Where to Check Your Immigration Status

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) operates the official system for checking your case status. You can look up your case online through the USCIS website without paying a fee. You will need your receipt number — a 13-character code that starts with three letters — which appears on the receipt notice USCIS mails to you after you submit your process.

If you do not have your receipt number, you can still search by your name and date of birth, though this method is slower and sometimes returns incomplete results. The online system updates every 24 hours, so checking at different times may show different information if your case recently changed status.

For cases filed before 2010 or cases with older receipt numbers, the online system may not have records. In those situations, you will need to contact USCIS by phone or mail to request a status update.

Key Takeaways

  • USCIS Case Status Online is the official free tool to check your immigration case, and you access it through the USCIS website using your receipt number.
  • Your receipt number appears on the notice USCIS mails you after you submit your process, and it always starts with three letters followed by ten numbers.
  • You can search by name and date of birth if you have lost your receipt number, though the results may be less detailed.
  • The system updates once per day, so a case that changed status yesterday may not show the new status until the next update cycle.
  • If your case is older than 15 years or your receipt number does not appear in the system, you will need to contact USCIS directly by phone or mail.

How to Use USCIS Case Status Online

Go to the USCIS website and locate the "Check Your Case Status" tool. Enter your receipt number in the search box and click "Check Status." The system will display your case type, the date you filed, the current status, and the last action USCIS took on your case.

The status will show one of several messages: "Case received," "Case approved," "Case denied," "Case transferred," or "Case pending." Each message tells you where your case stands in the process. If the status says "Case pending," the page will also show the date USCIS last took action, which helps you understand whether your case is moving forward or waiting for something from you.

Write down the information displayed, including the date of the last action. This information is useful if you need to contact USCIS or speak with an immigration attorney about your case.

Searching Without a Receipt Number

If you have lost your receipt number, the USCIS website allows you to search by your name, date of birth, and country of birth. This search is slower and sometimes returns multiple results if your name is common. The results may also be less detailed than a receipt number search.

Before you search by name, gather the exact spelling of your name as it appears on your process, your full date of birth, and your country of birth. The system is sensitive to spelling and will not return results if the information does not match exactly what USCIS has on file.

If the search returns no results or multiple results you cannot identify, contact USCIS directly. You can request a case status update by phone, mail, or in person at a local USCIS office.

What Different Case Statuses Mean

Case received means USCIS has logged your process into the system but has not yet assigned it to an officer for review. This status typically appears within two weeks of mailing your process.

Case pending means an officer is reviewing your case or USCIS is waiting for additional documents from you. The page will show the date of the last action. If that date is recent, your case is moving forward. If the date is months old, USCIS may be waiting for something from you — check your mail for any requests.

Case approved means USCIS has granted your request. The next steps depend on your case type. For some applications, approval is the final step. For others, you must take additional action at a consulate or port of entry.

Case denied means USCIS has rejected your process. The denial notice will explain the reason and whether you have the right to appeal or reapply.

Case transferred means your file has been sent to another USCIS office or to another government agency. The page will show which office or agency received it. You can check status again after a few days to see if the receiving office has updated the status.

Contacting USCIS If You Cannot Find Your Case Online

If the online system does not show your case, call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283. Have your receipt number ready, or be prepared to provide your name, date of birth, and the type of process you filed. The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Wait times are often long, especially early in the morning and on Mondays.

You can also visit a local USCIS office in person to request a status update. Find your nearest office on the USCIS website by entering your zip code. Bring your receipt notice, passport, and any other documents related to your case. Some offices accept walk-ins, but many require an appointment. Check the office's website before you visit.

If you filed your case by mail and are unsure whether USCIS received it, you can request a receipt number by contacting USCIS. Provide the date you mailed your process and the address where you sent it. USCIS will search their records and provide a receipt number if they have one on file.

Understanding Case Processing Times

USCIS publishes processing times for different case types and different offices on its website. These times are estimates and vary based on how many applications the office is handling and how complex your case is. A case that requires additional documents or background checks will take longer than the published estimate.

If your case has been pending longer than the published processing time, you can contact USCIS to ask about the delay. Have your receipt number and the date you filed ready. USCIS may ask you to provide additional documents or may tell you that your case is still under review.

Processing times change frequently. Check the USCIS website regularly if you are waiting for a decision, because the time estimate for your case type may have increased or decreased since you filed.

What to Do If Your Status Has Not Changed

If your case status has not changed for several months and the status is "Case pending," contact USCIS to ask whether they are waiting for documents from you. Sometimes USCIS sends requests by mail, and the mail may be delayed or lost. Ask USCIS to confirm whether they have received all the documents you submitted and whether they need anything else from you.

If USCIS is waiting for documents, send them as soon as possible. Include your receipt number on all documents you send. If you are sending documents by mail, use a method that provides tracking, such as certified mail or a courier service, so you can confirm USCIS received them.

If USCIS has received all your documents and your case is still pending after the published processing time, ask whether you can request a supervisor review or escalation. Some offices will expedite a case if there are unusual circumstances, such as a medical emergency or a job offer with a important date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is my receipt number if I cannot find my notice?

Your receipt number appears on the official notice USCIS mails to you after you submit your process. If you cannot find the notice, contact USCIS by phone at 1-800-375-5283 or visit a local office. Provide your name, date of birth, and the type of process you filed. USCIS can look up your receipt number in their system.

Can I check my status if someone else filed the process for me?

Yes. You can search by your receipt number or by your name and date of birth. The system does not require you to be the person who filed the process. If you are checking on behalf of a family member, you will need either their receipt number or their name, date of birth, and country of birth.

How often does the status update?

The USCIS Case Status Online system updates once per day. If your case status changed today, you may not see the new status until tomorrow. If you checked yesterday and the status was "Case pending," check again the next day to see if it has changed.

What does it mean if my case status disappeared from the system?

This can happen if your case is very old, if your receipt number is no longer in the active database, or if there was an error when you entered your information. Try searching again using your name and date of birth instead of your receipt number. If the case still does not appear, contact USCIS directly.

Can I check my status if I am outside the United States?

Yes. The USCIS website is accessible from anywhere in the world. You can check your status online using your receipt number or by searching with your name and date of birth. If you need to speak with someone, you can call USCIS from outside the U.S., though international calling rates will explore.