Department of State Launches IV Scheduling Status Tool in May 2025 - Will this be a Game Changer for Immigrant Visa Applicants?

For individuals and families seeking to immigrate to the United States, one of the most uncertain and emotionally taxing phases is waiting for the visa interview. With thousands of applicants processed across various U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, understanding when your case will be scheduled for interview is crucial not just for peace of mind, but also for effective planning.

In a welcome move, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) launched the Immigrant Visa (IV) Scheduling Status Tool in May 2025. This online tool aims to provide greater transparency and predictability for immigrant visa applicants, offering insight into when the National Visa Center (NVC) is currently scheduling interviews for cases that have been deemed “documentarily complete.”

What Does the IV Scheduling Status Tool Do?

The tool allows applicants to:

• Select the U.S. embassy or consulate where their case will be processed.

• Choose a visa category, such as:

  • Immediate Relative

  • Family-Sponsored Preference

  • Employment-Based Preference

• View the month and year of documentarily complete cases that are currently being scheduled for interviews at their chosen post.

This gives applicants a realistic idea of when they might expect their interview notification and helps them plan their travel, documentation, and other logistics accordingly.

A Shift from the Past

Until recently, many U.S. consular posts used to publish monthly PDF bulletins listing case statuses and scheduling timelines for immigrant visas (for upcoming 3 months). These updates, typically posted on consular websites, were an invaluable reference point for applicants and immigration attorneys alike. Over time, however, these PDF updates were discontinued or inconsistently posted, leaving applicants in the dark.

With little to no official guidance, many turned to online forums or relied on immigration professionals to track timelines and predict interview dates based on anecdotal evidence.

The new IV Scheduling Status Tool, if kept up to date, could bridge this long-standing information gap and provide much-needed clarity to thousands of applicants globally.

Key Notes and Limitations

While the tool is welcome advancement, it’s important to understand its scope:

• It does not provide specific interview dates only scheduling trends based on case completion.

• It does not include certain visa categories such as:

  • Diversity Visas (DV)

  • Afghan Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs)

  • I-601A Provisional Waiver cases

  • Intercountry adoption cases

• The information is updated monthly, and the timelines may vary based on consular workload, local conditions, and operational capacities.

Accessing the Tool

Applicants can explore the IV Scheduling Status Tool here: 🔗 IV Scheduling Status Tool – travel.state.gov

Final Thoughts

If updated consistently, the IV Scheduling Status Tool will be a valuable resource for applicants navigating the immigrant visa process. It offers a streamlined, transparent way to monitor progress and better prepare for the interview phase, one of the final and most critical steps in the immigration journey.

Applicants and their families can now approach this phase with more certainty, less stress, and the ability to plan their move to the U.S. in a timely and well-informed manner.

How Can We Help?

If you need any assistance with the immigrant visa process filing Form I-130, submitting documents to the NVC, preparing for the immigrant visa interview or respond to queries from the consular posts or present legal arguments on visa eligibility our experienced team is here to help. You can reach us through:

🌐 Website: www.thevisacode.com 

📧 Email: info@thevisacode.com 

📱 WhatsApp: +91.824.858.3284