Asylum notices and immigration court guidance
Start with the paper you received or the problem you need to verify.
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This guide preserves the page’s explanations and conditional next steps. It does not carry current filters, individual case information or a provider directory export.
I received a document
Choose the title printed on your document. Learn what it generally means, what details to look at and which official record to check.
Notice to Appear (Form I-862)
DHS uses an NTA to set out allegations and legal charges for removal proceedings. The document starts a process; it is not a finding that every allegation is true or a final removal order.
Notice of Hearing
A hearing notice tells you about a scheduled immigration-court appearance. It can set or change the date, location, time or hearing format.
Immigration Judge order or decision
An order records a judge’s decision or direction. It may address the case, an application, scheduling or a procedural request; the title alone may not tell you the full result.
BIA decision
The Board of Immigration Appeals can decide an appeal or motion. The result describes that matter; it does not always resolve every issue in a person’s immigration history.
EOIR-33 address/contact form
EOIR-33/IC updates contact information for immigration court; EOIR-33/BIA is for the Board. The form is not a request to transfer proceedings to a different court.
A different letter?
Locate the issuer, form number, subject, issue date and any requested action. An EOIR court letter, USCIS receipt and ICE appointment notice use different systems.
What to verify when a letter is unclearSomething seems wrong
Choose the problem you face, then see what to check, which records to gather and which official source to use.
A general immigration-court case path
These are common stages; the notices and orders in an individual matter determine its actual path.
1. Charging document and court record
DHS serves a charging document and files it with the immigration court. The NTA describes allegations and charges; hearing information may also arrive in a separate notice.
2. Master calendar hearing
This hearing generally addresses preliminary matters, issues in dispute, scheduling and filing deadlines. It is different from the later hearing on contested evidence.
3. Individual calendar hearing
The court hears contested matters and evidence. Read the judge’s scheduling instructions and keep track of the notices and submissions in the record.
4. Order and possible further proceedings
A decision may resolve an application or direct more proceedings. Appeals, motions, remands and venue changes can create additional stages; they do not all mean the same thing.
Official information
Go straight to the official system for your court, forms, case information or asylum clock.
Court case information
EOIR offers automated case information online and by phone at 1-800-898-7180 or 304-625-2050. Have your own case reference available for the official system; AsylumCompass does not collect it. Court documents are the official source and some cases have limited automated detail.
Court location and operation
Verify the court name, address, contact details and operational status through EOIR’s directory.
Contact changes and official forms
Use the form for the court or Board handling the matter, following its submission and service instructions.
Asylum clock questions
EOIR provides a correction-request process and explains how the route varies with the current stage of the matter.