Quick Answer: How Do I Check My USCIS Case Status?
You can check your USCIS case status using the official USCIS Case Status Online tool and the receipt number assigned to your case. Your USCIS receipt number is a 13-character identifier made up of three letters followed by 10 numbers.
Enter the receipt number without dashes and select “Check Status” to see the latest available update for your case. You do not need to log in to a USCIS online account to use the public case-status checker.
You can also use a USCIS online account, when available for your case, for additional case-management features.
Ready to Check Your USCIS Case Status?
Have your USCIS receipt number ready? Use the ImmigrationDirect Case Status Checker to view the latest available status for your case.
What You Need to Check Your USCIS Case Status
To check your case online, you need the USCIS receipt number assigned to your application, petition, or request. It contains 13 characters: three letters followed by 10 numbers, such as IOE1234567890.
When entering the receipt number online, omit dashes but include any other characters shown as part of the receipt number on your USCIS notice.
Common prefixes include IOE, MSC, NBC, SRC, LIN, WAC, and EAC.
You can find your USCIS receipt number on Form I-797, the receipt notice USCIS sends after accepting a filing. If you filed online or added a case to your USCIS online account, the receipt number may also appear there.
Do not confuse your receipt number with your A-Number (Alien Registration Number). The receipt number identifies a specific USCIS case, while an A-Number identifies an individual in immigration records.
How to Check Your USCIS Case Status Online
You can check your USCIS case status online in a few steps using the receipt number assigned to your case.
Step 1: Open USCIS Case Status Online
Go to the official USCIS Case Status Online tool. You can use the public case-status checker without signing in to a USCIS online account.
Step 2: Enter Your Receipt Number
Enter the 13-character USCIS receipt number for the case you want to check. Enter the receipt number without dashes and make sure you are checking the correct case if you have multiple USCIS filings.
Step 3: Select “Check Status”
After confirming that the receipt number is correct, select “Check Status” to retrieve the latest available update for that case.
Step 4: Review the Latest Case Update
Read the complete status message to understand the latest action USCIS has recorded. The update may also tell you whether USCIS needs anything from you or has taken another action on your case.
If the status includes instructions or says USCIS sent you a notice, follow the instructions provided for that specific case.
Case Status Online vs. a USCIS Online Account
You do not need to log in to a USCIS online account just to check your case status. USCIS Case Status Online is a public tool that lets you check the latest available status using your receipt number.
A USCIS online account can provide additional case-management features for cases linked to or filed through the account.
| Feature | Case Status Online | USCIS Online Account |
|---|---|---|
| Sign-in required | No | Yes |
| Check case status | Yes | Yes |
| View case history | Limited to available status information | Available for linked cases |
| View certain USCIS notices | No | Available where supported |
| Secure account functions | No | Available where supported |
If you only want to perform a USCIS case status check, Case Status Online is usually sufficient.
A USCIS online account can be useful when you want to manage a linked case, review available case history, access certain notices, or use other account features USCIS makes available for that case.
What Does Your USCIS Case Status Mean?
Your USCIS case status shows the latest update available for your application, petition, or request. The exact status messages you see depend on your case and where it is in the process.
Some updates simply show progress, while others require you to take action.
| USCIS Case Status | What It Generally Means | What You Should Do |
|---|---|---|
| Case Was Received | USCIS received and recorded your filing. | Keep your receipt notice and continue monitoring your case. |
| Case Is Being Actively Reviewed By USCIS | USCIS reports that your case is under review. This status does not provide a decision date. | Usually, continue waiting unless USCIS requests something from you. |
| Biometrics Appointment Was Scheduled | USCIS scheduled a biometrics appointment for your case. | Follow the appointment notice. See our USCIS Biometrics Appointment guide for more information. |
| Request for Evidence Was Sent | USCIS needs additional information or evidence before continuing with your case. | Review the request carefully and respond by the deadline. See our Request for Evidence (RFE) guide. |
| Response to USCIS’ Request for Evidence Was Received | USCIS recorded your response to the RFE. | Continue monitoring your case for the next update. |
| Interview Was Scheduled | USCIS scheduled an interview as part of your case. | Follow the interview notice for the date, location, and instructions. |
| Case Was Approved | USCIS approved the application, petition, or request reflected in the status. | Review the approval notice and follow any next-step instructions. |
| Card or Document Was Mailed | USCIS reports that it mailed the card or document associated with your case. | Review any available delivery information and track the shipment when tracking is provided. |
These are common status updates, but not every case will receive every update or follow the same sequence. Always read the complete status message and follow any instructions USCIS provides for your specific case.
Can You Check Green Card, EAD, I-140 and Other USCIS Cases the Same Way?
You can use USCIS Case Status Online to check the status of many applications and petitions using the receipt number assigned to that filing. Common examples include:
| Filing | Form |
|---|---|
| Family petition | Form I-130 |
| Employment-based immigrant petition | Form I-140 |
| Adjustment of status | Form I-485 |
| Employment authorization | Form I-765 |
| Travel document | Form I-131 |
| Green Card renewal or replacement | Form I-90 |
| Naturalization | Form N-400 |
Each USCIS filing normally has its own receipt number. If you filed multiple forms, including forms filed concurrently, check each receipt number separately because the cases may receive different status updates or move through processing at different times.
If you filed Form I-90 to renew or replace a Green Card, see how to check your Form I-90 case status for I-90-specific status updates and next steps.
Why Hasn’t My USCIS Case Status Changed?
Your USCIS case status may remain unchanged for a period of time while your application or petition continues through processing.
A lack of a new online status does not automatically mean USCIS has stopped working on your case or that there is a problem.
Case status and processing time provide different information. Your case status shows the latest update available for your specific filing, while processing-time information helps you understand how long USCIS may take to process similar cases.
If your status has not changed, check the current USCIS Processing Times for your form and applicable case category.
This can help you determine whether your case is still within the expected processing range or whether you may be eligible to make a case inquiry.
What to Do If Your Case Is Taking Longer Than Expected
If your USCIS case appears to be taking longer than expected, first check your current case status for any recent updates or instructions. Then review the USCIS processing time for your form and case category to determine whether your case may be eligible for an inquiry.
If USCIS indicates that you can submit an inquiry, use the appropriate USCIS case inquiry or e-Request option. Depending on the issue, USCIS provides inquiry options for a case taking longer than expected, a notice not received, a card or document not received, or a typographical error.
Checking your case status and submitting an inquiry serve different purposes. Case Status Online shows the latest available update for your filing, while a case inquiry allows you to contact USCIS about an eligible issue.
Submitting an inquiry does not guarantee faster processing or a particular decision on your case.
What If USCIS Says Your Card or Document Was Mailed?
If your case status says USCIS mailed your card or document, review the status for any available delivery or tracking information.
Tracking details may be provided for some mailed items, but not every USCIS notice or document will have the same tracking information.
USCIS case tracking and delivery tracking serve different purposes. Your USCIS case status shows where your application or petition is in the immigration process.
After USCIS mails a physical card or document, available USPS or delivery tracking follows the shipment to its destination.
If an expected card or document does not arrive, follow the appropriate USCIS instructions for reporting non-delivery.
What If USCIS Case Status Online Doesn’t Find Your Case?
If USCIS Case Status Online does not find your case, first check the information you entered. An unsuccessful search does not by itself tell you what happened to your filing.
Try these steps:
- Verify all 13 characters of your USCIS receipt number.
- Enter the receipt number without dashes.
- Confirm you are using the receipt number assigned to the application, petition, or request you want to check.
- Do not enter your A-Number in place of the receipt number.
- Check your USCIS online account, if your case is available or linked there.
If you have verified the information and still cannot access your case status, contact USCIS through the appropriate support or case-inquiry channel for assistance.
What If USCIS Sent Your Case to the National Visa Center?
For cases that require immigrant visa processing abroad, USCIS may send an approved petition to the Department of State’s National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing.
USCIS Case Status Online can still reflect actions USCIS took on the petition, including that it was sent to the Department of State.
After the case moves to the NVC, however, subsequent visa-case updates and required actions may be handled through Department of State or NVC systems rather than USCIS Case Status Online.
Follow the instructions you receive from the NVC for the next stage of the case.
USCIS Case Status FAQs
Can I check my USCIS case status without a receipt number?
The public USCIS Case Status Online tool requires a receipt number to look up a case. If you cannot locate yours, check your USCIS notices or your online account, if applicable. If you still cannot find the receipt number, contact USCIS for assistance.
How often does USCIS update case status?
USCIS does not provide a standard schedule for how often every case status will change. An online status may remain unchanged while a case continues processing and then update when USCIS records another action. A lack of frequent updates does not by itself indicate a problem with the case.
Can I check multiple USCIS cases?
Yes. If you have multiple USCIS filings, you can check each case using its individual receipt number. Concurrently filed applications or petitions may receive separate receipt numbers and can move through processing independently, so one case may show a different status from another.
Does “Case Is Being Actively Reviewed” mean a decision is coming soon?
No specific decision date can be determined from this status alone. “Case Is Being Actively Reviewed By USCIS” indicates that USCIS reports the case as under review, but it does not mean approval, denial, or another decision will necessarily occur within a particular period.
Check Your USCIS Case Status
Have your USCIS receipt number ready? Use the ImmigrationDirect Case Status Checker to check the latest available status of your immigration case.
The tool provides a convenient way to access your USCIS case-status information using your receipt number.
ImmigrationDirect is not USCIS and does not make decisions on immigration cases. Case-status information is based on updates available from USCIS.
