How to check your USCIS case status and what each status means
After you file an application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you will receive an I-797 Receipt Notice with a Receipt Number. With that number, you can check your case progress on the USCIS website at any time. This article explains how to check, how to read the receipt number, what common statuses mean, and what you can do when a case is not moving.
How to check your case status
- Case Status Online: open the USCIS case status page and enter your receipt number; no account is required.
- myUSCIS online account: applications filed online are automatically linked to your myUSCIS account, where you can view the status, electronic copies of notices and RFEs, and respond to some RFEs online. Paper-filed applications can also be linked to your account using the Online Access Code on the receipt notice.
- Cases with an attorney: if you are represented by an attorney, USCIS notices are also sent to the attorney, and you can ask your attorney to help check the progress.
How to read the receipt number
A receipt number generally consists of 3 letters + 10 digits, 13 characters in total, for example IOE0123456789 (an illustrative format). Do not enter dashes or spaces when checking.
The first 3 letters usually indicate the service center or office that received the application. Common ones include:
- IOE: applications created in USCIS's electronic system, including applications filed online and, in recent years, some paper-filed applications.
- EAC, WAC, LIN, SRC, YSC: each corresponds to one of USCIS's Service Centers.
- MSC, NBC: usually associated with the National Benefits Center.
Note: the prefix only reflects where the case was received or created; it does not indicate which office will ultimately decide it, nor how fast it will be processed. USCIS moves cases between offices based on workload.
What common statuses mean and what to do next
| Status (as shown in English) | Meaning | What you need to do |
|---|---|---|
| Case Was Received | USCIS has received and created a file for the application, and the receipt notice has been mailed | Check the name, date of birth, address and other information on the receipt notice; if anything is wrong, contact USCIS promptly to correct it |
| Case Was Updated To Show Fingerprints Were Taken | Biometrics (fingerprints, photo) have been collected | Wait for further processing |
| Case Was Transferred And A New Office Has Jurisdiction | The case has been transferred to another office for processing | Usually no action needed; watch for notices from the new office, and look up processing times for the new office |
| Request for Additional Evidence Was Sent | USCIS has issued a Request for Evidence (RFE) asking for additional evidence | Read the notice carefully and respond as required before the deadline. See What to do when you receive an RFE |
| Response To USCIS' Request For Evidence Was Received | USCIS has received your RFE response | Wait for further processing |
| Case Is Ready To Be Scheduled For An Interview | The case is ready for an interview and is waiting to be scheduled | Start preparing your interview documents; this stage may take some time |
| Interview Was Scheduled | An interview has been scheduled and the interview notice has been mailed | Check the interview time and location, prepare originals and documents as the notice instructs, and attend on time |
| Case Was Approved | The application has been approved and the approval notice has been mailed | Check the information on the approval notice; for card-based applications such as green cards, the case moves to card production |
| New Card Is Being Produced | A card (such as a green card or work permit) is being produced | Confirm that the mailing address on file with USCIS is correct |
| Card Was Mailed To Me | The card has been mailed, usually with a USPS tracking number shown | Use the tracking number to check delivery on the USPS website |
| Card Was Delivered To Me By The Post Office | The post office shows the card as delivered | If you did not actually receive it, check with the post office and contact USCIS promptly, and if necessary follow USCIS procedures for a card that was not received |
| Case Was Rejected | The application was not accepted, usually because of a missing signature, incorrect fee, an outdated form edition or similar | Read the rejection notice, fix the problem and refile; for applications with time limits, do not miss the deadline |
| Case Was Denied | The application was denied, and the denial notice will explain why | Read the reasons for denial and promptly consult an attorney to evaluate options such as an appeal, a motion to reopen or refiling; the related deadlines are usually short |
| Notice Was Returned To USCIS Because The Post Office Could Not Deliver It | A notice was returned to USCIS as undeliverable | Immediately check and update your address and contact USCIS to request that it be resent; if it was an interview notice or RFE, the delay may affect your case |
The exact wording of status descriptions changes from time to time; rely on what the USCIS website currently shows. A status that has not changed for a long time does not necessarily mean there is a problem; many cases show no status updates while under review.
What to do if your case is outside normal processing times
- Check processing times first: on the USCIS processing times page, choose your form type and the office handling your case to see current processing times and the date after which you can submit an inquiry for a case outside normal processing times. Processing times change regularly; see How to check U.S. immigration fees and processing times.
- Submit a case inquiry: once past that date, you can submit an "outside normal processing times" inquiry through USCIS's e-Request online service, which can also be used to report a notice you did not receive or a notice with incorrect information.
- Contact the USCIS Contact Center: use the USCIS Contact Center to make inquiries or request an appointment at your local office.
- CIS Ombudsman: if the channels above do not resolve the issue, you can request case assistance from the Department of Homeland Security's CIS Ombudsman.
- Congressional office: you can contact the office of your U.S. Representative or Senator and ask them to inquire with USCIS about your case.
- Expedite request: if you meet USCIS's expedite criteria (such as severe financial loss or urgent humanitarian reasons), you can request expedited processing, but whether it is granted is up to USCIS.
Always update your address after you move
Except for U.S. citizens and certain specific categories, noncitizens in the U.S. must report a new address to USCIS (AR-11) within 10 days of moving. You can do this through USCIS's online change of address, which also updates the address on pending cases. With the wrong address, interview notices, RFEs and cards can all be lost in the mail, causing serious delays or even a denial.
Common questions
My receipt number cannot be found or shows as invalid. What should I do?
First make sure you entered it without dashes or spaces and copied the letters and digits correctly. For a newly filed application, it may take some time for the system to show it. If it still cannot be found after a long time, you can inquire through e-Request or the Contact Center.
My status has not changed for months. Is something wrong?
Not necessarily. Many cases show no status updates while under review. First compare against the processing times page to see whether you are outside normal processing times; if not, you usually just need to keep waiting.
It shows Card Was Delivered, but I did not receive my green card. What should I do?
First ask the post office about the delivery and check whether it went to a neighbor or your building's mail room. If you still cannot find it, contact USCIS promptly and follow its procedures for a card that was not received. There are time limits, so the sooner the better.
Can I contact the Contact Center, the Ombudsman and a congressional office at the same time?
We usually recommend going in order: first inquire through USCIS's own channels, and only if that does not resolve the issue seek help from the Ombudsman or a congressional office. Submitting multiple duplicate inquiries generally does not make a case move faster.
Related reading
- What to do when you receive an RFE
- How to check U.S. immigration fees and processing times
- U.S. immigration calculators and tools
Case not moving for a long time, or received an RFE or denial and not sure how to handle it? Book an attorney review.
This article is general information and is not legal advice. Laws and policies may change; rely on the latest official information and an attorney's advice for your specific situation.