United States Visa and Immigration Guide

USCIS vs. CEAC: Which Official US Visa Portal Do You Need?

Applying for a US visa, green card or immigration benefit can be confusing because the United States uses different government systems. Two important platforms are USCIS, operated by US Citizenship and Immigration Services, and CEAC, the Consular Electronic Application Center operated by the US Department of State.

These portals serve different purposes. USCIS handles immigration petitions, applications and benefits under its jurisdiction. CEAC supports consular visa applications, including the DS-160 for many temporary visas and DS-260 for immigrant visas, as well as certain visa payments, document processing and case-status checks.

Official portals: USCIS.gov and CEAC.state.gov.

What Is USCIS?

US Citizenship and Immigration Services is a component of the US Department of Homeland Security. It processes many immigration petitions, applications for immigration benefits, employment authorization requests, adjustment of status applications and naturalization applications.

Through USCIS online services, eligible applicants and petitioners can:

File certain immigration forms electronically.
Pay applicable USCIS filing fees.
Track applications and petitions using a USCIS receipt number.
Receive notices and respond to evidence requests when the online system supports the case.
Manage eligible immigration benefit applications.

Not every USCIS form can be filed online. Applicants should check the official form instructions before selecting an electronic or paper filing method.

Official account: my.uscis.gov

What Is CEAC?

The Consular Electronic Application Center is operated by the US Department of State. It supports visa-related applications and processing through US embassies and consulates.

CEAC provides services including:

Completing Form DS-160 for most nonimmigrant visa applications.
Completing Form DS-260 for immigrant visa applications.
Accessing certain immigrant visa cases processed through the National Visa Center.
Paying applicable immigrant visa processing fees when instructed.
Submitting required immigrant visa documents in eligible cases.
Checking visa application status.

Submitting an online visa form does not automatically mean that the visa has been approved. Applicants must complete the applicable fee, appointment, interview and other requirements.

Official portal: Consular Electronic Application Center

USCIS vs CEAC: Key Differences

Feature	USCIS	CEAC
Government authority	Department of Homeland Security	Department of State
Primary purpose	Immigration petitions and benefit applications	Consular visa applications and processing
Common forms	I-130, I-129, I-485, I-765 and N-400, where applicable	DS-160 and DS-260
Case identification	USCIS receipt number	Visa application ID or consular case number, depending on the service
Official website	uscis.gov	ceac.state.gov

Which Portal Should You Use for Your US Visa?

Tourist or Business Visa: B-1/B-2

Applicants normally complete Form DS-160 through CEAC. After submission, follow the relevant US embassy or consulate instructions for visa fees and appointments. A DS-160 confirmation alone does not complete the process.

Student Visa: F-1 or M-1

Eligible student visa applicants generally complete DS-160 through CEAC after receiving the appropriate school documentation. They must also follow the applicable SEVIS fee, visa fee and consular appointment requirements.

Temporary Employment Visa: H-1B or Certain Other Categories

Many employment visa categories involve a petition filed with USCIS by an eligible US employer. After the applicable petition stage, applicants seeking a visa abroad generally follow Department of State consular procedures, including DS-160 where required.

Family-Based Immigrant Visa

Many cases begin with a petition such as Form I-130 filed with USCIS. After petition approval and transfer to the National Visa Center, eligible applicants proceed through CEAC to pay required fees, submit DS-260 and provide supporting documents.

Green Card Through Adjustment of Status

Eligible applicants already in the United States may apply for adjustment of status through USCIS using Form I-485. This is different from obtaining an immigrant visa through a US embassy or consulate abroad.

The correct procedure depends on the visa classification, location and individual circumstances. Certain categories have additional requirements or exceptions.

How to Use the USCIS Online Portal

Visit the official website: Open USCIS.gov.
Choose the appropriate immigration form: Check the eligibility criteria and official instructions for the benefit or petition.
Check filing options: Determine whether the form can be submitted online or must be mailed.
Create an account if needed: Register through the official USCIS online account service.
Complete the form: Provide accurate personal, employment, family or immigration details as applicable.
Upload evidence: Submit supporting documents according to the official checklist.
Pay the applicable fee: Use the official payment process and verify the current fee.
Save your receipt: Retain the USCIS receipt number and notices.
Monitor the case: Use USCIS Case Status Online and respond to official requests by their deadlines.

Official USCIS case tracker: USCIS Case Status Online

How to Apply for a Nonimmigrant Visa Using CEAC DS-160

Open CEAC: Visit the official Consular Electronic Application Center.
Select DS-160: Choose the nonimmigrant visa application service.
Select your application location: Choose the appropriate US embassy or consulate location.
Save the application ID: Record the ID and security information needed to retrieve the application.
Complete the application: Enter your identity, travel, employment, education and other requested information accurately.
Review and submit: Check all answers before electronically signing and submitting the form.
Save the barcode confirmation: Print or save the DS-160 confirmation page.
Follow appointment instructions: Pay the applicable visa fee and schedule an appointment using the system designated by the embassy or consulate.
Attend the interview if required: Bring the required documents and follow consular instructions.

CEAC is used to complete DS-160, but visa appointment scheduling and payment procedures can be handled through separate country-specific systems. Follow official embassy guidance rather than assuming CEAC schedules every appointment.

Official DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application

How to Use CEAC for an Immigrant Visa: DS-260

Many immigrant visa applications proceed through the National Visa Center after USCIS approves the underlying petition. The exact steps depend on the visa category.

Wait for NVC instructions: After the petition is transferred, NVC creates a case and sends instructions when appropriate.
Locate your case details: Keep the NVC case number and invoice ID or other required access details.
Sign in to CEAC: Access the immigrant visa section through the official government website.
Pay required fees: Follow the payment instructions for your case.
Complete DS-260: Submit the immigrant visa application when the system allows you to proceed.
Prepare supporting evidence: Provide civil documents, financial evidence and an Affidavit of Support where applicable.
Submit documents: Follow NVC instructions for uploading or providing the required records.
Monitor case messages: Respond to document requests or corrections.
Prepare for the interview: Follow instructions from NVC and the designated US embassy or consulate.

Diversity Visa applicants have a separate selection and case process. They should follow the official Diversity Visa instructions rather than assuming the ordinary petition-based NVC workflow applies.

Official immigrant visa portal: CEAC Immigrant Visa Sign-In

USCIS Receipt Number vs CEAC Case Number

These identifiers are not interchangeable.

USCIS receipt number: Typically a 13-character identifier consisting of three letters followed by ten numbers. It is used to track a USCIS petition or application.
CEAC or NVC case number: Used for the relevant consular immigrant visa case.
DS-160 application ID: Used to retrieve and manage a nonimmigrant visa application.
Invoice ID: May be required along with the case number to access certain NVC immigrant visa functions.

If your USCIS petition has been approved and transferred to NVC, the USCIS receipt number does not automatically replace the NVC case number for CEAC access.

How to Check US Visa or Immigration Case Status

Check USCIS Case Status

Visit USCIS Case Status Online and enter the receipt number associated with the petition or benefit application.

Check Consular Visa Status

Visit CEAC Visa Status Check and choose the appropriate immigrant or nonimmigrant visa category.

A status message should be interpreted according to the relevant agency's instructions. Processing times vary, and a pending status does not necessarily indicate approval or refusal.

How to Avoid Fake USCIS and CEAC Websites

Immigration scams may imitate official government portals, demand unauthorized fees or promise guaranteed visa approvals.

Use uscis.gov, ceac.state.gov and travel.state.gov for the relevant official services.
Check the complete website address before entering personal details.
Do not assume that HTTPS alone proves a website is genuine.
Avoid agents claiming they can guarantee visas, green cards or expedited approvals.
Never share account passwords, verification codes or sensitive documents with unverified contacts.
Pay only through the method specified by the relevant government service.
Check official fee information instead of trusting unsolicited payment requests.
Be cautious of fake appointment confirmations, forged approval notices and impersonation emails.

Official fraud prevention guidance: USCIS – Avoid Scams

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Trying to file Form DS-160 through a USCIS online account.
Trying to file Form I-130 through CEAC.
Using a USCIS receipt number as though it were an NVC case number.
Assuming an approved USCIS petition guarantees visa issuance.
Submitting DS-160 without completing required consular appointment procedures.
Using incorrect or outdated immigration forms.
Paying fees through an unofficial website.
Ignoring messages or document requests from the responsible government agency.

Official US Immigration and Visa Links

US Citizenship and Immigration Services — immigration petitions and benefits.
USCIS Online Account — eligible electronic filings and account services.
USCIS Case Status Online — petition and application tracking.
Consular Electronic Application Center — official visa application portal.
DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application — temporary visa application form.
CEAC Immigrant Visa Portal — immigrant visa case services.
CEAC Visa Status Tracker — consular visa status.
US Department of State – Visa Information — visa categories and consular instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are USCIS and CEAC the same portal?

No. USCIS is part of the Department of Homeland Security, while CEAC is operated by the Department of State. They handle different stages and types of immigration and visa processing.

2. Which portal should I use for a US tourist visa?

Most B-1/B-2 applicants complete Form DS-160 through CEAC and follow their embassy or consulate's appointment and fee instructions.

3. Which portal should I use for a US student visa?

F-1 and M-1 visa applicants generally complete DS-160 through CEAC and follow additional student visa requirements, including applicable SEVIS and appointment procedures.

4. Is CEAC used for green card applications?

CEAC is used for many immigrant visa cases processed through US embassies and consulates. Adjustment of status applications made by eligible people inside the United States are handled through USCIS.

5. What happens after USCIS approves Form I-130?

For many consular immigrant visa cases, the approved petition is transferred to the National Visa Center. The applicant then follows NVC instructions and uses CEAC for the applicable immigrant visa steps.

6. Can I use my USCIS receipt number to log in to CEAC?

Generally no. CEAC immigrant visa access uses the relevant consular or NVC case details, while USCIS case tracking uses the USCIS receipt number.

7. Does submitting DS-160 or DS-260 guarantee visa approval?

No. A completed application is only part of the process. Visa eligibility and issuance are determined under applicable US immigration law and consular procedures.

8. Where can I safely check my US visa status?

Use the official CEAC visa status tracker for applicable consular cases or USCIS Case Status Online for USCIS petitions and applications.