Where to check your immigration status

Your immigration status is a legal classification that determines what you can and cannot do in the United States — work, travel, study, or stay. The official record lives in a government database, and you can view it yourself through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website or by contacting USCIS directly.

The fastest way is the USCIS online case status tool at uscis.gov/case-status. You enter your receipt number (a code that starts with three letters, like EAD or I-130) and your date of birth. The system tells you whether your case is pending, approved, or denied. If you don't have a receipt number, you can call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 to request one or ask an agent to look up your status by name and date of birth.

If you are already in the United States and have a physical document — a green card, work permit, student visa, or passport stamp — that document itself shows your status. The expiration date matters: an expired document does not automatically change your status, but it may limit what you can do until you renew it.

Key Takeaways

  • Check your USCIS case status online at uscis.gov/case-status using your receipt number, or call 1-800-375-5283 if you don't have one.
  • Your physical immigration document — green card, visa, work permit, or passport stamp — shows your current status and its expiration date.
  • Status categories include citizen, permanent resident (green card holder), temporary visa holder (student, work, tourist), and undocumented, each with different rights and restrictions.
  • If you have a pending case, the USCIS website updates every 24 hours and shows whether your case is being processed, approved, or denied.
  • An expired document does not change your legal status, but you may need to renew it to work, travel, or prove your status to an employer.

Understanding the main status categories

U.S. Citizen means you have passed a naturalization test, taken an oath, and received a certificate. You hold a U.S. passport. You can vote, work anywhere, sponsor family members, and travel freely. You can check your citizenship status through the State Department if you have a passport, or through USCIS if your naturalization case is still pending.

Permanent Resident (green card holder) means you have been granted the right to live and work in the United States indefinitely. Your green card is valid for 10 years (or 2 years if conditional). You can work for any employer, travel outside the U.S. and return, and sponsor certain family members. You cannot vote or hold certain government jobs. Check your status through USCIS using your receipt number or by calling the number above.

Temporary Visa Holder includes students (F-1), workers (H-1B, L-1, O-1), tourists (B-1/B-2), and others. Your visa is valid for a specific period and purpose. You can only work if your visa permits it, and only for the employer or in the field named on your visa. Your status expires on the date shown in your passport or on your I-94 arrival/departure record. Check your I-94 at cbp.gov/i94.

Undocumented means you entered without inspection, overstayed a visa, or violated the terms of your status. You have no legal right to work or travel outside the U.S. You may still have options — some people can file for relief, and some states offer driver's licenses or work permits regardless of status. Consult an immigration attorney or a nonprofit legal clinic to learn what options exist in your situation.

What your physical documents tell you

If you hold a green card, look at the front. Your name, date of birth, and card number appear on the left. On the right, you see the expiration date. Below that is a category code (A09, A10, IR2, etc.) that shows how you obtained permanent residency — through employment, family sponsorship, diversity visa, refugee status, or another route. The category does not change your rights, but it matters if you later sponsor a family member or explore for citizenship.

If you hold a work permit (Employment Authorization Document, or EAD), the front shows your name, photo, and expiration date. The back lists any restrictions — for example, "valid for work authorization only with [employer name]" or "valid for self-employment." Some EADs are unrestricted and allow you to work for any employer. The expiration date is critical: an expired EAD means you cannot legally work, even if your underlying case is still pending.

If you hold a student visa (F-1, M-1, or J-1), your passport contains a visa stamp showing the visa type and the date it was issued. The stamp itself does not expire, but it shows when you entered. Your actual status is tracked in the SEVIS system (for F-1 and M-1) or the EXCHANGE VISITOR system (for J-1). Your school or program administrator can tell you your current status. You can also check SEVIS online if you have a SEVIS ID number.

If you hold a travel document (Advance Parole or Refugee Travel Document), the front shows your name, photo, and expiration date. This document allows you to leave the U.S. and return without losing your status. It is not a visa and does not grant status by itself — it is permission to travel while your underlying case is pending or while you hold a specific status (like refugee or asylee).

How to read your USCIS case status online

Go to uscis.gov/case-status and enter your receipt number and date of birth. The system shows one of several statuses. "Case received" means USCIS has logged your process but has not yet assigned it to an officer. "Case is being reviewed" means an officer is examining your file. "Case approved" means you have been granted the status or benefit you sought — but you may still need to take a next step, like paying a fee, attending an interview, or picking up a document.

"Case denied" means USCIS has rejected your process. The notice will explain why. You may be able to appeal or file a new process if circumstances have changed. "Case closed" can mean your case was approved and completed, or it can mean it was abandoned or withdrawn. The notice will clarify which.

The website updates every 24 hours. If you submitted your process recently, check back in a few days. If your case has been pending for months or years, the status may not change for long periods — this is normal. If the status has not changed in over a year and you believe something is wrong, call USCIS and ask to speak with a case officer.

What to do if you cannot find your receipt number

Your receipt number appears on the notice USCIS sent you when they received your process. It is a nine-character code like EAD-22-123-4567 or I130-21-987-6543. If you lost this notice, check your email for a copy, or look through your filing documents — you may have saved it.

If you truly cannot locate it, call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283. Have your name, date of birth, and the type of process you filed (green card, work permit, visa petition, naturalization, etc.) ready. An agent can search the database and provide your receipt number. You can also visit a USCIS office in person, though wait times are often long. Find your local office at uscis.gov/field-offices.

Some people file through a lawyer or an employer. If that is your situation, contact them first — they may have copies of your receipt number and can also check your status on your behalf.

Understanding status changes and what triggers them

Your status can change in several ways. If you are approved for a green card, your status shifts from temporary visa holder (or undocumented) to permanent resident on the date USCIS approves your case. If you are approved for citizenship, your status becomes citizen on the date you take the oath. If you overstay a visa or work without authorization, your status becomes undocumented, even if you later file for relief.

Some status changes happen automatically; others require you to take action. If your green card expires, your status does not change — you are still a permanent resident — but you cannot travel outside the U.S. until you renew it. If your work permit expires, you can no longer work legally, even if your underlying case is still pending. If you leave the U.S. without a travel document while your case is pending, you may abandon your case.

Certain actions can also affect your status. If you are convicted of certain crimes, you may lose your green card or become deportable. If you work outside the scope of your visa, you may violate your status. If you fail to maintain your student status (by dropping below full-time enrollment), you may lose your F-1 status. Understanding these rules is important, especially if your status is temporary.

When to contact an immigration attorney

You should consult an immigration attorney if your status is unclear, if you have received a notice of intent to deny or a removal notice, if you have a criminal record and are unsure how it affects your status, or if you want to change your status and are not sure what options exist.

You can also contact a nonprofit legal clinic. Many cities have organizations that offer free or low-cost immigration information. Search "immigration legal clinic near me" or contact your local bar association for referrals. If you cannot afford a lawyer, some organizations work on a sliding scale or pro bono basis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check someone else's immigration status?

No. USCIS will only release case status information to the person whose case it is, or to someone with a power of attorney or legal authorization. You cannot check a family member's or friend's status without their receipt number and permission, or without legal authority to act on their behalf.

What does it mean if my status says "case received" but it has been six months?

Processing times vary by process type and location. Some cases take six months to a year or longer before an officer reviews them. You can call USCIS to ask the estimated processing time for your type of case and your local office. If the time has far exceeded the estimate, ask to speak with a case officer about whether your file is complete.

If my visa expires, does my status expire too?

Not always. Your visa is a document that lets you enter the U.S.; your status is your legal right to be here. If you are on an F-1 student visa and your visa expires while you are still in school and maintaining your status, you can stay. However, you cannot travel outside the U.S. and return without a valid visa. If you are on an H-1B work visa and your visa expires, you can stay and work if your employer has filed an extension, but you cannot travel outside the U.S. without a valid visa. Check with your school or employer about what you need to do.

What happens if I overstay my visa?

Overstaying a visa makes you undocumented. You lose your legal status and cannot work, travel, or renew your visa. You may face deportation. However, you may have options — some people can file for relief, and some states offer certain benefits regardless of status. Consult an immigration attorney when ready if you have overstayed or are about to overstay.

Can I have more than one immigration status at the same time?

No. You have one primary status at any given time. However, you can be in the process of changing status — for example, you might hold an F-1 student visa while your green card process is pending. In this case, your current status is F-1, but you are seeking permanent resident status. Once your green card is approved, your status becomes permanent resident.