How to check your USCIS case status — receipt number guide (2026)
Check your USCIS case status online with your 13-character receipt number. What the prefix letters (EAC, WAC, LIN, SRC, IOE, MSC) mean, what each status message means, and what to do if your case is past the normal processing time.
How to check your USCIS case status
You can track almost any pending USCIS application online, for free, using your receipt number. This guide explains where to find that number, what its prefix letters mean, and how to read the status messages.
Check your status in 3 ways
| Method | Where | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Case Status Online | egov.uscis.gov/casestatus | Your 13-character receipt number |
| myUSCIS online account | account at my.uscis.gov | Account login (shows all your cases + notices) |
| USCIS Contact Center | 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833) | Receipt number + your identity details |
There is never a fee to check your case status. USCIS will not call or email you demanding payment to “release” a case — that is a scam.
Your receipt number, decoded
Your receipt number is on Form I-797C, Notice of Action (the receipt notice). It is 13 characters: three letters, then ten digits — for example IOE1234567890. The three letters tell you which office has your case:
| Prefix | Office |
|---|---|
| IOE | Electronic / online filing (USCIS ELIS) |
| EAC | Vermont Service Center |
| WAC | California Service Center |
| LIN | Nebraska Service Center |
| SRC | Texas Service Center |
| MSC | National Benefits Center (NBC) |
| YSC | Potomac Service Center |
The same form can show different processing times depending on which office (prefix) is handling it.
What the common status messages mean
| Status message | What it means |
|---|---|
| Case Was Received | USCIS accepted your filing and assigned the receipt number. Now waiting in the queue. |
| Request for Additional Evidence Was Sent | An RFE was mailed — you must respond by the deadline or the case may be denied. |
| Interview Was Scheduled | An appointment notice is on the way; watch your mail and online account. |
| Case Was Approved | USCIS approved the application. |
| Card Was Mailed to Me | Your green card or work permit (EAD) was sent. |
| Case Was Denied | The application was denied; the notice explains why and any appeal/motion options. |
If your case is taking too long
- Check the current processing time for your specific form and office. (See our USCIS processing-times tool.)
- Confirm whether you are “outside normal processing time.” USCIS usually won’t act on an inquiry before the posted time passes.
- Submit a case inquiry through your myUSCIS account or the Contact Center.
- Keep your address current — file Form AR-11 within 10 days of any move so notices reach you.
Related information
- USCIS processing times — search all forms
- USCIS form library
- Form I-90 — green card renewal
- Form N-400 — naturalization
- Find an immigration attorney
Official source: USCIS Case Status Online
Last verified: 2026-06-04.
General procedural information, not legal advice. Verify your status only on the official USCIS site (uscis.gov). For case-specific questions, consult a licensed immigration attorney or a BIA-recognized representative.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check my USCIS case status?
Where is my receipt number?
What do the three letters at the start mean?
My case is past the posted processing time — what can I do?
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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.