Northern Virginia Immigration Court: Complete Visitor Guide for Annandale

The Northern Virginia Immigration Court relocated in October 2022 to its current address at 7619 Little River Turnpike, Suite 400, Annandale, VA 22003, officially replacing the former Arlington Immigration Court. This comprehensive guide provides everything attorneys and respondents need to know before visiting the Annadale court—including location details, contact information, parking, security procedures, remote hearing access, and interpreter services.

Court Location, Contact Information, and Operating Hours

Serving as the primary immigration court for Northern Virginia, the Annandale Immigration Court inherited the “WAS” docket designation from the legacy Arlington court. The court is housed in a commercial office building on Little River Turnpike and is easily accessible from both I-495 (Capital Beltway) and I-66.

Official Contact Information:

Address: 7619 Little River Turnpike, Suite 400, Annandale, VA 22003
Main Phone: 703-343-4000
General Email: [email protected]
Asylum EAD Clock Requests: [email protected]
Case Status Hotline: 1-800-898-7180 (TDD: 1-800-828-1120)

Operating Hours:

Public Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Window Filing Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Elevator Access: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Visitors are not permitted once security staff leave the premises.)
Closed: All federal holidays

Please note that the court does not accept faxes unless specifically requested by court staff or an immigration judge. Hours of operation may change due to inclement weather or emergencies. For real-time updates, consult the EOIR Operational Status page at justice.gov/eoir/immigration-court-operational-status for updates.

The October 2022 Relocation from Arlington to Annandale

The Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) officially announced the relocation of the Arlington Immigration Court in a notice dated September 9, 2022. The direct notice is available here: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/page/file/1533841/dl

EOIR outlined the following transition timeline: At noon on October 6, 2022, Arlington Immigration Court ended normal operations to prepare for the move. Staff remained at the Arlington site to accept phone calls and filings until October 17, 2022. All hearings scheduled at Arlington after October 5, 2022, were automatically rescheduled to the new Annandale Immigration Court. On October 17, 2022, hearings commenced at Annandale, the filing window and phone lines opened, and Arlington Immigration Court officially closed. The court was also formally renamed from “Arlington Immigration Court” to “Annandale Immigration Court.”

To help manage caseloads, Virginia previously established a second court—the Sterling Immigration Court, located at 21400 Ridgetop Circle, Suite 200, Sterling, VA 20166 (phone: 703-674-4600). Together, these two courts now handle all immigration matters that were once heard in Arlington.

Parking Options: Free and Plentiful

Unlike many immigration courts in urban areas, the Annandale Immigration Court offers free parking for all visitors. This is a significant benefit for attorneys and their clients.

Available parking includes surface parking lots with both 2-hour limited spaces and restricted spaces, plus an on-site parking garage. There are no meters or parking fees, and arriving before 8:30 a.m. typically provides the best chance of securing a space near the main entrance.

For driving directions, the court is located on Little River Turnpike (Route 236). From I-495 (Capital Beltway), take Exit 52A for Route 236 East (Little River Turnpike). From I-66, exit at Gallows Road and proceed south to Little River Turnpike, then head east.

Security Screening: 10-15 Minutes

All visitors must complete security screening upon entering the building. Security checkpoints are located on all three floors of the commercial office building.

What to expect: All visitors pass through a metal detector (magnetometer). All bags and personal belongings are X-rayed. Shoes may need to be removed for additional screening. If primary screening is not cleared, a secondary inspection may include hand-wanding and a second shoe X-ray.

Prohibited items include:

Cameras and recording devices (strictly prohibited in courtrooms and EOIR spaces)
Food and beverages (unless expressly allowed by the immigration judge)
Weapons and sharp objects (knives, scissors, nail clippers, knitting needles, etc.)

Allowed items:

Cell phones (recording is prohibited inside the courtroom).
Electronic devices for attorney scheduling and professional use.
All case-related documents and paperwork.

Under normal conditions, security takes 10–15 minutes, but during peak morning hours—when multiple master calendar hearings are scheduled—it may take 20–30 minutes.

Day-of Arrival Strategy and What to Bring

It is crucial to arrive at your immigration court hearing fully prepared. The stakes are high—if you’re not present when your case is called, you may receive a removal order in absentia.

Recommended arrival time: Plan to arrive 30 minutes to 1 hour before your scheduled hearing. Master calendar hearings typically involve multiple respondents at the same time, meaning that even if your hearing lasts only 15–20 minutes, you may wait several hours before your case is called. As a rule of thumb, budget up to 4 hours for your visit to the courthouse.

Peak traffic hours inside the building occur between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., when most master calendar hearings are held.

Essential items to bring:

Notice to Appear (NTA) or hearing notice
Government-issued photo ID
All documents relevant to your case
Copies of any applications already filed
Supporting evidence and exhibits
Pen and paper for taking notes

Dress code recommendations: Professional appearance is strongly recommended. Business attire or formal “church attire” helps convey respect for the court and ensures you are taken seriously. For men, this means suit and tie (recommended), dress pants, button-down shirts, or collared polos. Women should wear modest dresses or skirts that fall at or below the knee, along with dress pants and blouses. Wear dress shoes or closed-toe shoes in neutral colors like navy, gray, or black.

Avoid wearing jeans (especially ripped), t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, flip-flops, sneakers, athletic wear, revealing clothing, items with logos or offensive text, gang-related attire, or hats (unless required for religious reasons). Religious and culturally appropriate garments are permitted if they are clean, well-fitting, and conservative.

How to Request Interpreter Services

Under 8 C.F.R. § 1003.22, interpreters are provided at government expense for individuals whose English proficiency is insufficient to understand or participate fully in removal proceedings.

Types of interpreters available: EOIR employs staff interpreters (primarily for Spanish and Mandarin Chinese) and contracted language service providers, such as Lionbridge Global Services, for all other languages, including Indigenous languages (e.g., Mayan dialects), American Sign Language (ASL), and other sign languages.

How to request an interpreter: The preferred method is to make an oral motion at your Master Calendar Hearing. Alternatively, you may submit a written motion labeled “MOTION TO REQUEST AN INTERPRETER.” The motion should include the requested language (including spelling variations), the specific dialect, the geographic region where the dialect is spoken, all languages the respondent or witness understands or speaks, and any additional information that may help EOIR assign an appropriate interpreter.

Timing: There is no strict deadline, but interpreter requests should be submitted as early as possible—ideally at or before the Master Calendar Hearing—to ensure interpreter availability. EOIR schedules interpreters for both Master Calendar and Individual Hearings.

If you experience issues with an interpreter, EOIR accepts formal complaints. You will need the interpreter’s name, the presiding immigration judge’s name, the hearing date/time/location, a statement explaining the concern, and your contact information. Submit complaints through the EOIR website at the following link: justice.gov/eoir/filing-a-complaint-regarding-an-immigration-court-interpreter.

Remote Hearing Access Through WebEx and Telephone

Immigration judges can hold hearings using video calls, as allowed by INA §240(b)(2)(A) and (B), and EOIR uses Cisco WebEx for all internet-based hearings.

WebEx hearing links: Each immigration judge has a dedicated WebEx link using the following format: https://eoir.webex.com/meet/IJ.[JudgeName]. For example, IJ George Ward’s link is https://eoir.webex.com/meet/IJ.George.Ward. The complete list of WebEx links for Virginia courts is available at: justice.gov/eoir/find-immigration-court-and-access-internet-based-hearings

How to Join a WebEx Hearing

Download WebEx (optional—browser access available) from webex.com/downloads.html.
Test your connection ahead of time using at www.webex.com/test-meeting.
Sign in to WebEx at least 1 hour before your scheduled hearing.
Click your immigration judge’s WebEx link.
Enter your full name (exactly as it appears on your immigration documents) and your email address.
Mute your microphone until the immigration judge calls on you.
Keep your camera on, and ensure you are clearly visible at all times.

Telephonic Hearing Unit (THU): For telephone-only appearances, dial 1-415-527-5035 and enter the access code provided on the EOIR website for your assigned immigration judge.

Requesting remote appearance: Submit a motion labeled “MOTION TO PERMIT TELEPHONIC APPEARANCE” including the hearing date and time, reason for the request, and your telephone number. File at least 15 business days in advance for Master Calendar Hearings or 30 days in advance for Individual Hearings.

EOIR Online Portals for Case Management

EOIR provides several tools to help respondents, attorneys, and accredited representatives manage cases and access official information:

Automated Case Information System (ACIS): Available at https://acis.eoir.justice.gov/en/ — Check case status online 24/7 and view the next hearing date, time, location, and assigned immigration judge. No account required. The phone hotline version is 1-800-898-7180 (TDD: 1-800-828-1120) —Option #1 provides your next court date information and indicates whether the hearing is in-person or internet-based.

EOIR Courts & Appeals System (ECAS): Available at https://www.justice.gov/eoir/ECAS — This electronic filing system has been mandatory since February 11, 2022, for attorneys and accredited representatives. Use it to file Form EOIR-28 (Notice of Entry of Appearance), upload case documents, and access the electronic Record of Proceedings (eROP). Attorneys must register at the EOIR eRegistration portal.

Respondent Access Portal: Available at https://respondentaccess.eoir.justice.gov/en/ — Launched in July 2024, this portal allows unrepresented respondents to view case status and hearing information, download electronic Records of Proceedings, file documents with the immigration court, check asylum clock information, and file Form EOIR-33 (Change of Address) online. Access requires creating a DOJ Login account.

Public Transportation Routes to the Court

The Annandale Immigration Court is accessible by public transportation, though reaching it typically requires a combination of Metro and bus travel.

Metro (WMATA): The closest Metro station is Dunn Loring, served by the Orange and Silver lines. From Dunn Loring, you will need to transfer to a bus to reach the courthouse.

Bus Service Options

Fairfax Connector Bus 402: Operates between Tysons Westpark and Franconia-Springfield, passing through the Annandale area
Metrobus 16A: Provides service along the Little River Turnpike corridor, where the court is located.

Local bus fare is $2.25, and SmarTrip cards are accepted on all WMATA and Fairfax Connector buses. Route details and real-time schedules are available at fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/ and wmata.com.

Nearby amenities: A McDonald’s is located immediately adjacent to the courthouse at 7600 Little River Turnpike. The surrounding Annandale area is known for its abundance of Korean restaurants, with many options along Little River Turnpike. The neighborhood has a Walk Score of 70/100, meaning it is considered “Very Walkable.” Remember that food and drinks are not allowed inside the courthouse. Plan to eat before entering or after your hearing. Use restrooms before the security checkpoint, as you may spend an extended period inside the courtroom once admitted.

Current Health Protocols and 2025 Updates

All COVID-19 protocols have been rescinded. On January 27, 2025, EOIR’s Acting Director issued Policy Memorandum 25-03, which officially ended all prior COVID-related guidance (DM 22-02). No mask requirements are currently mandated, there are no vaccination requirements for visitors, and standard operations have resumed. General guidance remains consistent: if you have symptoms of illness, do not enter the courthouse. Contact the court immediately to request a rescheduled hearing.

Recent 2025 Developments

June 2025: ICE conducted enforcement actions inside the Annandale Immigration Court. Four individuals were arrested on June 10, 2025, while waiting for their hearings.
March 2025: EOIR issued Policy Memorandum PM 25-25, rescinding previous guidance on video-teleconference hearings (DM 22-07). The court has returned to PM 21-03, which grants immigration judges broad discretion to determine whether hearings will proceed remotely based on operational needs.
The court currently has 18 immigration judges, with Natalie Meyers serving as Court Administrator
The DHS/ICE Office of Chief Counsel for Annandale is located in Suite 900 of the same building

Conclusion

The Annandale Immigration Court offers a modern and accessible environment for immigration proceedings in Northern Virginia. With free parking, relatively straightforward security procedures, and multiple remote hearing options, it is more visitor-friendly than many urban immigration courts. To ensure a smooth experience, attorneys and respondents should arrive 30-60 minutes early, dress in business attire, bring all required case documents, verify your hearing information in ACIS before traveling, and for remote hearings, test WebEx in advance and connect at least one hour before the scheduled hearing. The updates in 2025—including the rescission of COVID protocols and evolving remote-hearing guidance—highlight the importance of staying informed. Practitioners and respondents should regularly monitor EOIR announcements for ongoing changes to court operations.