- You check your case with the 13-character receipt number on your notice.
- Set up a USCIS online account for email and text alerts.
- Most updates are routine — only a few need you to act.
Once you file with USCIS, the waiting begins — and the case status page becomes the thing you check most. The good news: tracking your case is simple once you know where to look and what the updates mean. Here is everything you need.
What You Need First
To check your status, you need your receipt number. It is a 13-character code that starts with three letters (like EAC, WAC, LIN, SRC, IOE, MSC) followed by numbers. You will find it on:
- Your I-797 receipt notice (the paper USCIS mailed after you filed)
- Any later notice USCIS sends about the case
- Your USCIS online account, if you filed online
How to Check — Step by Step
- Go to the official USCIS case status page (uscis.gov). Make sure it is the real site, not a look-alike.
- Enter your receipt number exactly, with no spaces or dashes.
- Read the status and the date it was last updated.
For more detail and alerts, create a free USCIS online account and add your case. An account lets you:
- Get email or text alerts whenever the status changes
- See your case history in one place
- Update your address and respond to some requests online
"A status that has not changed in weeks is normal. USCIS works through cases in a queue — quiet usually means waiting, not a problem."
What the Updates Mean
Most messages are informational. The few that need action are the ones to watch:
- Case Was Received — your filing is in the system. Nothing to do.
- Case Was Updated / Is Being Actively Reviewed — internal movement. Nothing to do.
- Request for Additional Evidence Was Sent — Action needed watch the mail and respond by the deadline.
- Notice / Card Was Mailed — a document is on its way; track it.
- Case Was Approved / Denied — a decision was made; read the notice carefully.
If the Status Seems Stuck
If your case has passed the normal processing time for your form and office, you have options — an online inquiry, and in some situations an expedite request. But first confirm it is genuinely beyond normal time; most "stuck" cases are simply still in line.
A general guide, not legal advice.
Immigration rules and fees change, and every case is different. For help with your specific situation, talk to a licensed immigration attorney before you act.
