USCIS is the agency that receives and decides immigration applications and petitions. Almost every case follows the same shape: you file a form, receive a receipt notice (Form I-797C) with a case number, complete biometrics, respond to any request for documents, and get a decision. Case status is checked online by receipt number; the blank forms are free, and a filing fee is charged when a form is submitted — the amount depends on the form and category.
Status as of July 11, 2026. USCIS fees and timelines change: fee amounts are set by the G-1055 fee schedule, which was updated several times in 2026 and now includes additional mandatory fees under the HR-1 law for certain categories. The exact amount for a given form is on the G-1055 fee schedule or the fee calculator at uscis.gov, and current timelines are in the processing-times tool there.
How to check your case status
Case status is checked online at egov.uscis.gov by receipt number — 13 characters: three letters and ten digits (for example, starting with IOE for online filing). The number is printed on the receipt notice (Form I-797C, Notice of Action), which USCIS mails usually within a few weeks of filing. A name, date of birth, or A-Number will not work in this tool — the receipt number is required. A USCIS online account adds email or SMS alerts on changes and a case history. Status updates only at key milestones (receipt, biometrics, a request, a decision), so it may not change for a long time — that is normal.
Different tasks use different forms. A petition for a relative is filed on Form I-130; the green-card application inside the U.S. (adjustment of status) is Form I-485; the work permit is Form I-765; a travel document and Advance Parole is Form I-131; naturalization is Form N-400; renewing or replacing a green card is Form I-90. On the employment side, an employer's petitions are Form I-129 (nonimmigrant) and Form I-140 (immigrant). For green cards and family petitions, see green card; for citizenship, see citizenship. Blank forms are all free at uscis.gov.
Fees and how to pay them
The blank form is free; a filing fee is charged when a completed form is submitted, and the amount depends on the form and category. Amounts are set by the USCIS G-1055 fee schedule; for most forms, filing online carries a $50 discount compared with paper. For certain categories (asylum, TPS, parole, and others), the HR-1 law added mandatory fees that cannot be reduced or waived. The exact amount for a given form is on the G-1055 fee schedule or the fee calculator at uscis.gov. Payment goes through a USCIS account and Pay.gov; for some forms, premium processing is available on a separate Form I-907 for an added fee.
RFE, NOID, and other requests
When documents are missing for a decision, USCIS sends a Request for Evidence (RFE). This is not a denial: the case continues if the response is complete and on time. The deadline is stated on the notice itself (often up to about 87 days); the response should address every listed item in one package, and missing the deadline usually leads to a denial for non-response. Separately, there is a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): USCIS is leaning toward denial but gives a chance to respond. There are also requests for additional information (RFI) and for an original document (RFO). Notices are mailed to the address on file, so the address is kept current (Form AR-11).
"Case transferred," biometrics, and other notices
Various notices arrive during a case. "Case was transferred" means it moved to another USCIS office; the processing-time clock restarts under the receiving office's range, and a transfer usually adds time but is not itself a bad sign. A biometrics notice sets an appointment at an ASC for fingerprints and a photo — the date, time, and location come by mail (Form I-797C). After a decision, the status moves through card production and mailing (for a green card, "New Card Is Being Produced," then "Card Was Mailed").
Processing times and a stuck case
Average times for each form and office are shown by the processing-times tool at egov.uscis.gov. If a case is already past the published range, a case inquiry is submitted through the USCIS account; a response usually comes within 30 days. Other channels are the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 and the USCIS Ombudsman at DHS (a case-assistance request at dhs.gov/case-assistance), which does not overturn decisions but helps with delays. To avoid missing notices, the address is updated with USCIS within 10 days of a move (Form AR-11).
How do I check my USCIS case status?
Status is checked at egov.uscis.gov by receipt number — 13 characters: three letters and ten digits, from the Form I-797C notice. A name, date of birth, or A-Number will not work in this tool. A USCIS online account can send email or SMS alerts when the status changes.
What does a Request for Evidence (RFE) mean?
An RFE is a request for more documents, not a denial. USCIS needs additional evidence to decide; the case continues if the response is complete and submitted by the deadline on the notice (often up to about 87 days). Every listed item is answered in one package; missing the deadline usually leads to a denial for non-response.
How much are USCIS fees in 2026?
The amount depends on the form and category; the blank form is free, and a fee is charged when it is submitted. Most forms carry a $50 discount for online filing, and asylum, TPS, and parole categories have separate mandatory fees under the HR-1 law. The exact amount is on the G-1055 fee schedule or the fee calculator at uscis.gov.
What does "case was transferred" mean?
It means the case moved to another USCIS office. The processing-time clock restarts under the receiving office's range, and a transfer usually adds time. On its own, a transfer is not a bad sign.
What should I do if my case is stuck?
First compare the time against the published range for the form and office at egov.uscis.gov. If the case is past the range, a case inquiry is submitted through the USCIS account; other channels are the USCIS Contact Center (1-800-375-5283) and the USCIS Ombudsman at DHS. The address is kept current throughout (Form AR-11).
Sources we track: USCIS, DHS, EOIR, the Federal Register, and federal courts.