How to Check a USCIS Case Status

If you have a U.S. visa, immigration or naturalization case, you can check its status online. Such cases are handled by a segment of the Department of Homeland Security, the Citizenship and Immigration Services or CIS. Recently the USCIS revamped its web site to make it easier to use, more transparent and more accessible to applicants. You can use the CIS web site to check your case status. Examples of cases you can check online this way are immigrant visa petitions, employment authorization, alien registration and naturalization.

Please make sure your case is currently pending with USCIS. If you filed for an immigrant visa and your case has been approved and transferred to the National Visa Center or NVC, or your U.S. embassy, the web site won't be able to track it and you won't see any updates.

Things You'll Need

• USCIS case receipt number
• Internet access

Instructions

1. Get your case receipt number.

   When the Department of Homeland Security sends an applicant or petitioner a notice of receipt, it includes a receipt number. Refer to yours to find out what your USCIS case receipt number is. It should appear in the upper-left of the form. It is a 13-digit series minus dashes.

2. Go to the case status page in the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Servies web site.

   Enter uscis.gov in your browser's location bar. On the front page, you will see a navigation menu on the left side. Under the section "After I File" click on "Check My Case Status."

   Now you will see a status indicator with a text field on the side. The status indicator lists the following possibilities:

   - Acceptance (complete application received)
   - Initial Review
   - Request for Evidence (when there is a missing document, insufficient evidence, etc.)
   - Testing and Interview
   - Decision (adjudication of your case)
   - Post-Decision Activity (action after the approval or denial of your case)
   - Document Production or Oath Ceremony (such as green card, employment authorization card, naturalization)

3. Enter your case receipt number.

   To view your case status, enter your receipt number in the text field. Enter all characters, but do not use dashes or spaces. Hit "Check Status' when you're done.

4. View the result of your query.

   The USCIS form page will return your case status in seconds. It will highlight in graphic format where your petition or application is at. For example, if the circle above "Acceptance" is highlighted, it means your complete petition or application package has been received. Look below the illustration for the text report on your case. It will briefly explain the status of your case and ask you to refer to the information sent.

   An example of a USCIS case status report is as follows:

   "Post-Decision Activity

   "On January 1, 2003, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this OS155A IMMIGRANT VISA AND ALIEN REGISTRATION. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

   "For approved applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include USCIS sending notification of the approved application/petition to the National Visa Center or the Department of State. For denied applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include the processing of an appeal and/or motions to reopen or reconsider and revocations."

   The following steps show other ways to obtain updates on your case.

5. Register at the USCIS web site for e-mail updates.

   As an option, you can register at the web site to receive automatic e-mail updates on your case. Below the case status report, and on the home page under "After I File," you will find the link to the sign-up page. Read the terms of use and provide the information required. Your updates will be sent via e-mail and/or text messages. This option is useful if you want to track your petition or application without having to use the USCIS web site each time.

6. Call USCIS for telephone updates.

   Dial the National Customer Service Center number 1-800-375-528. Listen to the voice prompts carefully as their menu may change. Follow the directions and enter your USCIS case receipt number. An automated voice recording will give the update.

7. Check processing times.

   Additionally, you can view aveage processing times of various types of cases handled by USCIS. At the very bottom of the case status report, you will see the query field for processing times. You can also find this below the "Before I File" section on the home page.

Tips & Warnings

• USCIS' case status service is also available in Spanish.

• Always have your receipt number and alien registration number handy. You will need it every time you get in touch with USCIS.

• Save all your USCIS receipts.

• To get text updates, you will need a U.S. phone number.

• If you don't hear about your case for too long, or you feel it needs special attention, make an appointment visa InfoPass.

• Be careful about using the USCIS web site on a public computer or unsecured Internet connection.

• USCIS can't tell you anything about your case if it is no longer there. If your visa package has been forwarded to the National Visa Center, call [phone] or send e-mail to [e-mail]. You must provide either your USCIS or NVC case number, and the names and birth dates of both petitioner and beneficiary.

Resources

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
• About.com: How Do I Check On the Status of My Case?
• InfoPass