Guide to Checking Your Green Card Application Status: Online, Mail, Email, and Phone

Want to know where your green card application stands? We have compiled a detailed collection of查询 methods. Whether you prefer online, mail, or phone, you will find the information you need here to track your application progress at any time and wait with peace of mind. #GreenCard #Immigration

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There are multiple channels available for checking your green card application status: online, by mail, email, phone, and others. The method you choose depends on whether you are adjusting status within the United States using Form I-485 or undergoing consular processing abroad using Form DS-260. In addition, before submitting either of these forms, you can also track your application progress (the green card application process involves multiple steps and different forms, not limited to I-485 and DS-260).

In this guide, you will also learn how to sign up for U.S. government electronic updates and how to inquire about a delayed green card application.

Important note: Every green card application begins with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). However, if you are applying from outside the United States, once your Form I-130 (officially titled "Petition for Alien Relative") or Form I-140 (officially titled "Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker") is approved by USCIS, the National Visa Center (NVC) will take over processing your application. If you wish to check the status of your I-130 or I-140, follow the steps below for applications within the United States until your application is transferred to the NVC.

How to Check Your Green Card Status Online

Online inquiry is the simplest way to track your green card application status and is the preferred method recommended by USCIS. Where you check depends on whether you are applying within or outside the United States.

USCIS sometimes refers to the "Receipt Number" as the "Green Card Number." This often confuses applicants because, after applying for a green card, you will also receive a "USCIS Number" (also called the "Alien Registration Number" or "A-Number," A#). Even more confusingly, for applicants applying for a green card from outside the United States, when your USCIS Form I-130 or I-140 is processed and your case moves to the NVC stage, you will also receive an NVC Case Number (Immigrant Visa Case Number).

Applying within the United States:

• Locate your "Receipt Number."

• Visit the USCIS "Case Status Online" page.

• Enter your receipt number.

• Click "Check Status."

Applying outside the United States:

• Locate your "Immigrant Visa Case Number."

• Visit the NVC's "Consular Electronic Application Center" (CEAC).

• Click "Check My Visa Application Status."

• In the first field, select "Immigrant Visa (IV)" as the "Visa Application Type."

• In the next field, enter your "Immigrant Visa Case Number."

• A computer-generated captcha will appear in the last field. Enter the captcha you see. (This is used to verify you are human and not a robot.)

• Click "Submit."

Where Can I Find My Tracking Number?

• Receipt numbers: For each form you submit to USCIS, you will receive a unique code called a "Receipt Number," also known as a green card number, consisting of 3 letters and 10 numbers, such as ABC1234567891. Look for it in the notice letter you receive when USCIS accepts your Form I-485 (Form I-797C, officially called "Notice of Action"). When entering the receipt number, omit dashes/hyphens (-) and spaces, but include other characters such as asterisks (*) if they are part of your receipt number.

• Case numbers: Similar to the USCIS receipt number, the "Case Number" also contains 3 letters followed by 10 numbers (e.g., XYZ1234567891), but it is issued by the NVC. You can find your case number in the notice letter or email you receive from the NVC. Typically, you will receive this notice after USCIS accepts your Form I-130 and transfers your information to the NVC.

• Important note: If you live outside the United States, you need to contact the NVC at least once a year to avoid your green card application being "terminated." If this happens, you will need to restart the application and pay the government application fees again.

How to Check Your Green Card Status by Mail

Applying within or outside the United States:

To track your green card status by mail, you must first register for an online case status account, which will provide you with case updates and a United States Postal Service (USPS) tracking number. Additionally, you can sign up for USPS "Informed Delivery," which will allow you to:

• Set up email and text message alerts

• Provide specific instructions to your USPS mail carrier

• Automatically track any packages or mail you expect to receive (including your green card)

Please ensure you provide a reliable mailing address and check your physical mailbox regularly. The U.S. government will automatically mail all official notices to the address you provided in the following forms:

• Form I-130 or Form I-140

• Form I-485, if you are applying within the United States

• Form DS-261 (officially called "Online Address and Agent Choice"), if you are applying outside the United States (this is the form where you enter the name and contact information of the "agent" who will submit your application to the NVC on your behalf)

Have you changed your address after applying for a green card?

If you have moved to a new address, be sure to update the government information within 10 days so you do not miss any important updates about your green card application:

• If you are applying within the United States: Update your address online through USCIS, or refer to USCIS guidelines to submit an address change by mail.

• If you are applying outside the United States: Send information to the NVC to inform them of your new address, or call 1-603-334-0700 (expect a wait of more than 30 minutes).

What if USPS shows my green card was delivered but I did not receive it?

USCIS mails your green card to the address you provided in your application, so if USPS tracking information shows it was delivered but you did not receive it, contact your local post office immediately.

How to Check Your Green Card Status by Email

The steps listed in the table below are only for quick status updates. To learn how to receive more regular updates—including your full application history and next steps—please see the "How to Get Electronic Updates" section below.

Applying within the United States: You cannot check your application by email.

Applying outside the United States: You can use this online form to submit questions about your application status to the NVC, and they will reply to you by email.

Information you will need:

• NVC case number or USCIS receipt number

• Your name

• The name of the relative or employer sponsoring you

• Your date of birth

How to Check Your Green Card Status in Person

Applying from outside the United States: You cannot check your application in person. In-person appointments outside the United States are limited to certain types of services. Therefore, you may not be able to schedule an appointment at a specific location to check your green card application status, but when you reach the select-country page, "Important Office Information" will display relevant information.

Applying within the United States:

In 2019, USCIS began phasing out the "InfoPass" online appointment system for selected offices, and since 2022, InfoPass is no longer used to schedule in-person services within the United States. Instead, you can check case status online and track processing times by office.

Today, in-person services at domestic USCIS offices are only available to applicants who cannot obtain the services they need by phone or email. If online tools cannot provide the information you need, you can call the USCIS Contact Center and request an appointment. Note that USCIS evaluates in-person appointments on a case-by-case basis, such as for emergency travel documents or when an applicant needs proof of immigration status for work or travel.

How to check your green card status in person:

• Call the USCIS Contact Center: 1-800-375-5283 (if you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, call TTY 1-800-767-1833)

• Select the option to speak with a "Tier 1" representative

• If the Tier 1 representative cannot assist you, you will be transferred to a callback service to wait in line to speak with a "Tier 2" representative

• If the Tier 2 representative cannot assist you, they will help you schedule an in-person appointment at the nearest USCIS office

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How to Check Your Green Card Status by Phone

Applying within the United States:

Call the USCIS Contact Center: 1-800-375-5283. If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech disability, call TTY 1-800-767-1833.

Information you will need:

• Your USCIS receipt number

• Your A-Number or "Alien Registration Number" (if you have one)

• Your name

• Your date of birth

Applying outside the United States:

Call the NVC: +1-603-334-0700. Please check the NVC website for the agency's latest working hours. Due to high call volume, be prepared to wait at least 30 minutes.

Information you will need:

• NVC case number or USCIS receipt number

• Your name

• The name of the relative or employer sponsoring you

• Your date of birth

• Your email address

How to Get Electronic Updates

When you apply for a green card, the U.S. government will automatically notify you by mail after accepting your forms. You can also request to receive receipt notices by email and/or text message (if available).

Applying within the United States:

To get a one-time update when USCIS accepts your forms: submit Form G-1145 (officially titled "E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance") to USCIS. This will allow you to receive email and/or text message alerts.

To receive ongoing updates and access your application history and next steps: create a USCIS online account, accept the "Terms and Conditions," and select your preferred contact method: email, text message, or both.

In addition to receiving automatic updates, you can access your account dashboard at any time to view your entire application history and current green card status.

Applying outside the United States:

To receive ongoing updates on NVC actions: complete Form DS-261 online to designate an "agent" who will receive automatic updates (including postal mail and email) and can inquire about your application with the NVC. Your agent can be any of the following:

• Yourself

• The relative or employer sponsoring you

• Another relative

• A friend

• Your lawyer

• An immigration professional

• Someone else you trust

Make sure to choose an agent with reliable contact information (including mailing address, email address, and phone number).

To get your application history and next steps: Log in to CEAC. You will be prompted to enter a code (to verify you are human) and your application information.

• NVC case number

• The Invoice ID from the bill the NVC sent you. (Some people do not receive an Invoice ID and are instead prompted to enter the date of birth of the person applying for the green card.)

How to Inquire About a Delayed Green Card Application

The U.S. government provides wait time estimates for those applying within the United States and a visa bulletin for those applying from outside the United States. If the processing time for your Form I-485 at the USCIS office exceeds expectations, or if you have not received any notice from the NVC for more than 2 months since the last update, you can take action:

Applying within the United States:

• Visit this USCIS webpage.

• Select "Case Outside Normal Processing Time."

• Complete the form under "Case Information."

• Check the box indicating whether you or your spouse (if any) is a current or former member of the military (if applicable).

• Click "Submit."

Information needed from you or the relative or employer sponsoring you:

• Form number and type (family or employment)

• USCIS receipt number

• Form submission date (the date USCIS accepted your form)

• Name

• Date of birth

• A-Number (if any)

• Mailing address

• Description of the information from the last U.S. government update

• Email address (if you want confirmation of this request)

Applying outside the United States:

• Confirm that you have paid all fees and submitted all financial and civil documents required by the NVC. (If you are missing any required items, the NVC will stop processing your application.)

• If you need to submit any missing items, follow these instructions carefully.

• If you submitted all required documents, forms, and fees in your original application and have not received any progress updates, contact the NVC through the following two methods: by phone (see above); online inquiry (see above).