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Bradford H. Bernstein
This article was written and reviewed by Bradford H. Bernstein, a second-generation leader at Law Offices of Spar & Bernstein, P.C., who has helped over 100,000 clients with immigration and personal injury issues. Brad joined the firm in 1993, became a partner in 1997, and assumed leadership in 2000 after Harry Spar retired.
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USCIS Receipt: Key Points
- The time it takes to receive a notice from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is typically 30 days
- The notice confirms that USCIS has received your application. It may also inform you of rejections, case re-openings, interview appointments, or transferring your case to another office
- You can check your case status through the USCIS website, in person, by phone, mail, or email
Every year, USCIS receives thousands of applications and petitions related to immigration processes.
Whether you filed a citizenship application, a visa petition, Green Card renewal, or adjustment of status application, waiting for confirmation that your documents were received can be stressful.
How long does it take to get a receipt from USCIS, exactly?
We’ll share:
- USCIS receipt notice timeline
- When USCIS sends out a receipt
- What information the notice includes
- How to check the status of your immigration case
Haven’t received your USCIS receipt yet?
How Long Does It Take To Get A Receipt From USCIS?
It typically takes one month to obtain a receipt notice from USCIS after filing an application or petition such as:
- Form I-485 for an adjustment of status
- Form I-130 for a family member
- Form I-140 for employment-based immigration
However, it could take longer based on your specific forms or location centers.
If your receipt is taking longer than usual, contact an experienced immigration attorney who will review the status of your application or petition and determine your next steps.
When Does USCIS Send Out A Receipt Notice?
USCIS sends you Form I-797C, Notice of Action, to communicate:
- Receipt, indicating that USCIS received your application, accepted it and will start reviewing your case.
- Rejection, in case you included the wrong payment or filed incorrectly. In this case, you will need to submit your petition or application again.
- Reopening of your case.
- Scheduling or rescheduling of an interview or a fingerprint or biometric capture appointment.
- Transfer of files to another USCIS office.
To avoid potential delays in your case, make sure to carefully read your receipt. Keep in mind that Form I-797C does not mean you are eligible for an immigration benefit. It simply shows that you have submitted a request to USCIS.
5 Ways To Check The Status Of Your Immigration Case
There are several ways to check out the status of your case.
1. Online
If you already have your receipt number from USCIS, you can use it to track the status of your case online. To do this:
- Visit the case status section on the USCIS website.
- Enter the number on your receipt without any spaces.
- View the results.
You can also create an online account that will allow you to:
- File forms.
- Manage your contact information.
- View appointment notices.
- Check your case status.
- Provide information on Requests for Evidence (RFE).
- Get updates on USCIS’ decisions related to your case.
2. By Phone
Call USCIS on 1-800-375-5283. Regardless of whether you have a receipt number or not, USCIS agents can help you find information about the progress of your application or petition.
3. In Person
If you lost your receipt number or want to check your case status in person, contact USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 or visit the USCIS website to schedule an InfoPass appointment.
4. By Mail
If your application or petition was submitted through a local USCIS field office, you can ask for a case status update by mail. Send a request letter that includes:
- Your name
- Your date of birth
- The date and place you filed your petition or application
- Your USCIS receipt number (if you have one)
- A copy of your receipt notice (if you have one)
5. By Email/Phone App/Text Message
If you want to receive automatic updates on your case by email, create an account with USCIS and provide your email address and your receipt number.
If you want to receive notifications about your case progress by phone, create an account with USCIS and provide your phone number along with your receipt number.
If you want to use an app, check out one of the following:
- USCIS Checker (available for iOS, Android, and Windows)
- USCIS Case Status Notifier (available for Android)
- USCIS Helper (available for iOS)
- Case Status Lite (available for iOS and Android)
Understanding Your USCIS Receipt Notice
Your USCIS receipt notice has a number, often referred to as a Green Card number, a permanent resident card number or just a case number. It is used to identify and track your immigration case.
This number includes 13 digits, each serving a specific purpose.
- The first three letters stand for the service center where your case was received. For example, TSC denotes Texas Service Center, CSC — California Service Center, NSC — Nebraska Service Center, NBC — National Benefits Center.
- The two digits following the service center show the fiscal year your case was received.
- The third set of digits stands for the computer workday in the fiscal year when your case was opened. A computer workday is equal to a workday, the sequence excluding the weekends and holidays. The USCIS fiscal year starts on October 1 and ends on September 30.
- The last five digits of your receipt number show the number of your immigration case.
Let’s take, for example, a receipt number saying TSC 19 015 74023.
This means your immigration case was received at the Texas Service Center for the fiscal year 2019. The digits 015 show that your case was opened on the 15th working day of the fiscal year, which is October 19, 2018. Your immigration case is filed under the number 74023.
Your receipt number is different from your alien registration number (A-Number), which contains 7-9 digits and is used by USCIS to identify non-citizens.
USCIS Receipt: Key Takeaways
- Expect your USCIS receipt in 30 days after submitting your application or petition.
- The Notice of Action doesn’t provide immigration benefits; it just confirms USCIS has received your documents.
- Use the 13-digit receipt number to track your case online, by phone, mail, or app, as most convenient for you.
How Spar & Bernstein Can Help With Your USCIS Application & Status Review
If you have already submitted your application or petition but have not received a Notice of Action to confirm that USCIS received your documents, our team at Spar & Bernstein is here to help.
With over 60 years of experience in immigration law, from family immigration, employment immigration or citizenship and naturalization to DACA and waivers, we have helped 10,000+ clients successfully resolve their cases and obtain immigration benefits.
In your USCIS receipt is delayed, our team will:
- Review your case details and determine possible reasons for a delayed reply.
- Help you prepare and file your application or petition again, if it has been rejected by USCIS for incorrect submission.
- Help you prepare for an interview, if required, by discussing the possible questions and organizing a mock interview so you feel prepared and relaxed.
- Recommend future action if your case is taking too long to process.
- Assist with preparing and filing additional required documentation related to your case.
Confused by USCIS forms and receipts?
USCIS Receipt: FAQs
Have more questions about USCIS receipts? Check out the section below.
Why does my USCIS receipt take longer than expected?
If your USCIS receipt takes longer than expected, this may be due to various reasons, including an incomplete application, incorrect fees, high application volume, or processing backlogs at specific service centers.
Can I speed up my USCIS receipt notice?
There is no official way to expedite receipt notices. However, to prevent delays, make sure your application is complete, accurately filled, and submitted to the correct address can help prevent delays. If you have doubts, talk to our experienced team at Spar & Bernstein.
What should I do if my USCIS receipt notice has incorrect information?
If you see an error on your receipt notice, for example, a misspelled name or mentioning an incorrect form, contact USCIS immediately or talk to an immigration lawyer to do it for you.
Feeling lost in the USCIS process?