Where to Check Your Green Card Status

You can check your green card status through USCIS.gov, the official website of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The site has a tool called "Check Your Case Status" that lets you look up where your process stands without calling or visiting an office.

To use it, you will need your receipt number. This is an 13-character code that starts with three letters (usually EAC, WAC, LIN, or SRC) followed by 10 numbers. You received this number when USCIS first accepted your process and it appeared on your receipt notice, also called an I-797 form.

The status tool works for most green card applications, including family-based petitions, employment-based petitions, and diversity visa cases. It does not work for applications filed at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the country — those follow a different tracking system.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to USCIS.gov and use the "Check Your Case Status" tool with your receipt number to see where your process stands.
  • Your receipt number is a 13-character code starting with three letters, found on the I-797 notice USCIS sent you when they accepted your process.
  • The online tool updates every 24 hours and shows the last action USCIS took on your case, though it does not always explain what comes next.
  • If you applied through a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad, use the National Visa Center (NVC) website instead of USCIS.
  • When the status says "decision made" or "case approved", your green card is either in the mail or ready to pick up at a USCIS office.

How to Find Your Receipt Number

Your receipt number appears on the I-797 Notice of Action that USCIS mailed to you after they received your process. This is usually a white form with a barcode and your name at the top. Look for a line that says "Receipt Number" — the code next to it is what you need.

If you cannot find your original notice, check your email. If you filed online through an immigration attorney or a USCIS-authorized service, you may have received a copy by email. You can also call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 to request your receipt number, though wait times are often long.

Do not confuse your receipt number with your case number, process number, or alien number. Only the receipt number works in the status tool.

What the Status Messages Mean

When you enter your receipt number, USCIS shows you the last action taken on your case. Common statuses include "case received and pending review," "case is being reviewed," "interview scheduled," "decision made," and "case approved."

"Case received and pending review" means USCIS has logged your process but has not started detailed work on it yet. "Case is being reviewed" means an officer is examining your documents. "Interview scheduled" means USCIS wants to meet with you in person — the notice will say where and when. "Decision made" means USCIS has finished reviewing your case and made a choice, though the tool does not always say whether it was approved or denied. "Case approved" means your process was granted and your green card is being printed or is ready for pickup.

The tool updates once every 24 hours, usually overnight. If you checked yesterday and nothing has changed, checking again today may show new information, but checking multiple times in the same day will not.

Steps to Check Your Status Online

Step 1: Go to www.uscis.gov in your web browser.

Step 2: Look for the "Check Your Case Status" link. It is usually on the homepage under a section called "Tools" or "Check Status." You can also search for "check case status" in the site's search box.

Step 3: Click the link to open the status tool. You will see a box asking for your receipt number.

Step 4: Type your receipt number exactly as it appears on your I-797 notice — all capital letters and numbers, with no spaces or dashes.

Step 5: Click "Check Status" or press Enter. The tool will show you the last action on your case and the date it happened.

If the tool says "case not found," double-check that you typed your receipt number correctly. If it is correct and the case still does not appear, your process may not have been received yet, or there may be a delay in the system updating. Wait a few days and try again.

When You Applied Through a Consulate or Embassy

If you applied for your green card at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the United States, the USCIS status tool will not show your case. Instead, you use the National Visa Center (NVC) website at www.nvc.state.gov.

The NVC handles visa cases that are being processed abroad. You will need your case number, which is different from a USCIS receipt number. It usually appears in correspondence from the NVC or the consulate. The NVC site lets you check whether your case is waiting for documents, scheduled for an interview, or ready for visa issuance.

What to Do When Your Status Does Not Change

Green card processing times vary widely depending on the type of process, your country of origin, and current USCIS workload. Some cases move through in a few months; others take years. If your status has not changed in several months, that does not always mean something is wrong.

However, if your case has been pending longer than USCIS's published processing time for your process type, you can file a case inquiry. Go to USCIS.gov and look for "File a Case Inquiry" or "Request Case Review." You will need your receipt number and a description of why you believe there is a delay. USCIS typically responds within 30 days.

You can also call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 to speak with an officer, though wait times are often several hours. Have your receipt number ready when you call.

Understanding "Decision Made" vs. "Case Approved"

When the status tool shows "decision made," USCIS has finished reviewing your case, but the tool does not always tell you whether the decision was approval or denial. To find out, you need to check your mail or contact USCIS directly.

If your case was approved, USCIS will mail you a notice saying so, and your green card will arrive separately in the mail within a few weeks. If your case was denied, you will receive a notice explaining the reason and whether you can appeal or reapply.

When the status shows "case approved," your green card has been approved and is either being printed, in the mail, or ready for pickup at a USCIS office. The notice you receive will tell you how to get it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my green card status if someone else filed for me?

Yes, as long as you have the receipt number. The status tool does not require you to prove you are the applicant — it only asks for the receipt number. If you do not have it, ask the person who filed for you to provide it, or contact USCIS directly with your name and date of birth.

How often should I check my status?

Checking once a week is reasonable. Checking multiple times per day will not show you new information because the system updates only once every 24 hours. If you are waiting for an interview notice, check your mail regularly as well — USCIS mails interview notices separately from the online status.

What if the status tool says my case was not found?

First, make sure you typed your receipt number correctly — it is case-sensitive and has no spaces. If it is correct, your process may not have been received yet, or there may be a delay in the system. Wait a few days and try again. If the problem continues, call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283.

Does the status tool show if my green card is in the mail?

No. The tool shows the last action USCIS took, but it does not track mail delivery. Once your status shows "case approved," your green card is being printed or is ready for pickup. USCIS will mail you a separate notice telling you when to expect it or where to pick it up.

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

Yes. The USCIS status tool works from anywhere with an internet connection. If you applied through a consulate or embassy, use the NVC website instead. Both sites are accessible internationally.