USCIS Receipt Number Format Explained

USCIS Receipt Number Format

Each USCIS application like H1B or L visa is issued a receipt number within 1-3 days of receiving.

Year

The two digits are the fiscal year (starts on Oct 1, and ends on Sep 30) in which USCIS received the petition. 

Example: “18″ means that the petition was received between Oct 1, 2017, to Sep 30, 2018.   Note that the government fiscal year runs from October 1st until September 30th.

Working Day Number

The three digits represent the working day during the current fiscal year on which the receipt was processed and the fee was taken. 

Example: Above application was received on the 249th working day of the fiscal year starting counting from October 1st. Check yourself on the time and date calculator.

USCIS Case Number

The last five digits are unique sequential numbers (kind of counter). If you file two applications like H1B and H4 together, you might see these 5 numbers in sequence.

USCIS also uses a different receipt number generation number system that does not match with the above logic for some types of EAD and I130 applications.

We do not know the logic behind those receipt numbers. There is no need to worry and receipt numbers are perfectly legal.

i-797 Receipt Number

How long it takes to get the USCIS receipt number: 1-5 weeks. In 90% of cases, you do get a receipt within 7-10 days.

You can expect to receive an i-797C Notice of receipt with the receipt number printed on it within 1-3 weeks after USCIS received your application.

If you had attached a form G-1145 with your application, you will receive an email and SMS (text message – free of cost) with your receipt number automatically after it’s generated in the USCIS system. 

The date written on the i797C notice of receipt as “Received Date” should be used for tracking processing time.

Form i797C will still be sent by formal USPS mail either to you or your employer or attorney as mentioned on your application’s mailing address.

My case status does not recognize the receipt number Entered

Don’t worry. This error might be temporary. Try this solution for the USCIS case status error if it does not go away for your case after a day on the USCIS case status website.

USCIS Case Processing Times

You can check the processing time on the official USCIS website.

Check Case Status with Receipt Number

You need your USCIS case receipt number from the i797 notice of receipt to check the current case status online on the USCIS website.

Just enter your receipt number and you will be shown the status.

Approved Case Status

Case status ‘Approved‘ means that your application has been approved by USCIS and you can expect to receive form i797A notice of action within 1-3 weeks by USPS mail.

USCIS status ‘Name was updated’ has nothing to worry including the address being updated.

Case Status Page Login

You can even register for a free account on the USCIS website and add your receipt number for easy tracking.

You will automatically receive an email as and when there is an update on your receipt number. 

Account creation is recommended as you can track multiple cases in your account and it shows your complete case history too.

FAQ