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Check Your Case Now →How Do I Check My USCIS Case Status?
Enter the receipt number from your Form I-797 Notice of Action.
Format: EAC2390123456 — 3 letters + 10 digits.
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How do I check my USCIS case status?
To check your USCIS case status, enter your 13-character receipt number on this page. Your receipt number starts with three letters — EAC, WAC, LIN, SRC, or IOE — followed by ten digits. It's printed on your Form I-797 Notice of Action mailed by USCIS after they accept your petition. After submitting your receipt number above, you'll see your current case status with a plain-English explanation of what it means, when to expect the next update, and whether any action is required from you. No account or login is needed for a single lookup.
What does each case status mean?
A typical USCIS case moves from Case Was Received (USCIS accepted your petition and queued it for review) to Case Is Being Actively Reviewed (an officer is examining your file — a decision usually follows within 2–6 weeks) and then to Case Was Approved or Case Was Denied. Some cases pause for a Request for Evidence (RFE), which means USCIS needs additional documentation and gives you a fixed deadline (typically 87 days) to respond before they decide. Whether your case moves quickly or stalls depends heavily on your receipt number prefix — LIN (Nebraska Service Center) is currently one of the slowest for H-1B and I-485 petitions, while EAC (Vermont) and WAC (California) tend to move faster on certain forms.
Why hasn't my case moved in months?
Common reasons a USCIS case stalls include a pending background check, an unresponded Request for Evidence (USCIS froze the case until you reply), a service-center backlog, or a security review. Check your current service center's posted processing times first — if your case is more than 30 days outside the official range, submit a case inquiry or call 1-800-375-5283. Cases exceeding posted processing times by 6+ months can often be expedited through a congressional inquiry from your US Senator or Representative.
How long does USCIS take to process cases?
USCIS publishes monthly processing time ranges by form type and service center. As of mid-2026, typical ranges are: H-1B I-129 (3–6 months standard, 15 business days premium processing), I-140 EB-2 NIW (6–12 months), I-765 EAD (3–5 months), I-485 Adjustment of Status (8–24+ months depending on visa-availability backlogs), and N-400 Naturalization (8–14 months). Exact timing depends on your case's service center (the first three letters of your receipt number) and the current backlog — see our Processing Times tracker for current month estimates.
How USCIS Case Tracking Works
When USCIS receives a petition or application, they assign a unique receipt number and mail you a Form I-797 Notice of Action. This receipt number is your case identifier — you use it to track your case on the USCIS website at myUSCIS or with tools like this one.
USCIS processes cases in roughly chronological order within each service center and form type, though some applications are prioritized (premium processing, humanitarian cases). Status updates appear on the USCIS portal within 1–7 days of case activity.
Your Receipt Number Explained
The first three letters identify which USCIS Service Center is processing your case. This matters because different centers have different workloads and processing times — even for the same form type.
What Do Common USCIS Status Codes Mean?
USCIS uses standardized status messages to describe where your case is in the adjudication process. Here are the most common statuses and what they mean:
| Status | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Case Was Received | USCIS accepted your petition and assigned a receipt number. Clock starts now. | Wait. Check back in 30–60 days for movement. |
| Case Is Being Actively Reviewed | An officer has your case on their desk and is examining it. | Good sign. Decision typically within 2–6 weeks. |
| Request for Evidence Was Sent | USCIS needs more documentation. You have a deadline to respond (usually 87 days). | Contact your attorney immediately. The RFE deadline is non-negotiable. |
| Response to Request for Evidence Was Received | USCIS received your RFE response and is reviewing it. | Wait for adjudication. Typical review: 60–90 days. |
| Notice of Intent to Deny Was Sent | USCIS is considering denial but giving you a chance to respond (NOID). | Work with an experienced attorney immediately. Response deadline is strict. |
| Biometrics Appointment Was Scheduled | You need to go to an Application Support Center (ASC) for fingerprints and photos. | Attend your appointment on time. Bring your appointment notice and ID. |
| Interview Was Scheduled | USCIS requires an in-person interview at a field office. | Prepare thoroughly. Bring all original documents and copies. |
| Case Was Approved | Your petition has been granted. Watch for the I-797 approval notice and any cards. | Confirm your address is current with USCIS. Expect documents in 2–4 weeks. |
| Case Was Denied | Your petition was not approved. The denial notice explains the reasons. | Review the denial carefully. You may have appeal or motion rights (MTR/BIA). |
| Card Was Delivered to Me | USPS has delivered your physical card (EAD, Green Card, etc.) to your address. | Inspect the card for accuracy. Report errors at uscis.gov immediately. |
| Card Was Produced | USCIS has printed your physical card (EAD or Green Card) and handed it to USPS. | Delivery typically takes 7–10 business days. Track via USPS Informed Delivery. |
| Case Was Transferred | Your case has been moved to a different USCIS service center for processing. | No action needed. The new center continues adjudication under the same receipt number. |
| Case Was Reopened | USCIS has reopened a previously denied or closed case, typically at the officer's discretion or after a motion. | Monitor for next status update. Consult your attorney on what prompted the reopening. |
| Case Was Withdrawn | Your petitioner or attorney withdrew the petition before a decision was made. | If unintentional, contact USCIS immediately. Withdrawal is generally final. |
| Interview Was Cancelled | USCIS cancelled a previously scheduled interview. This sometimes means the case will be approved without one, or rescheduled. | Wait for USCIS to send a new notice. Contact USCIS if no update within 30 days. |
What Are Common USCIS Case Status Transitions?
Most H-1B, I-140, and I-485 cases follow a predictable path. Understanding the sequence helps you recognize when something is unusual.
Typical H-1B Petition Flow
Case Was Received → Case Is Being Actively Reviewed → Case Was Approved → Card/I-797 Delivered. For premium processing, you should see the Approved status within 15 business days of receipt.
Typical I-485 Green Card Flow
Case Was Received → Biometrics Appointment Scheduled → Case Is Being Actively Reviewed → Interview Scheduled → Case Was Approved → Card Was Produced → Card Was Delivered. The I-485 often takes 12–24 months due to visa number availability requirements for employment-based categories.
When RFEs Occur
RFEs are common (approximately 30–40% of H-1B petitions receive an RFE in some years). They indicate USCIS needs additional evidence — not that your case will be denied. A strong RFE response with thorough documentation results in approval in most cases. Check our RFE Intelligence Hub for patterns by visa type.
What to Do If Your Case Is Stuck
If your case has no status update for a period longer than the official processing time, you have several options:
1. Submit an Online Inquiry
If your case is outside the official processing time by more than 30 days, visit uscis.gov/e-request to submit a case inquiry. USCIS responds within 15–30 business days.
2. Call the USCIS Contact Center
Call 1-800-375-5283 (Monday–Friday, 8am–8pm ET). Have your receipt number, A-Number (if applicable), and date of birth ready. Representatives can see more detail than the online system but cannot expedite cases.
3. Request Expedite Processing
USCIS grants expedite requests in specific circumstances: severe financial loss, urgent humanitarian need, USCIS error, or national interest. Document your reason thoroughly and submit via the online portal.
4. Contact Your Congressional Representative
US Senators and Representatives have casework offices that can submit congressional inquiries to USCIS on your behalf. This is particularly effective for cases exceeding processing time by 6+ months.
📊 Check Current Processing Times
Before submitting an inquiry, verify your case is actually outside the official processing window. Processing times vary by service center and are updated monthly by USCIS.
What Does My USCIS Status Mean? (Top 6)
These are the 6 most common USCIS case status messages — and exactly what each one means for your application:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Legal Disclaimer: USVisaStack provides immigration information for educational purposes only. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. USCIS case status data is retrieved from publicly available government sources; accuracy depends on USCIS system availability. USVisaStack is not affiliated with USCIS, the Department of Labor, or the Department of State. For advice specific to your case, consult a licensed US immigration attorney. See our AI Disclaimer and Terms of Service for more information.