfer him to a tier 2 to find out what is up, they only tell him they would say the same thing and have him wait further. we are so helpless.....

Edited July 12, 2013 by van1234essa

[van1234essa 11]

i'm sorry but i failed to follow. how do you get to a tier 2 rep again?

my fiance had been calling uscis several times already to follow up our case status as it is near 1 year already and we still havent received a noa2. We only saw it showing that our address changed on june 15 but since then, nothing else. (and my fiance never changed his address!!!!) Some told us this means we would receive the noa 2 soon but its been almost a month and still nothing. whenever my fiance tries to ask a tier 1 to transfer him to a tier 2 to find out what is up, they only tell him they would say the same thing and have him wait further. we are so helpless.....

Mh we didn't have a problem with getting a tier 2 IO on the phone. If they tell you it's pointless to talk to a tier 2 cuz he would tell you the same and you'll only wait then politely tell them that you gladly will wait for an hour to hear the same thing from a tier 2 and that you don't mind waiting. Those people aren't known for being very friendly so stay persistent and insist on talking to a tier 2. But always stay friendly (I know it's hard sometimes!) I wish you the best of luck!