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Waiting is difficult for people in many different kinds of situations, but waiting to hear about the status of your immigration case can push stress and anxiety to new levels. Immigration cases always seem to have a backlog; once your paperwork has been submitted you may have to wait weeks or months until you receive any sort of communication, let alone a decision.

The U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) website does allow applicants to check their case status online, but what is reported online may not be entirely accurate. The wheels of government turn slowly, and if your application has to go through multiple steps or multiple agencies, then the status reported online could be inaccurate.

Fortunately, there are ways to obtain an accurate update on your case status.

Online Resources For Immigration Case Status Updates

All immigration-related agencies have an online presence with the ability to check your case status as long as you have your receipt number. The receipt number is a 13-character identifier that begins with 3 letters, followed by 10 numbers. A number is assigned to every application/petition and is used to track cases throughout the system. You can find your receipt number on any Notice of Action that the USCIS has sent to you.

As long as you have that number, you can log on to immigration sites to check your case status.

  • USCIS. If you have a petition with USCIS, visit https://egov.uscis.gov/e-request to conduct a status inquiry. Once on the site, click on “Case Outside of Normal Processing Time” and follow the prompts. You can also call 1-800-375-5283 to receive a case status update.
  • National Visa Center (NVC). If you are waiting for action from the National Visa Center, visit https://nvc.state.gov/inquiry and complete the online form. You can also call the NVC directly at 603-334-0700. You will need to provide your name and case information to follow up with an agent.

In all cases and for all agencies, you can always make a phone call to check the status of your immigration case. Sometimes, you will get the most accurate answer by speaking to another person.

Watch this video for more details about following up on your case status. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to view more videos on immigration topics.

Help Is Always Available At Our Florida Immigration Law Office

If all else fails or you are having trouble navigating the online systems, our immigration law office is always available to help you. Immigration attorney Gail Seeram has been named a top immigration lawyer in Florida every year since 2016 and is committed to helping applicants navigate the immigration and visa processes.

We offer free consultations and are currently offering virtual consultations. Send a free call or text 407-292-7730, email Gail@GailLaw.com, start a chat session at https://myorlandoimmigrationlawyer.com, or contact us on WhatsApp at 407-353-1363 to discuss your situation.