USCIS processes all the applications, petitions, or benefits requests filed with them at their offices called as USCIS Service Centers. Each of the Service centers is identified by a 3-digit code. The Service Center code is part of the 13-digit USCIS Case Receipt Number that is used to Check USCIS Case Status Online. In this article, we will review what are these USCIS service center and the entire list of the same with codes.
What are USCIS Service Centers? How many?
USCIS Service centers officially fall under the Service Center Operations Directorate(SCOPS). There are six service centers under SCOPS. They primarily process US immigration applications and petitions. They do not provide in-person services such as walk-in appointments, clarifying questions in person, or conducting immigration-related interviews.
USCIS service centers process applications or petitions filed either online, or mailed to the service centers directly, or filed with a USCIS Lockbox. Below is the list of six service centers
- Vermont Service Center
- California Service Center
- Potomac Service Center
- Nebraska Service Center
- Texas Service Center
- HART Service Center ( HART means Humanitarian, Adjustment, Removing Conditions & Travel Documents)
National Benefits Center is not a USCIS service center, but you would see that code in the USCIS Receipt Number.
There are many USCIS service centers across America. Each USCIS service center processes applications or benefits that satisfy a certain criterion. For instance, some of them process only applications filed from certain states, while some of them process only certain types of applications.
The idea behind having multiple service centers across the US is to make sure the USCIS workloads are balanced. Also, the USCIS workload is transferred between service centers as needed to balance load.
Complete List of USCIS Service Centers, their Codes
Each of these service centers’ short 3 digit code is part of the USCIS case receipt numbers, so that applicants know where their application or benefit is processed. Some of the USCIS service center codes refer to the old names of the Service Center and hence their abbreviation. Good example for this is EAC or ESC, where both refer to Vermont Service Center, but the code reflects the old names of the Vermont Service Center.
Below is the complete list of the USCIS service center names, their identification code, along with their abbreviations. Also, we have listed previous codes that were used for the same service center
| USCIS Service Centre Code | USCIS Service Center Abbreviation, previous info | Additional Info |
| VSC | Vermont Service Center | This is the current code that USCIS uses for Vermont Service Center |
| ESC | Easter Service Center, previous name for Vermont Service Center | ESC is the previous service center code for VSC, you may still find USCIS case numbers referring to this code. |
| EAC | Eastern Adjudication Center, previous name for Vermont Service Center | EAC is the previous service center code for VSC. You may also find USCIS case numbers still with this code. |
| CSC | California Service Center | Current code used for California Service Center |
| WSC | Western Service Center, previous name for California Service Center | WSC is the previous service center code for CSC |
| WAC | Western Adjudication Center, previous name for California Service Center | WAC is the previous service code for CSC. You may find USCIS case numbers still with this code. |
| NSC | Nebraska Service Center | Current service center code used for Nebraska Service Center |
| LIN | Lincoln Service Center, previous name for Nebraska Service Center | LIN is the previous service center code for NSC. You may find USCIS case numbers still have this old code. |
| TSC | Texas Service Center | Current code used for Texas Service Center |
| SSC | Southern Service Center, previous name for Texas Service Center | SSC is the old code used for TSC. You may find still USCIS Case Numbers use this code |
| SRC | Southern Regional Center, previous name for Texas Service Center | SRV is the previous service center code for TSC. You may still find case numbers with this code. |
| PSC | Potomac Service Center | This is the current service center code for Potomac Service Center |
| YSC | Potomac Service Center, previously used code for Potomac Service center | This is the previous service center code for Potomac Service Center, you will still find this code in USCIS case numbers that are processed at PSC. |
| NBC | National Benefits Center. This is technically not a Service Center, but you will see this code used in Receipt Numbers as they are processed at NBC | Current Service Center code for National Benefits Center |
| MSC | National Benefits Center, it is alternative and old code for National Benefits Center | MSC is the alternative code for National Benefits Center. Cases that start with MSC are processed at National Benefits Center(NBC) |
| IOE | Integrated Operating Environment. It is used for any electronic filings that are done using USCIS ELIS e-filing (ELIS – Electronic Immigration System). IOE is not really a Service Center location. | IOE is used for cases that were filed electronically or when the application was scanned in a service center. It is part of USCIS effort to modernize USCIS processing system from paper-based. You will see this for case numbers that are usually filed electronically using ELIS e-filing system. |
USCIS Service Centers Mailing Addresses
Below are the mailing address details of USCIS Service Centers
| Service Center | Mailing Address |
| Texas Service Cente | USCIS Texas Service Center 6046 N Belt Line Rd. STE 129 Irving, TX 75038-0013 |
| California Service Center | Primary Address: USCIS California Service Center 24000 Avila Road Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 Second PO Box Address : USCIS California Service Center P.O. Box 10130, Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-1012 Third PO Box Address: USCIS California Service Center P.O. Box 10825 Laguna Niguel, CA 92607 |
| Nebraska Service Center | Primary Address: USCIS Nebraska Service Center 850 ‘S’ Street Lincoln, NE 68508 Second PO Box Address: USCIS Nebraska Service Center P.O. Box 87245 Lincoln, NE 68501-7245 |
| Vermont Service Center | USCIS Vermont Service Center 38 River Road Essex Junction, VT 05479-0001 Second Address for Premium Processing: USCIS Vermont Service Center 30 River Road Essex Junction, VT 05452-3808 |
| Potomac Service Center | USCIS Potomac Service Center 2200 Potomac Center Dr. Arlington, VA 20598-2425 |
| HART Service Center | The HART Service Center is a 100% Virtual Service Center There is no physical location. You can read more at HART OVerview |
When you mail any of the above USCIS service centers, you will need to put in some more details in the address to be delivered properly. For example, if you are mailing an H1B Regular Cap Subject petition, you would put it as “Attn: I-129 H-1B Regular Cap”.
The above listed address are the physical location address that are used for mailing or visiting the service centers. You need to ensure to put in the right details related to the form you are mailing in the address to be delivered properly. You must check USCIS website pages related to that particular form.
Which Service Center is IOE?
IOE stands for Integrated Operating Environment. IOE is not a USCIS physical Service Center. When a case number starts with IOE, it does not mean that a physical USCIS service center processes it.
A case number of IOE is given by USCIS when the application/ petition was submitted electronically or if it was scanned and made it available electronically for further processing. IOE is instead a system developed by USCIS to process applications or petitions electronically.
See the screenshot below, which discusses IOE from the regulation published by USCIS & DHS. You can read more about IOE on the Federal Register Website.
Workload Transfer Between Service Centers
USCIS occasionally transfers cases between their Service Centers to balance the load. They inform the applicant that their benefit request or petition was transferred to a New Service Center. It is informed as by a document sent using physical mail. Also, the applicant can check the transfer of the application or petition online using the USCIS Online Case Status check webpage. USCIS also updates the public on their website regarding this on their workload transfer update page.
The applicant would see a status that says “Case Was Transferred And A New Office Has Jurisdiction” .Below is the screenshot of the same case Status you would see on the USCIS website if your case was transferred to a new service center.
