In a Nutshell
Whether you’re applying for a work permit, a green card, or another immigration status, you have several ways to track your application status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The easiest way to track your application status is on USCIS.gov through the case status online tracker tool or through your myUSCIS account. You can also check your case status by calling USCIS or mailing an inquiry. No matter how you decide to check your status, you’ll need your receipt number — the unique 13-character code USCIS sent you in a receipt notice after it accepted your application. This article explains how to check the status of your case online, by mail, or by phone.
Written by Jonathan Petts.
Updated September 17, 2023
Before You Can Check Your Status, Find Your Receipt Number
To use the USCIS case status online tracker, you’ll need your 13-digit receipt number. The USCIS receipt number is a 13-character code containing three letters and 10 numbers. It’s also called a case number.
Your receipt number will start with a three-letter code that corresponds to the USCIS service center that’s processing your immigration case. Here are the codes you might see:
WAC if the California Service Center is processing your case
LIN if the Nebraska Service Center is processing your case
SRC if the Texas Service Center is processing your case
EAC if the Vermont Service Center is processing your case
MSC or NBC if the National Benefits Center is processing your case
IOE if USCIS is processing your application online
This three-letter code will be followed by 10 digits, which together make up your receipt number or case number.
When you send in an immigrant petition or application to USCIS, it will send you a receipt notice to acknowledge it’s received your forms. This notice includes your unique receipt number. All USCIS notices are sent via mail, so keep an eye out for this notice after you submit an application. If you move, always update your address with USCIS to be sure you get all the notices it sends you.
How Do I Check My USCIS Case Status Online?
The quickest and easiest way to get status updates about your immigration application with USCIS is by using the case status tracker on the USCIS website or logging in to your myUSCIS account. Both tools are on USCIS.gov, the official website of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which accepts and processes most U.S. immigration applications.
To check your status using the USCIS case status online tracker, simply enter your receipt number where it says “Enter a Receipt Number,” then click the “Check Status” button. When you enter your receipt number, don’t include any dashes or hyphens (-) but do include any other special characters like asterisks (*).
Image description: Landing page for USCIS's case status online tracker
You can also access information about your case, including your case status, by checking your personal myUSCIS account. If you applied for an immigration benefit online, you will have a myUSCIS account. But if you applied by mail, you may need to create an account. To do so, go to myaccount.uscis.gov and click “Create an account.” You need an email address to create your myUSCIS account online.
After you sign in to your myUSCIS account, go to the “My Account” dropdown menu and select the application or form you filed that you want to track. This is where you can find your case’s current status and typical USCIS processing times for your case. You can also find any official notices USCIS has sent you in your online account.
How Do I Check My U.S. Citizenship Case Status by Phone?
USCIS recommends all applicants try to check their status online before calling. That’s because wait times can be long for the USCIS Contact Center. If you aren’t able to check your status online and you need to call USCIS to check the status of your application, you can call:
1-800-375-5283 for the USCIS Contact Center
212-620-3418 if you’re outside the U.S
1-800-767-1833 if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech impairment and need special accommodations
In addition to your USCIS receipt number, you’ll also need to provide the USCIS phone representative with your full name, date of birth, and Alien Registration Number (A-Number), if you have one. Be sure to gather this information before you make the call to check your status.
How Do I Check My USCIS Case Status by Mail?
You can check your USCIS case status by mail, but this is the slowest way to check your status. To do so, you’ll send an inquiry letter to the USCIS field office where you filed your case. The letter should include the following information:
Your full name
Your date of birth
Your Alien Registration Number (A-Number), if you have one
Your application filing date
Your receipt number
If you can, include a photocopy of your receipt notice containing your receipt number with your inquiry letter. This may help speed up the inquiry process. After you send the inquiry, check your mail regularly for notifications or responses from USCIS. If you move, always update your address with USCIS to be sure you continue to receive notices about your case.
Can I Check My USCIS Case Status in Person?
You can schedule an in-person appointment only if USCIS can’t fulfill your request online, by phone, or by email. Here are a few examples:
You applied for citizenship and need proof of your immigration status or help accessing your green card immigration benefits, including advance parole for travel or employment authorization.
You need to get emergency travel documents.
To schedule an in-person appointment, call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 or TTY 1-800-767-1833 (if you require special accommodations).
