You can check your USCIS case status online anytime using only your receipt number—a 13-character identifier that USCIS provides when you file. Case Status Online is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from any device, so you can check from your computer, phone, or tablet whenever you need an update. The system displays the last action USCIS took on your case, upcoming next steps, and your complete case history. Most applicants receive their receipt number within 30 days of filing, though USCIS recommends waiting at least 60 days after filing before checking for a status update to allow the system time to process and display your information.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Your Receipt Number
- How to Search Your Case Status
- Create a myUSCIS Account for More Control
- When Your Case Isn't Found Online
- Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding Your Receipt Number
Your receipt number is a 13-character code (three letters followed by 10 numbers) that uscis sends you when your application or petition is accepted. You'll find it on your official receipt notice, which typically arrives within 30 days of filing at a Service Center or Lockbox facility.
When you search Case Status Online, enter your receipt number without dashes but include all other characters, including asterisks if they appear on your receipt notice. If you don't have your receipt number, you can request a new one by contacting USCIS or checking your email for the receipt notice sent at filing.
How to Search Your Case Status
To check your status, visit USCIS Case Status Online (or access it at egov.uscis.gov) and enter your 13-character receipt number. The search takes seconds and returns your current status immediately. The system displays the last action taken on your case, upcoming next steps if applicable, and your case history including up to five recent actions.
This gives you a clear picture of where your case stands and what happens next. The information you see online is the same information USCIS Contact Center representatives can access.
Create a myUSCIS Account for More Control
Beyond a basic receipt number search, you can create a free myUSCIS online account to receive automatic email or text message alerts, upload additional evidence, respond to Requests for Evidence, and send secure messages with USCIS. A myUSCIS account works for cases with an "IOE" receipt number and an Account Access Notice. myUSCIS also lets you link multiple filings together in one account, even if you filed some by mail with paper forms, so you can view the status and history of all your cases from a single login. Case Status Online and myUSCIS now use the same login system and display identical information, so creating an account gives you access to both tools.
When Your Case Isn't Found Online
Not all cases are available online through Case Status Online; availability depends on case type and when it was filed. If your receipt number doesn't appear in the system, this doesn't mean there's a problem—it may simply mean your case type isn't yet available in the online tool. If your receipt number doesn't return results, USCIS recommends using the online e-Request form to submit a case processing inquiry. You can also contact the USCIS Contact Center by phone or through their website for assistance with cases that aren't yet visible online.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long after filing should I check my case status?
USCIS recommends waiting at least 60 days after filing before checking to allow the system to process your information.
What if my receipt number includes an asterisk?
Include asterisks when you enter your receipt number, but omit any dashes.
Can I link multiple cases in one myUSCIS account?
Yes. A myUSCIS account lets you link multiple filings together, even if you filed some by mail, so you can manage all your cases in one place.