Immigration Court Timeline: From NTA to Appeal
TL;DR – Key Facts You Must Know:
- Immigration court steps: NTA → Master Calendar → Relief Deadlines → Merits Hearing → Decision → Appeal.
- In Alexandria, VA, first hearings may take 6–12+ months.
- Use EOIR’s ACIS or call 1-800-898-7180 to check your hearing date weekly.
- File motions 15–30 days before hearings; BIA appeals are due within 30 days.
- Stay updated: EOIR will not notify you of changes if your address is outdated. File Form EOIR-33 right away if you move.
Stage 0: Before Your First Hearing: NTA & Address Updates
What is the Notice to Appear (NTA)?
The Notice to Appear (NTA) is the charging document that starts the removal process. The timeline officially begins when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) files the NTA with the court—not when it’s served to you.
| Type | What It Triggers | Who Files It |
| NTA Served | Legal notice to respondent | DHS |
| NTA Filed | Starts court jurisdiction | DHS to EOIR |
Why your address matters
All notices from immigration court are sent to the address on record. If you move and fail to file Form EOIR-33, you risk receiving a removal order in absentia.
How to Check Your Hearing Date Weekly
| Method | What You Need | Where to Go |
| ACIS Web | A-Number | EOIR Portal |
| Phone Hotline | A-Number | Call 1-800-898-7180 |
If you have received an NTA or suspect you’re in proceedings, check your case now.
Stage 1: Master Calendar Hearing (MCH): What Actually Happens
The Master Calendar Hearing is your first formal appearance before the judge. It’s where you confirm charges, request time to find a lawyer, and state what kind of relief you’re seeking.
Key Facts (Alexandria):
- Scheduled 6–12+ months after NTA filing.
- Multiple MCHs are common if continuances are granted.
- In some cases, judges may skip MCH if you already have counsel and a scheduling order.
Deadlines for MCH:
| Action | Deadline | Notes |
| Motions requesting ruling | ≥15 days before MCH | Court uses receipt date |
| Response to motion | 10 days after receipt | Not from mailing date |
If detained, your MCH may occur within 1–3 weeks of arrest, not months.
Learn more about what to expect at your Master Calendar Hearing.
Stage 2: Between Hearings: Applications, Evidence & “Clocks”
This period is when you prepare and submit your applications for relief, such as asylum, cancellation of removal, or family-based petitions.
Application Timelines
- Judge sets deadlines during MCH or via written order.
- Standard filing deadline: ~60 days after removability is found.
- Asylum: Must file within 1 year of arrival (with limited exceptions).
Evidence packet should include:
- Completed application (e.g., I-589 for asylum)
- Numbered exhibit list
- Certified translations
- Witness list and interpreter requests
- Proof of service to DHS
- Updated ACIS case snapshot
Stage 3: Individual (Merits) Hearing: What to Expect & How Long
The Individual Hearing (IH) is essentially your trial before the immigration judge.
What to Expect:
- Duration: 1 – 4 hours; complex cases may take multiple days.
- Interpreter: Provided if requested in advance.
- Decision: Issued orally at the end or in writing later.
IH Submission Deadlines
| Item | Deadline | Applies To |
| Evidence updates | ≥30 days before hearing | Non-detained cases |
| Objections | At hearing | All cases |
Missed a deadline? Bring documents with you and ask the judge for permission to file.
Stage 4: Decision, Appeals & Post-Order Motions
Once the judge issues a decision, you may have options to continue fighting your case.
Appeal Timeline (Board of Immigration Appeals – BIA):
| Action | Deadline | Notes |
| File EOIR-26 | 30 days | Applies to oral or mailed decisions |
| BIA Brief | ~21 days | Deadline may vary |
Motions You Can File:
- Motion to Reopen (MTR): Within 90 days.
- Motion to Reconsider: Within 30 days.
- In Absentia Orders: 180 days (exceptional circumstances) or no deadline if notice wasn’t received.
Missed your hearing? Check ACIS immediately and prepare an MTR with legal help.
Detained vs. Not Detained: Timeline Differences
| Factor | Detained Cases | Non-Detained Cases |
| MCH timeline | 1–3 weeks | 6–12+ months |
| IH timeline | 1–2 months | 1–3 years |
| Continuances | Harder to obtain | Common |
| Bonds | May apply for release | N/A if free |
2025 Practical Updates You Should Know
- Webex Hearings: Some hearings in Alexandria are held online. Check ACIS for details.
- Dismissals & Accelerations: DHS dismissals after MCH limit refile options; new cases may move faster.
- Detention Reporting: Judges now report detention decisions to EOIR tracking systems.
Always check ACIS weekly, even if you already have a hearing date.
Deadlines & Time Limits
Table A: Immigration Court
| Action | Timeline | Source |
| File motion pre-MCH | ≥15 days before | EOIR Manual |
| File motion pre-IH | ≥30 days before | EOIR Manual |
| Asylum application | Within 1 year | INA §208 |
Table B: Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
| Action | Timeline | Source |
| File appeal | 30 days | EOIR-26 |
| File BIA brief | ~21 days | EOIR |
Note: Immigration courts use the receipt rule, not the mailbox rule.
FAQs – Immigration Court Timeline
- How soon is my first Master Calendar Hearing?
Usually 6 – 12 months after the NTA in Alexandria, VA. Check ACIS weekly. - Can I ask for more time before hearings?
Yes. Judges may grant continuances depending on complexity and attorney availability. - What if my hearing date changed without notice?
Check ACIS regularly. EOIR doesn’t always mail updated notices. - I never got a hearing notice. What now?
You may qualify for a Motion to Reopen. Act quickly and consult a lawyer.
Get Help with Your Immigration Court Timeline
Immigration court can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. At Law Group International, we have years of experience guiding clients in Alexandria and across the U.S. through every stage of the court process.
Schedule a confidential consultation today to protect your rights and build a strong defense.