How to Check Your USCIS Case Status and Processing Time (2026 Guide)
By Kyle Eggleston, Founder ·
USCIS publishes processing times monthly as medians: half of cases finish faster, half slower. Here's how to check where your case stands.
- Find your receipt number. It's on your Form I-797 receipt notice, in the format starting with three letters (for example EAC, WAC, LIN, or SRC) followed by ten digits.
- Check your case status online. Enter your receipt number on the USCIS case status tool to see the current status.
- Compare it with the posted processing time. USCIS's processing-time tool shows the current median range for your specific form and category.
- Submit an inquiry if you're outside it. If your case has been pending longer than the posted time, USCIS allows you to submit a case inquiry.
View data table
| Form | Processing time |
|---|---|
| I-130 — Petition for Alien Relative (immediate relative) | 5–14 months (as of 2026) |
| I-130 — Petition for Alien Relative (family preference) | 12–25+ months (as of 2026) |
| N-400 — Application for Naturalization | Pending first data refresh |
| I-485 — Application to Register Permanent Residence | Pending first data refresh |
| I-765 — Application for Employment Authorization | Pending first data refresh |
| I-589 — Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal | Pending first data refresh |
USCIS processing-time figures are monthly-updated medians published by USCIS. Ranges shown are the most recently reported figures for 2026; forms without a confirmed reported range display "Pending first data refresh" until the next automated pull.
This article provides general information for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration law changes frequently — speak with a licensed immigration attorney about your specific situation.
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Find a Chicago immigration lawyerKyle Eggleston is the founder of ChicagoImmigrationLawyer.net; his first job in Chicago was in immigration offices, and he later worked for immigration attorneys.