After you've filed your petition or application with USCIS, what happens next? It takes time USCIS to process your case, so it's important to keep track on the status to ensure that your petition or application is processed in a timely manner and to check to see if there are any issues that may cause a delay in the processing of your case.
USCIS receives thousands of petitions and applications every year so processing times vary depending on the type of case you've filed and where you've filed it. You can check the processing times of the field offices, service centers, and National Benefits Center here: Processing Times. Some petitioner and applications can take several weeks to be approved and others can take several months to process.
Here are the different ways you can track the status of your case:
Phone
One way to check the status of your pending case is to call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283. You can call them whether or not you have a receipt number. Depending on how busy they are, you can be placed on hold anywhere from two minutes to two hours.
Online at the USCIS Website
A simple way to check the status of your pending case is to go to the USCIS website: USCIS Check Status. You will need your 13-character receipt number (ex. WAC-01-234-56789) in order to check online.
Email/Text/Phone App
You can also sign up for automatic updates and have them sent to your email by creating an account with USCIS and providing your email address: USCIS Sign-up for Case Updates. If you prefer to have updates on your case sent to your phone, after you've created an account, you can provide your phone number to receive a text message notifying you when a case status update has occurred. You will need your receipt number for both these options.There are also various types of phone apps you can use as well to track the status of your case such as USCIS Case Status Notifier (Android), Case Status Lite (Apple and Android), USCIS Helper (Apple), and USCIS Checker (Apple, Android, and Windows).
You can also request a case status update by mail if you've filed your petition or application through a local USCIS Field Office. In your letter, you'll need to provide your personal information such as your full name, birth date, alien number (if applicable), the date and place your petition or application was filed, and your receipt number (if you've received one). You should also include a copy of your receipt notice if you have it.
In Person
If you wish to find out the status of your case in person, you can schedule an InfoPass appointment with your local office and speak with an immigration officer. You can schedule an InfoPass appointment here: InfoPass Appointment Scheduling.
So what's the best way to keep updated on your case status? Most people prefer to have updates sent to their email or phone so that they don't have to constantly go to the USCIS website to check. If you've already been granted approval and want a preview of what is to come, check out everything you need to know about status changes.
Content in this publication is not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. For additional information on the issues discussed, consult a Bridge-affiliated partner attorney or another qualified legal professional.
