Yes, you can check your USCIS case status online using your receipt number
USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) provides a free online tool called Case Status Online where you can look up the progress of your visa process, green card petition, or other immigration case. You will need your receipt number — a 13-character code that starts with three letters — which appears on the receipt notice USCIS mailed to you when they received your case.
The tool shows you the current status of your case, the date USCIS received it, and sometimes the next step or decision date. It does not show the full details of your file or explain why a case is delayed, but it tells you whether your case is still being processed, approved, or denied.
Key Takeaways
- You can check your case status at uscis.gov/case-status using your 13-character receipt number from your receipt notice.
- The online tool updates regularly but may lag behind internal USCIS records by a few days.
- If you do not have your receipt number, you can search by your name and date of birth, though this method is less reliable.
- Some cases do not appear in the online system until several weeks after USCIS receives them.
- If your case shows no activity for longer than the normal processing time, you can contact USCIS by phone or through their online inquiry form.
How to access Case Status Online
Go to uscis.gov/case-status and enter your receipt number in the search box. The receipt number appears on the I-797 Notice of Action that USCIS mailed to you. It looks like this: ABC1234567890. Click "Check Status" and the system will display your case information.
If you have lost your receipt number, you can search by your last name, date of birth, and country of birth instead. This search is slower and sometimes returns multiple results, so having your receipt number is faster. You can also find your receipt number by looking at any mail from USCIS about your case, including fee receipts or requests for more information.
What the status messages mean
When you search your case, USCIS shows one of several status messages. "Case received" means USCIS has logged your case into their system but has not yet assigned it to an officer. "Case is being reviewed" means an officer is examining your file. "Decision is pending" means the officer has finished reviewing but has not yet made a final decision.
"Case approved" means USCIS has approved your petition or process, though you may still need to complete additional steps like an interview or medical exam. "Case denied" means USCIS has rejected your case. "Case transferred" means your file has been sent to a different USCIS office, usually because you moved or because the case type requires processing at a different location.
Some cases show "Request for evidence" or "Notice to appear" — these mean USCIS needs more information from you or that you have been scheduled for an interview or hearing. Check your mail for the official notice, which will explain what you need to do and by what date.
When the online system updates and how long it takes
USCIS updates Case Status Online regularly, but the updates may lag behind what USCIS staff see in their internal system. A status change can take anywhere from a few hours to several days to appear online after USCIS processes it. If you called USCIS and were told your case was approved but the online status still shows "under review," wait a few days before checking again.
New cases sometimes do not appear in the online system until two to four weeks after USCIS receives them. If you submitted your case recently and cannot find it online, this is normal. Keep your receipt number and try again in a few weeks.
What to do if your case is delayed
USCIS publishes processing times for each type of case and each office on their website. You can compare your case's age to the published time to see whether it is delayed. If your case has been pending longer than the normal processing time with no recent activity, you have a few options.
You can contact USCIS through their online inquiry form at uscis.gov/field-offices. Select your local USCIS office and submit a question about your case. Include your receipt number and explain how long you have been waiting. USCIS typically responds within 30 days. You can also call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833) to speak with an agent, though wait times are often long.
If your case is significantly delayed and you have a lawyer, your lawyer can file a case inquiry on your behalf, which sometimes receives faster attention than a self-filed inquiry.
Cases that may not appear online
Some types of cases do not show up in Case Status Online. Asylum cases filed with USCIS do not appear in the online system; you must contact the asylum office directly or check your case through the immigration court system if your case was referred there. VAWA petitions (Violence Against Women Act) and some U visa and T visa cases also may not appear online.
If you filed through a consulate abroad rather than USCIS, your case will not be in this system. Consular cases are tracked through the State Department's system, and you should contact the consulate where you filed for status updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I cannot find my receipt number?
You can search by your last name, date of birth, and country of birth on the Case Status Online page. This method works but is slower and may return multiple results. If you have any mail from USCIS about your case — even old notices — your receipt number will be on it. You can also contact USCIS by phone at 1-800-375-5283 and provide your name and date of birth to ask for your receipt number.
Does the online status tell me why my case is delayed?
No. The online system only shows the current status, not the reason for delays or what is happening behind the scenes. If you need details about why your case is taking longer than expected, you must contact USCIS directly through their inquiry form or by phone. Your lawyer, if you have one, can also request this information.
Can I check someone else's case status?
No. You need the receipt number or the personal information of the person whose case you are checking. USCIS does not allow you to look up another person's case without their information. If you are a lawyer representing a client, you can search using the client's information, but USCIS may require proof of representation.
What should I do if the online status has not changed in months?
First, check the USCIS processing times for your case type and office to see if your case is actually delayed or still within the normal range. If it is delayed, file an online inquiry through uscis.gov/field-offices or call 1-800-375-5283. Provide your receipt number and explain how long you have been waiting. If you have a lawyer, they can file a case inquiry, which sometimes gets faster attention.
Will checking my status online affect my case?
No. Checking your case status online does not change anything about your case or trigger any action by USCIS. You can check as often as you want without any negative effect.