How to Check USCIS Case Status

What Is the USCIS Case Status?

Your United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) case status refers to the present standing of a submitted immigration application or petition. The case status, which may read anywhere from “Acceptance” to “Denied,” tells the applicant or petitioner how far along they are and whether they need to do anything else.

You can verify the current status of your application for work authorization, a green card, or any other immigration benefit with the USCIS using several methods.

If you have a USCIS online account or are using the USCIS case status online tracker feature, you can quickly check the whereabouts of your application. Inquire about your case status by phone or mail to find out where you stand with USCIS.

Regardless of the method you choose, you will need your receipt number, the 13-character code USCIS provided in a receipt notice after it accepted your application. You can also check our adjustment of status checklist for other required items.

How to Find Your Receipt Number To Check Your USCIS Case Status

Obtaining your case status through the USCIS case status online tool requires a 13-digit receipt number. Your USCIS receipt number also called the case receipt number, consists of three letters and ten numbers. Here is an example receipt number, CRC-30-023-12345.

When you submit an immigrant petition or application to USCIS, you will receive a receipt notification acknowledging that the agency has received your forms. This notification includes your unique receipt number. After applying, watch for this receipt notice issued via mail.

Your receipt number will begin with a three-letter code corresponding to the appropriate USCIS service center handling your immigration case. Here are some possible codes:

• If the California Service Center handles your case, your code will be WAC or CSC.

• If the Nebraska Service Center is processing your case, your code will be LIN or NSC.

• If the Texas Service Center is handling your issue, your code will be SRC or TSC.

• If the Vermont Service Center handles your case, your code will be EAC or VSC.

• If the National Benefits Center is handling your application, NBC.

• If the Missouri Service Center handles your case, your code will be MSC.

• If the USCIS Electronic Immigration System is handling your case, your code will be IOE.

This three-letter code is followed by ten digits that constitute your receipt or case number. If you have not yet received your receipt number, contact the USCIS National Customer Service Center for assistance.

Once you have obtained your receipt number, you may check your USCIS case status online, by phone, or by mail.

Alternative Methods for Checking the Status of Your USCIS Case Status

If you want to inquire about your application process’s progress offline, you can do so via email, telephone, direct mail, or in person at your local processing center. Note that these methods of inquiry may involve longer wait times for status updates in some circumstances, like adjustment of status for Parents.

Checking Your USCIS Case Status via Phone

An initial step in checking the status of your case is to call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC). To check your case status via telephone, dial 1-800-375-5283. When inquiring about your case status by phone, you will need your receipt number, alien registration number, application type, and filing date.

Your waiting time will depend on the number of other callers inquiring about the status update of their case. In some cases, the wait time may exceed two hours.

During the call, you must take note of the following:

• NCSC representative’s name and/or ID number
• Call date and time
• The service request reference number if the service request has been made on a pending case