Once you’ve filed your application or petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you probably want to check USCIS case status from time to time and get status updates. Processing of immigration forms and applications can take several months, and USCIS isn’t the most accessible customer service organization. With delays related to staffing budget shortfalls and high demand for services, the problem only seems to be getting worse. It's helpful to know how to navigate the system.
Table of ContentsThere are things you can do to minimize the wait and get regular status updates. Properly preparing your form and filing with the correct supporting documents is the best thing that you can do to receive the optimum processing time. Many people use CitizenPath to prepare USCIS forms because we make it easy and eliminate the problems that can delay your application or petition. We even guarantee that USCIS will approve your application or petition. Unfortunately, there isn’t much we (or anyone) can do to expedite your application or petition with USCIS once it has been submitted. See how it works >>
Here’s what you can do to check USCIS case status and get regular immigration updates.
Start the process by submitting a request for e-notification. This is a very simple form that you can generally file along with your primary application or petition. When you file Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition, with your application or petition, USCIS will provide you an email and/or text to let you know when they accept your form for processing.
The e-notification (text or email) will not include any personal information, but it does list your receipt number and tell you how to obtain additional case status information. USCIS will send the notification within 24 hours of accepting your form. Please note that an acceptance date may be slightly different than the physical date of receiving your mailed form. USCIS may need a day or two to review the contents before "accepting" it for processing.
There’s a small catch. This service is only available for forms filed at the four USCIS Lockbox facilities:
The good news is this does cover most forms.
The process is extremely simple and totally free. You can prepare a free G-1145 in just a few seconds. If preparing your application with CitizenPath, we always provide a complimentary G-1145 as well. Place the Form G-1145 on top of your primary application when you mail it in.
Once USCIS accepts your application or petition, they will also mail you a receipt notice. This receipt notice is formally known as Form I-797C, Notice of Action. For most forms, people are typically experiencing wait times of 2 to 4 weeks for the initial receipt notice. Forms like Form I-751 make take longer.
The first Notice of Action is an important receipt notice. The notice includes a 13-character receipt number that begins with three letters (such as EAC, IOE, WAC, LIN, or SRC). To view the status of a case, simply enter the receipt number into the Case Status tool on the USCIS website. You’ll get an update similar to the one pictured below.
If you have not received a receipt number to check your USCIS case status, you'll need to verify your application was filed. When mailing your application package to USCIS, we always recommend using a traceable courier so that you can track the package. If USCIS never provided you a receipt notice consider the following:
These are clues that USCIS actually received your package. Although rare, it's possible that USCIS successfully accepted your application, but the receipt notice got lost in the mail. If it's been at least 30 days since you filed, it may be necessary to contact USCIS and file again.
