To check your USCIS case status online, visit Case Status Online and enter your 13-character receipt number from your USCIS approval notice; the tool is available 24/7 at no cost. The same information is available by phone, through an online account, and via automatic email or text notifications.
Table of Contents
- Finding Your Receipt Number
- Checking Your Status Online
- Phone Support and Alternatives
- Understanding Processing Times and Status
- Enable Automatic Notifications
- Frequently Asked Questions
Finding Your Receipt Number
Your receipt number appears on your USCIS approval notice or receipt notice as a 13-character code: three letters followed by 10 digits. Enter it exactly as shown on the notice, omitting any dashes but including asterisks if they appear. This number is required to look up your case in any of USCIS's status systems.
Checking Your Status Online
USCIS Case Status Online provides current case information 24/7 from any internet connection. Enter your receipt number and view your status instantly. Create an account at my.uscis.gov to link all your case files—including paper filings—and access your last five case actions in one place.
Phone Support and Alternatives
Call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833 for hearing impaired) for live assistance in English and Spanish Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Eastern time, excluding federal holidays. Representatives provide the same case information available on the website.
Understanding Processing Times and Status
Processing times are updated monthly based on how long it takes USCIS to complete 80% of cases decided in the prior six months. A case is considered actively processing if it received a status update within the past 60 days and falls within the published timeframe; USCIS will not conduct a manual review for these cases. Early filings within a few weeks may not yet appear in the status system.
Enable Automatic Notifications
After checking your case status online, you can opt in to receive automatic email or text notifications when your status changes. This eliminates manual checking and ensures you never miss an important update.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't have my receipt number?
Your receipt number appears on your USCIS approval or receipt notice. If you cannot find it, call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 for assistance locating it.
How long before my case appears in the status system?
Cases filed within the past few weeks may not yet appear. USCIS aims to make decisions within six months of filing when no specific processing timeframe is listed for your case type.