Navigating the U.S. immigration system involves paperwork and, often, a waiting period. Fortunately, the U.S. government provides several reliable online tools that allow applicants to track their case progress and estimate how long a decision might take.
This guide outlines the essential steps to check your case status and processing times, ensuring you stay up-to-date directly through official U.S. government resources.
1. The Essential Tool: USCIS Case Status Online
The primary method for checking the status of most immigration applications (such as Form I-485, N-400, I-130, etc.) is the USCIS Case Status Online tool.
Procedure: Checking Your Case Status
The process is quick, provided you have your key document ready:
- Locate Your Receipt Number: You must have the unique 13-character receipt number (e.g., EAC-20-999-99999) issued by USCIS. This number can be found on the receipt notice (Form I-797C, Notice of Action) that USCIS mailed to you after receiving your application or petition.
- Access the Tool: Go to the official USCIS Case Status Online page.
- Enter the Number: Enter the 13-character receipt number into the text field. Do not include hyphens (e.g., enter EAC2099999999).
- View Status: Click “Check Status.” The system will instantly display the most recent status update for your case (e.g., “Case Was Received,” “Request for Evidence Was Sent,” or “Card Was Delivered to Me”).
- Read also:-
- How Birthright Citizenship is Acquired in the USA.
- U.S. Family-Based Immigration: A Detailed Guide to Visa Procedures
- US Proposes Mandatory Passport for All New Diversity Visa Applicants
Pro Tip: If your case is being handled by the U.S. Department of State (e.g., an immigrant visa application being processed outside the U.S. by an embassy or consulate), you should use the CEAC Visa Status Check tool, which requires your case number and location.
2. Finding Case Processing Times
Knowing the average processing time helps you manage expectations and determine when you are eligible to submit an inquiry about a delayed case.
- Official Tool: USCIS provides a separate Case Processing Times page.
- What You Need: To use this tool, you must know the specific USCIS form number you filed and the office (Service Center or Field Office) currently processing your application.
- How it Works: The tool provides an estimate of how long it took USCIS to complete 80% of adjudicated cases for that specific form and office during the last six months. This allows you to compare your own filing date to the average timeline.
3. Submitting a Case Inquiry
If your case has been pending longer than the estimated time shown on the processing times page, you may be eligible to submit an e-Request for an “Outside Normal Processing Times” inquiry directly through the USCIS website.
