Check USCIS case status for USCIS visa and immigration cases
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You must be aware that the U.S.Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the government agency that manages the lawful US immigration process. All US immigration related forms need to be filed with the USCIS.
Checking US immigration case status:
As part of the US immigration process, once you send the completed application package to the USCIS, you can expect to receive an Application Receipt Notice with a 13-character Application Receipt number. It normally takes around 30 days to receive the receipt number. This receipt number generally starts with EAC, WAC, LIN, or SRC. This 13 digit number is the proof that the USCIS has received your application and that it is being processed. You can use this number to check the status of your application while it is pending as you may not be sure when your case will be processed.
In such a case where you have your receipt number and would like to check the status of your case, you may visit the USCIS's official website, www.uscis.gov and select the link entitled "Case Status Online." Here enter the application receipt number. Per the US immigration rules, Dashes ("-") should be omitted when entering a receipt number. But, all other characters, including asterisks ("*"), can be included if it is listed as part of the receipt number.
On the other hand, if you do not have a receipt number, you can find out how long USCIS is taking to process certain applications by clicking on "Processing Times" which is listed on the USCIS "Case Status Online" page. Processing dates are categorized according to the type of application you filed and the location of the USCIS Service Center where your application was filed.
If you do not hear from the USCIS within thirty days of having submitted your application, you can contact them at their toll-free telephone line and talk to their customer service representatives who are available between 8 a.m and 6 p.m local time. They will provide you with the necessary guidance.
Additionally, applicants or petitioners and their representatives (such as lawyers, charitable groups, or corporations) who are in need of regular access to information about the case status about multiple cases can create an account to get this information even more conveniently. The services provided by USCIS to both account types are in fact similar except applicants' representatives may also enter their own internal office tracking number with each receipt number as they deal with multiple cases.
In addition to this option, a new program provides the option where you can receive a text message notification to your US mobile phone number when a case status update has occurred. Applicants and their representatives may avail this facility to receive the text message notification However, also make note that Standard Messaging Rates or other charges related to these notifications may apply for such text messages.
Another facility concerning the case status is, USCIS applicants and their representatives can receive automatic case status updates that will be sent through e-mail. As there are so many options, one can understand the importance of the application status check. Primarily, as the processing time for applications differ, this option proves handy to applicants.
