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 Service Center Operations Directorate(SCOPS). There are five service centers under SCOPS. They primarily process the applications and petitions related to US immigration. They do not provide any in-person services such as walk-in appointments, clarifying questions in-person, or conduct immigration-related interviews.
USCIS service centers process applications or petitions that are filed online mailed to the service centers directly or filed with a USCIS Lockbox. Below are the list of five service centers
- Vermont Service Center
- California Service Center
- Potomac Service Center
- Nebraska Service Center
- Texas Service Center
National Benefits Center is not a USCIS service centre, but you would see that code in USCIS Receipt Number.
There are many USCIS service centres across America. Each of the USCIS service centers 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 to have multiple service centers across 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. Below is the complete list of the USCIS service center names, their identification code and their abbreviations. Also, we have listed previous codes that were used for the same service ccenter
| 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 | Integrate Operation 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 as well. | IOE is used for cases that were filed electronically. 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. |
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.
