For instance, the only option for form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor, is the Immigrant Investor Program Office.Īfter selecting the office, the tool will show you the processing times. For some forms, you might only see one or two options. The available service centers or field offices will depend on the form you select since not all service centers process all forms. Then we were able to choose from five USCIS service centers. We’ve selected form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative in this example. Remember to check the first three letters of your receipt number to see which service center is processing your case. On the USCIS Processing Times page, you can select up to 40 USCIS forms to review.Īfter selecting the form, the tool will let you choose your service center. If you’re looking at processing times before submitting your information, you can still look at each service center’s processing times to get an idea of how long you will likely wait for case processing.įirst, select the form that pertains to your case from the dropdown menu. If you want to see how long USCIS is taking to process certain cases, visit their Processing Times page. However, a great way to receive updates on your case is to set up an account online with USCIS, where you will receive updates on all your cases. If you have specific questions, it is best to ask your immigration attorney as they will likely be able to get you information quicker.Īs of 2018, USCIS no longer accepts emails inquiring about case status. If you want to talk to an agent, it is nearly impossible as pressing “0” or any other key several times will not get you to an agent. The system will repeat the number to you to confirm and then tell you your case status. You can either say your receipt number or enter it using the keypad. For example, you can say “Check Status,” and it will then ask you for your receipt number. After the script, the system will let you know that it understands complete sentences and will ask you to describe what you need. If you want to continue in English, stay on the line.Īfter that, the automated system will let you know that the call volume is high and recommend visiting the website to see if USCIS can answer your question with their tools. If you want to continue in Spanish, you need to press 2. When you call, you will hear the operator asking if you would like to continue in Spanish. To verify your status over the phone, you need to call 1-80. You will need your receipt number to check your USCIS case status through the phone.

In our example, our unique case number is 123245. The last five digits are your unique case number. In our example, we opened our case on the 13th computer workday of the fiscal year. The following three digits indicate the computer workday that USCIS opened our case in the fiscal year. Therefore, the fiscal year runs from October 1 through September 30 of the following year. In our example, we opened our case in the 2022 fiscal year. The two digits after the three letters dictate the fiscal year USCIS opened your case. For instance, if you live in Vermont, but your petition is for an E-2 visa, your case will go through the California Service Center. Instead, the deciding factor is your type of case and the service center that processes the corresponding forms.

Your distance to a service center does not always dictate where your case will end. Our case goes through the Texas Service Center in our example receipt number. IOE: USCIS Electronic Immigration System.The first three letters in the number identify the corresponding USCIS Field Office or Service Center for your case. For example, to understand the different components, let’s create a fake receipt number that is SRC-25. Understanding the USCIS Receipt NumberĮvery letter or number in your USCIS receipt number is a specific identifier that is helpful for you to understand. The corresponding USCIS Field Office or Service Center will be at the bottom of the form.

In this I-797A example, you can find the USCIS receipt number in the top-left. Your receipt number is in the top left-hand corner of your I-797. Your I-797 states the USCIS receipt number and other important information that helps you know your case status and who to contact. If entered correctly, the following screen will show the status of your case.

Enter the 13-digit USCIS receipt number.

Visit the USCIS Case Status Online Tool.

Once you receive your I-797, you can check your status using the following steps. The easiest way to check your USCIS case status is online.

N400 processing time