How to Check Your Immigration Case Status Online

Waiting for updates on your U.S. immigration application can be nerve-wracking. Fortunately, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and other government agencies offer convenient online tools to check the status of your case in real time.

Whether you’re applying for a visa, green card, work permit, or asylum, this guide will show you exactly how to check your immigration case status online in 2025 — and how to understand what your updates actually mean.

1. What Is a Case Status?

A case status tells you where your application, petition, or request stands in the review process. This can include:

Receipt confirmation
Requests for additional documents
Interview scheduling
Final decisions (approval/denial)

Case status updates help you track your progress and respond to USCIS or other agencies in a timely manner.

2. USCIS Online Case Status Tool

The most common way to check your immigration case status is through the USCIS Case Status Online portal.

🔗 Website:

https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus

✅ What You’ll Need:

Your 13-character USCIS receipt number (e.g., LIN1234567890)
Access to the internet and a browser

📝 Where to Find Your Receipt Number:

It’s printed on the Form I-797C Notice of Action, which USCIS sends after receiving your application.

📌 How to Check:

Go to the case status page
Enter your receipt number (no spaces)
Click “Check Status”

You’ll then see an update like:

Case Was Received
Biometrics Appointment Was Scheduled
Interview Was Completed
Case Was Approved/Denied

3. Creating a USCIS Online Account (Optional but Recommended)

To get more detailed updates, documents, and notifications, create a USCIS online account.

🔗 Sign Up:

https://my.uscis.gov

With a USCIS account, you can:

Track multiple applications
Receive email/text alerts
Upload documents (for RFEs)
Communicate with USCIS directly
Access interview notices and receipts

This is especially useful for:

Employment authorization (Form I-765)
Green card applications (Form I-485)
Naturalization (Form N-400)

4. NVC (National Visa Center) Case Status

If your case has been approved by USCIS and is being processed for a visa interview abroad, you’ll work with the National Visa Center (NVC).

🔗 NVC Case Status Tool:

https://ceac.state.gov/ceac

What You Need:

Visa case number (e.g., MTL2023123456)
Or Immigrant Data Summary (DS-260) confirmation number

Once logged in, you can:

Upload civil documents
Pay visa fees
Track interview dates

5. Immigration Court (EOIR) Case Status

If your case is in immigration court (removal proceedings), you can check the status using the EOIR portal.

🔗 EOIR Automated Case Info:

https://acis.eoir.justice.gov/en

What You’ll Need:

Your A-number (e.g., A123-456-789)

The system will tell you:

Next court hearing date and time
Judge name and courtroom location
Case outcome (if completed)

There’s also a phone option:
📞 1-800-898-7180 (EOIR Hotline)

6. Case Status Terminology Explained

When you check your status, you’ll often see confusing terms. Here’s what they typically mean:

Case Was Received – USCIS has received your application
Case Was Accepted By The Lockbox – Your package passed initial review
Biometrics Appointment Was Scheduled – You need to provide fingerprints
Request for Evidence (RFE) Sent – You must send more documents
Interview Scheduled – You have an in-person appointment
Case Was Approved – Congratulations, your petition was approved!
Card Was Mailed – Your work permit or green card is on the way
Case Denied – The petition was not approved

7. What to Do If There Are No Updates

If your status hasn’t changed in a while:

Make sure you entered your receipt number correctly
Log in to your USCIS account for extra details
Use USCIS Processing Times Tool to see typical wait periods:
https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times
Submit an online case inquiry if you believe it’s outside normal time

8. Tips for Tracking Your Case Efficiently

Sign up for email/text alerts through your USCIS account
Keep a digital folder with receipt numbers, notices, and confirmations
Set reminders for expected timeline milestones
Never rely solely on a lawyer or sponsor to track your case — monitor it yourself

9. What If My Case Is Denied or Delayed?

If your status shows a denial, you may:

File a motion to reopen or reconsider (Form I-290B)
Reapply if allowed
Consult an immigration attorney immediately

If your case is stuck in administrative processing, there’s often no way to speed it up. Be patient but persistent.

Final Thoughts

Thanks to online tracking tools, immigration applicants now have more control and transparency than ever before. Whether you’re checking your USCIS receipt number, NVC case, or EOIR court proceedings, staying informed helps you plan ahead and respond faster.