It can take several months to get a decision on your green card application, and your immigration status hangs in the balance. Fortunately, you can check on the status of your application through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Before you can do this, you will need a copy of your Form I-797C. You should have received a copy in the mail after the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services received your application. There is information in this form you need to check the status of your green card application.
What Is a Form I-797C?
Form I-797C is a notice from the USCIS that they’ve received your application. On this form will be a 13-character number you’ll need to check the status of your Green Card. The I-797C form looks like this:
What Is a Receipt Number?
The 13-character number, also called a receipt number, is a tracking number for your application in the USCIS system. Whenever you enter your receipt number on the USCIS website, do not write any dashes (“-”). Include all other characters, including asterisks (“*”).
What are the ways to check my green card status?
There are several ways to check the status of a green card. Following is the exhaustive list of all the ways:
- Online
- By phone
- In-person
- By post
- By email
How Do I Check My Green Card Status on the Web?
To use your receipt number to check your green card status, go to the Case Status Online page. Enter the number into the box and click the Check Status button. Unfortunately, there is no way to check your status via email!
Can I Check My Case Status by Phone?
Yes. You can check your case status by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. You will need your receipt number when you call in. This is useful if you do not have access to a computer to check your green card status.
Within the States, one would require the following information while calling the USCIS Contact Center:
- 13-digit Receipt Number
- A-Number
- Name of Beneficiary
- Date of birth of the Beneficiary
Outside the United States, one would be required to call the National Visa Center (NVC) at +1-603-334-0700 and would require the following details:
- NVC Case Number or 13-digit Receipt Number
- Name of Beneficiary
- Date of birth of the Beneficiary
- Name of Sponsor/ Relative
- Email ID of Applicant
Can I Check My Case Status in Person?
Yes. But first, you must call the USCIS Contact Center. If a Tier 1 representative cannot solve your problem, they will transfer you to a Tier 2 representative. They may call you directly.
If the Tier 2 representative cannot solve your problem either, they will help you schedule an in-person appointment at your closest USCIS field office.
Can I check my case status by Mail?
Yes, you can check your green card status by post. The applicant has to create a case status online account where they will be provided with a U.S. Postal Service Tracking Number. Additionally, by registering for Informed Delivery, one will be eligible to receive email and text alerts with postal services, provide specific instructions for mail carriers, and automatically track any expected package or mail.
Can I check my case status by Email?
There is no provision for inquiring about applications via email if you are in the States.
However, if you are residing abroad, you can get your green card status checked by submitting an online form to the National Visa Center (NVC), and you can receive a response via email. Basic credentials such as the name of the beneficiary, name of sponsor, birth date of the beneficiary, NVC case number, or USCIS receipt number will be required.
What are the other ways to apply if I’m Outside the United States?
If you’ve applied for a green card outside of the U.S. and you’ve already had an approved Form I-130 (for alien relatives) or Form I-140 (for alien workers), then you will need to contact the National Visa Center (NVC) to find out your green card status.
However, most green card applications start with the USCIS, so if you’re just starting the process, you can use the instructions here to track your application until they turn it over to the NVC. At that time, you’ll receive a case number from the NVC you’ll use to track your status.
If you have been waiting for a response, be sure to contact the NVC at least once a year so your application isn’t terminated! If that happens, you’ll need to start all over again and pay the fees.
How Long Will It Take to Get My Green Card?
The processing time for a green card application varies depending on the category under which you filed for your green card and the USCIS office with jurisdiction over your location. Some offices are busier than others. You can check the average processing time a particular USCIS office takes to process a Form I-485 online.
You will need to know which office is handling your case and the date the USCIS received your case from your Form I-797C. If your case has been delayed beyond the estimate, go to this USCIS page and select “Case outside normal processing time.”
How Do I Update My Address with the USCIS?
If you move, you’ll need to update your address with the USCIS so you don’t miss any important updates regarding your green card status. The USCIS recommends you update your address within ten days of moving.
This is crucial because if you get approved, the USCIS will mail your green card to the address on file for you! If you haven’t updated it since you first talked with immigration officials, you could lose your card in the mail!
There are three ways to update your address with the USCIS:
USCIS Online Account
If you filed I-485 online, you should have a username and password for a USCIS online account. Simply log in and change your address.
USCIS Online Change of Address Form
If you don’t have a USCIS account, you can still file Form AR-11 online for an Alien’s Change of Address Card. It’s a simple process that takes about five minutes. Be sure to have your green card receipt number handy!
Mailing Form AR-11
Finally, you can fill out Form AR-11 and mail it to the USCIS. In certain cases, such as crime victims, you may be required to mail in a physical copy instead of using the online options.
How do you get an automatic update on your green card status?
The applicant has to sign into the USCIS online account and agree to the Terms and Conditions to receive automatic updates.
For a one-time update, the applicant must submit Form G-1145, which is officially referred to as the E-notification of Application/ Petition Acceptance, to be allowed to receive an email and or text alert for notifications regarding a green card.
Can I Travel While Waiting for a Green Card?
If you want to travel while you wait, simply complete the Application for Travel Document Form I-131. After mailing it in, wait for confirmation from USCIS that you’re allowed to travel. Leaving the United States without approval may be considered as abandoning your Green Card application.
You can still take a business trip, dream vacation, or visit family back home, even if you’re waiting for a green card. USCIS permits green card applicants to travel abroad while you wait for your green card to arrive, provided you have received approval for your I-131.
Can You Stay in the U.S. While Waiting for a Green Card?
Even if you were already in the United States when you applied for your Green Card, you are permitted to stay in the U.S. while you wait for your Green Card application to be processed.
You will not have to leave during the approval process if you present yourself to an agent at the border rather than applying before your arrival. Be sure to keep your address updated with USCIS so you can receive all notices and, hopefully, your green card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I directly contact USCIS to get updates on my green card?
To receive updates on the status of the green card, one can contact the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY: 800-767-1833).
How long does it take to receive a green card after approval?
It might take 90 days from the date of entry in the U.S to receive the green card if the applicant has entered the U.S. using an immigrant visa and paid the visa fee before entering.
It might take 90 days from the date of payment of the visa fee to receive the green card if the applicant has entered the U.S. using an immigrant visa and paid the visa fee after entering.
What is my status while waiting for a green card?
If the applicant has submitted the application under Form I-485 and is waiting for approval, then such period is considered as the period of ‘authorized stay’ after the expiry of the previous visa status. In this case, the applicant does not get any legal status; however, is permitted to stay until the application gets denied.
What should I do if my green card does not arrive?
If the applicant does not receive the green card, they must file Form I-90, the Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, to request a replacement and pay any fee if required.
