De welkomstbrief van NVC is nooit aangekomen: wat te doen?
If your NVC Welcome Letter never arrived, first check whether your approved petition has actually been transferred from USCIS to the National Visa Center, confirm that enough time has passed, review your spam folder and mailing address, and then contact the NVC if needed. The Welcome Letter contains your case number and invoice ID number, which you need to log in to CEAC and pay your fees. The letter can be delayed simply because the transfer from USCIS to the NVC takes time, so it makes sense to check the timing first, then your contact details.
This guide explains what to do when the NVC Welcome Letter does not arrive. It connects to our guides on what happens after you are documentarily qualified en how long NVC processing takes.
Your Welcome Letter has not arrived? Atlas Legal can help you check your case. Contact our team.
Belangrijkste opmerkingen
- The Welcome Letter contains your case number and invoice ID number.
- You need this information to pay fees in CEAC.
- The letter can be delayed because the case transfer takes time.
- Check your case transfer and how much time has passed first.
- If needed, verify your spam folder and address, then contact the NVC.
What This Guide Covers
- What the Welcome Letter is
- Why it can be delayed
- What to check first
- How to contact the NVC
- After you receive it
- Frequently asked questions
What the Welcome Letter Is
The Welcome Letter is the first notice the NVC sends after your petition is approved and the case reaches the National Visa Center. It generally arrives by email or mail and contains your case number and invoice ID number. You need this information to log in to the CEAC online system, pay the required fees, and begin the process.
Because of this, the Welcome Letter is the starting point of the NVC stage. Without it, accessing your account in CEAC and paying fees is difficult, so a missing letter can hold up your case.
Why It Can Be Delayed
The most common reason a Welcome Letter is delayed is that transferring the case from USCIS to the NVC takes time. After your petition is approved, it takes a while for the file to reach the NVC and be processed, so you should not expect a letter immediately.
Other reasons include the email landing in a spam or junk folder, an incorrect or outdated address on file, or general processing volume. This is why, when the letter does not arrive, it makes sense to check the timing first, then your contact details.
What to Check First
When the Welcome Letter has not arrived, there are a few simple checks. These help you understand whether the case has actually reached the NVC and whether enough time has passed.
| Controleer | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Case transfer | Confirms the file reached the NVC from USCIS |
| Time elapsed | Transfer takes time, so avoid checking too early |
| Spam/junk folder | Make sure you did not miss an email notice |
| Address on file | Confirm the address in your records is correct |
After these checks, if there is still no letter and enough time has passed, contacting the NVC directly is appropriate. Our guide on making a USCIS service request covers related situations.
Not sure your case reached the NVC? Ask Atlas Legal.
How to Contact the NVC
After doing these checks and allowing enough time, if you still have not received the Welcome Letter, you can contact the NVC. The NVC has designated contact methods, and having identifying information such as your case number or petition approval details ready helps.
When you contact them, explain your situation clearly and state that you have not received the letter or your invoice ID number. The NVC can confirm your case status and provide the needed information. Making sure your contact details are current also prevents future delays.
After You Receive It
Once you receive the Welcome Letter or your case number and invoice ID number, you can log in to CEAC and begin the process. This generally involves paying the required fees, completing the DS-260 form, and uploading the requested civil documents and financial support documents.
After you complete these steps, the NVC reviews your documents, and your case can move toward documentarily qualified status once it is complete. Keeping the process organized and complete avoids delays. See our documentarily qualified guide for the next major stage.
When to Work With an Immigration Attorney
NVC communication and timing can be confusing. Legal help is valuable when you are unsure whether your case was transferred, when you experience a long delay, when there is a problem with your contact details, or when you want to understand how the process will proceed. An attorney can help you track your case status and take the right steps. Outcomes depend on the facts of each case.
Veelgestelde vragen
What is the NVC Welcome Letter?
The Welcome Letter is the first notice the NVC sends after your petition is approved and the case reaches the National Visa Center. It generally arrives by email or mail and contains your case number and invoice ID number. You need this information to log in to the CEAC online system, pay the required fees, and begin the immigrant visa process. Because of this, the Welcome Letter is the starting point of the NVC stage, and without it, accessing your account and paying fees becomes difficult.
Why did my Welcome Letter not arrive?
The most common reason is that transferring the case from USCIS to the NVC takes time; after your petition is approved, it takes a while for the file to reach the NVC and be processed. Other reasons include the email landing in a spam or junk folder, an incorrect address on file, or general processing volume. This is why, when the letter does not arrive, it makes sense to check first whether enough time has passed and whether the case was transferred, then verify your contact details.
How long should I wait for the Welcome Letter?
There is no fixed time, because the transfer from USCIS to the NVC and its processing take time, and processing times vary. So you should not expect a letter immediately after petition approval. Once a reasonable time has passed and you still have no letter, it is appropriate to check whether the case was transferred and, if needed, contact the NVC. Checking current processing times helps you understand how long a wait is reasonable for your situation before following up.
Can I pay fees without the Welcome Letter?
Paying fees and starting the process generally requires the case number and invoice ID number, which the Welcome Letter provides. Without this information, logging in to CEAC and paying fees is difficult. So when the letter does not arrive, the priority is obtaining your case number and invoice ID number. Once you have that information, you can log in to CEAC, pay the fees, and begin submitting documents. Contact the NVC when needed to obtain the information.
How do I contact the NVC?
After completing your checks and allowing enough time, if you still have not received the letter, you can use the NVC’s designated contact methods. Having identifying information such as your case number or petition approval details ready helps. Explain your situation clearly and state that you have not received the letter or your invoice ID number. The NVC can confirm your case status. Making sure your contact details are current also prevents future delays with important notices.
Could a wrong address have caused me to miss it?
Yes. An incorrect or outdated address on file can cause you to miss a letter sent by mail, and email notices can land in a spam or junk folder. This is why, when the letter does not arrive, it is important to check your spam folder and confirm the contact information in your records is correct. Keeping your address current is critical so you do not miss this letter or future important notices about your case.
What should I do after the Welcome Letter arrives?
Once you receive the Welcome Letter or your case number and invoice ID number, you can log in to CEAC to begin the process. This generally involves paying the required fees, completing the DS-260 form, and uploading the requested civil and financial support documents. After you complete these steps, the NVC reviews your documents, and your case can move toward documentarily qualified status once complete. Keeping the process organized and thorough avoids delays and moves you toward the interview stage.
Does the delay hurt my case?
A delayed Welcome Letter usually results from normal causes like transfer time and does not harm your case on the merits. However, not being able to start the process can waste time, so it is important to follow up to avoid unnecessary delays. If the letter takes a long time, confirming the case was transferred and contacting the NVC helps move things forward. In short, short delays are normal, but a long delay is worth investigating.
Conclusie
When the NVC Welcome Letter does not arrive, first check whether the case was transferred and whether enough time has passed, then verify your spam folder and address, and contact the NVC if needed. The letter, with your case number and invoice ID, lets you start the process. Each case depends on its own facts.
If you need help with your NVC process, Atlas Legal Immigration Law can help. Reach us at 1750 E Golf Rd Ste 214, Schaumburg, IL 60173, call (+1) 872 382 2762, or email info@theatlaslegal.com. Learn more on our services page.
Reviewed by the Atlas Legal Immigration Law editorial team. Last reviewed on July 30, 2026.
Sources
- U.S. Department of State, National Visa Center
- U.S. Department of State, National Visa Center Contact
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS Customer Guides
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws, government fees, policies, and processing times may change. Reading this article or contacting Atlas Legal does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship. The outcome of any immigration matter depends on its individual facts and circumstances.
