Where to check your H-1B status

You can check your H-1B petition status through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website using your receipt number. The receipt number appears on the I-797 Notice of Action that USCIS mailed to you when they received your petition. It starts with three letters followed by ten digits (for example, EAC2412345678).

Go to the USCIS Case Status Online tool at uscis.gov/case-status. Enter your receipt number in the search box and click "Check Status". The system will show you where your petition stands in the review process and whether USCIS has requested additional documents.

This tool updates regularly but not when ready. If you submitted your petition recently, it may take a few days for the status to appear in the system. Check back after a week if you do not see your case yet.

Key Takeaways

  • Your receipt number (starting with three letters and ten digits) is the only information you need to check status on the USCIS website.
  • The USCIS Case Status Online tool at uscis.gov/case-status is the official source and does not charge a fee.
  • Status updates can take several days to appear in the system after you submit your petition.
  • If USCIS requests additional documents, they will mail a Request for Evidence (RFE) to your attorney or employer, and the online status will indicate this.
  • Processing times vary by year and by USCIS service center, typically ranging from several months to over a year.

What each status message means

USCIS uses several standard status messages. "Case received" means USCIS has logged your petition into their system and assigned it a receipt number. This is the first step and usually appears within a week of submission.

"Case is being reviewed" indicates that USCIS is examining your petition documents. This phase can last for months while they verify your employer's information, your job description, and the wage level offered.

"Request for evidence issued" means USCIS found something incomplete or unclear and has mailed a formal request (called an RFE) to your employer's immigration attorney. Your employer must respond within the important date shown in the letter, usually 12 to 84 days depending on the issue. If they miss the important date, USCIS will deny the petition.

"Case approved" means USCIS has determined your petition meets all requirements. Your attorney will receive an I-797 approval notice in the mail. "Case denied" means USCIS rejected your petition; the denial letter explains the reason and whether you can reapply.

Understanding processing times

H-1B processing times depend on which USCIS service center handles your case and the time of year. The four service centers that process H-1B petitions are Vermont Service Center, Texas Service Center, California Service Center, and Nebraska Service Center. Each one publishes its own processing times on the USCIS website.

Processing times are typically longer during peak filing season, which runs from April through June each year (when employers submit petitions for the October start date). Cases filed outside this window often move faster. However, processing times are not may provide—some cases move through in a few months while others take over a year.

You can find current processing times by visiting uscis.gov/field-offices, selecting your service center, and looking for the "Processing Times" section. These estimates are updated regularly and give you a realistic picture of how long your case may take from receipt to decision.

What to do if your status has not changed in months

If your case shows "Case is being reviewed" and several months have passed beyond the published processing time, contact your employer's immigration attorney. They have access to internal USCIS systems and can file an inquiry on your behalf. Do not contact USCIS directly—they will direct you back to your attorney.

Your attorney can request a case review or escalation if the petition appears to be stuck. USCIS sometimes delays cases for background checks or additional verification, and an attorney can sometimes identify and resolve the hold-up. If USCIS has lost your file or made an error, your attorney can document this and request expedited handling.

If you have not heard from your employer's attorney in weeks, reach out to them directly. Sometimes petitions stall because the attorney is waiting for information from your employer (such as updated payroll records or a revised job description), and your employer may not realize the important date is approaching.

If USCIS requests additional documents

When USCIS issues a Request for Evidence, they mail it to your employer's immigration attorney, not to you directly. Your attorney will contact your employer and explain what documents are needed. Common requests include updated payroll records, proof that the job was advertised, letters from clients or customers confirming the work, or clarification of your job duties.

Your employer has a important date to respond—usually 12 days for straightforward requests, but up to 84 days for complex ones. The RFE letter states the exact important date. Missing this important date almost always results in denial, so your attorney should prioritize this response.

Once your attorney submits the response, the status will update to show that USCIS received it. Processing then continues, and you will eventually see either an approval or a denial. This second review phase typically takes several weeks to several months.

Tracking your petition without a receipt number

If you lost your receipt number, contact your employer's immigration attorney when ready—they have a copy in your file. If your employer did not use an attorney and you cannot locate the receipt number, you can request it from your employer's HR or immigration department. They received the same I-797 notice you did.

If you truly cannot recover the receipt number, USCIS can search by your name and date of birth, but this is slower and less reliable. Call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 and ask for a case number lookup. Have your full legal name, date of birth, and country of birth ready. They may ask for additional information to confirm your identity.

What happens after approval

Once USCIS approves your H-1B petition, you receive an I-797 approval notice. This notice is not a visa—it is permission for your employer to employ you in H-1B status. To actually enter the United States, you must explore for an H-1B visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the country (unless you are already in the U.S. and changing status).

Your employer will provide you with the approval notice and instructions for the next step. If you are outside the U.S., you will schedule a visa interview at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. If you are already in the U.S. on another visa (such as F-1 student status), your employer may file for a change of status, which is handled by USCIS rather than the State Department.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does the USCIS status tool update?

The USCIS Case Status Online tool updates regularly, but not in real time. Updates typically appear within a few days of USCIS taking action on your case. If you check multiple times in a single day, you will likely see the same status. Checking once a week is reasonable; checking daily will not show you new information faster.

Can my employer check my petition status?

Yes. Your employer's immigration attorney can check your status using the receipt number. They may also have access to internal USCIS systems that show more detail than the public-facing tool. If you want your employer to monitor your case, provide them with your receipt number or ask your attorney to keep you both updated.

What if the status tool says my case was denied but I have not received a letter?

The online status sometimes updates before the physical denial letter arrives in the mail. Contact your employer's immigration attorney when ready—they may have received the denial notice already or can request it from USCIS. Do not wait for the letter to arrive; your attorney needs to review the denial reason and determine whether you can reapply or appeal.

Does checking my status online affect my petition?

No. Checking your status through the USCIS Case Status Online tool does not change your case or trigger any action. You can check as often as you want without any negative effect on your petition.

What if my receipt number does not work in the status tool?

Double-check that you entered the number correctly—it should be three letters followed by ten digits with no spaces or dashes. If it is correct and still does not appear, your petition may not have been entered into the system yet (this can take up to a week after submission). Wait a few days and try again. If it still does not work after two weeks, contact your employer's immigration attorney.