Case Access & Government Resources

Applicants may track the progress of a filing through the USCIS Case Status Online system using the assigned receipt number.

This 13-character receipt number, issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) upon acceptance of an application or petition, serves as the official case reference. It consists of three letters followed by ten numbers (such as EAC, WAC, LIN, SRC, NBC, MSC, or IOE) and can be found on the Notice of Action issued by USCIS.

To review the current status of your matter, please access the USCIS Case Status Portal using your receipt number.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) generally reviews applications and petitions in the order they are received. Estimated processing time ranges for specific case types and service centers are published on the USCIS Processing Times page.

These estimates are updated monthly and reflect recent adjudication trends. Because processing times are subject to change and may vary based on workload and case complexity, they should be considered informational rather than definitive.

You may review the current processing times for the USCIS office handling your matter through the USCIS website.

Most immigration applications and petitions require the payment of a government filing fee at the time of submission. Applications submitted with incorrect or insufficient fees may be rejected by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Because USCIS periodically updates its fee schedule, applicants should confirm the current filing fee prior to submission. The most recent fee information is available on the USCIS website.

If you have a pending immigration application or petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), it is essential to notify USCIS promptly of any change of address to ensure continued receipt of official correspondence and case updates.

Most non-U.S. citizens residing in the United States are required to report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days of relocating. This requirement does not apply to individuals in A or G visa status or to Visa Waiver Program visitors.

We strongly recommend submitting your change of address through a USCIS online account as soon as you move.

Certain immigration processes, including Adjustment of Status within the United States, require completion of a medical examination conducted by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. In some cases, applicants may only need to complete the vaccination component of the medical requirements.

A directory of authorized civil surgeons is available through the USCIS website.

The Visa Bulletin, published monthly by the U.S. Department of State, provides updated information on immigrant visa availability for categories subject to annual numerical limits. It reflects priority date movement and indicates when applicants may proceed with the next stage of their immigration process.

The most current Visa Bulletin is available online through the U.S. Department of State website.

After an immigrant petition is approved by USCIS, the case is generally transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing. The NVC typically requires several weeks to create the visa case and enter petition information into its system.

Once this step is completed, applicants receive a “Welcome Letter” containing the assigned Case Number and Invoice ID, which are required to access the NVC portal and submit supporting documentation.

Review timelines at the NVC stage may vary depending on case volume and completeness of submissions. Applicants may monitor the status of their case directly through the Department of State’s NVC case tracking system.

The I-94 Arrival/Departure Record is issued electronically by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to foreign nationals upon entry into the United States. This record reflects the date of admission, class of admission, and the authorized period of stay.

The I-94 serves as official evidence of lawful entry and determines the date by which a non-citizen must depart the United States or take appropriate action to maintain lawful status.

Travelers may retrieve and print their I-94 record through the CBP online portal.

A Social Security Number (SSN) is a unique nine-digit identification number issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and certain non-citizens authorized to work in the United States.

The SSN serves as a national identification number used for employment reporting, taxation, and various administrative purposes. It is commonly required for activities such as employment verification, opening financial accounts, applying for credit, and accessing certain government benefits.

Applicants may review current eligibility requirements and application procedures directly through the Social Security Administration website.