How to Track Your Green Card Status: A Complete Guide

A Green card, which is also known as the Permanent resident card. It grants you the right to live or work in the USA permanently. If you have applied for one, then you might be wondering how to check the status of your Green card application in the USA.

In this blog, we will provide you with the steps on how to track Green card status through different methods, such as online, by mail, by phone, by email, or in person.

Quick Link: Track green card status

What are the Different Ways to Check Green Card Status?

Here are the methods mentioned below for tracking the green card application status.

1. Online Method
2. Through Mail
3. Through e-mail
4. In person
5. By Phone

If you applied within the U.S. using Form I-485, check your status through USCIS. Applicants who filed Form DS-260 outside the U.S. should use the CEAC portal.

How to Check Green Card Status Online?

Here are the steps to check green card status for those outside the USA or within the USA, as mentioned below.

In the USA

Here are the steps for the Green card tracker with the USA:

1. You need to find the receipt number.
2. Go to the USCIS website.
3. Click on the case status online tracker option.
4. Enter our receipt number.
5. Click on the Current Case Status to see your real-time status for the green card application.

Outside the USA

Here are the steps mentioned to check the green card application from outside the USA.

1. You need to find your immigrant visa number.
2. Go to the NVC's "Consular Electronic Application Center" (CEAC).
3. Click on the "Check my visa application status".
4.  Fill the first field by selecting the 'Immigrant Visa' as the visa application type.
5. Enter your Immigrant visa case number.
6.  Enter a computer-generated code that you will get for verification of a human, not a robot.
7. Then click on the submit button.

Where Can You Find Green Card Tracking Numbers?

You can find your green card tracker number on your receipt numbers and case numbers.

Receipt Numbers: For a very unique form submitted to the USCIS, you will get a code, which is called a receipt number. It is also known as the green card number, which includes 3 letters and 10 numbers following MKB1234567891.

You can find your receipt number on the notification letter, Form I-797-C, which is legally called the notice of Action, that you will get upon approval of your Form I-485 by the USCIS.

Case Numbers: Same as the receipt numbers, case numbers also include 3 letters with 10 numerical digits, such as MKC1234567891. However, these numbers are granted by the NVC. You can find this number on the email you received from the NVC or on your notification letter.

Upon the approval of your Form I-130 by the USCIS, you will get a notification, and the information will be forwarded to the NVC.

Note: If you reside outside the United States, then you need to contact the NVC at least once per year to avoid getting your green card application cancelled. If you failed to contact the NVC, then you need to restart your green card application from starting and pay the fees again.

Green Card Processing Times by Category

Here is the table given below, which shows the correct timeline for the green card application with its correct processing time.

How to Check Green Card Status by Mail?

You can track your green card status through the mail within the United States or outside the United States.

For the green card tracker by mail, first, you need to register a case status online account, which will provide you with all the updates along with your tracking number from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

Additionally, you can also register for the informed delivery that provides you:

• Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery to receive email notifications and track incoming mail.
• Get all the instructions for the USPS mail carrier.

To check the green card status by mail, make sure you have provided the correct mailing address. The Government of the USA will automatically send all the official notifications to your registered mail address, which you have provided in:

• Form I-130 or Form I-140
• Form I-485, if you have applied in the United States of America.
• Form DS-261, which is also called the "Online Choice of Address and Agent." This form is used when you have applied for a green card application from outside the United States.

What if Your Address Changes After Filing?

If your address has changed or you have moved into a new house after filing out the green card application, then you need to change the address within 10 days.

1. If you have applied for the Green card application from the United States, then for the address update, you need to go to the USCIS or send an mail for address change.
2. If you have applied for the Green card from outside the United States, then you need to message NVC about your new address by mail or by calling 603-334-0700.

How to Check the Green Card Status by Phone?

Outside USA

You can see the Green card tracker status by calling the NVC at 1603-334-0700. If you are applying from outside the USA.

Here is the information that you need to provide to check the status:

• Your USCIS number, NVC case number
• Full name
• Sponsoring relative or employer name.
• Date of birth
• Email address

In the USA

For applying within the US, you can check your status by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 1800-375-5283. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech impairment, then call the TTY 1800-767-1833.

Here are the documents given below that you need to provide to see the green card status by phone.

• USCIS Receipt number.
• A-number or Alien Registration number.
• Full name.
• Date of Birth.

How to Track Green Card Status by Email?

There is no option to check the green card status in the USA via email. However, a green card tracker can be tracked through email if you have applied from outside the USA.

Here is the following information that you need to provide:

• USCIS receipt number or NVC case numbers.
• Full name
• Name of the sponsorship employer, or relative.
• Date of birth.

Can you Check Green Card Status in Person?

If you are applying within the USA, then you cannot check your in-person green card status. As of 2019, USCIS started phasing out the online scheduling system, which is known as "InfoPass." As of now, the appointments for the in-person Green card are completely stopped. However, apart from this, you can check your case status online or to track the green card processing time through the field office.

Applying outside the united states are only limited to certain types of services. So, you might not get an appointment for the scheduling appointment or checking the status of your green card at the specific location. However, the information you can see under the "Important Office Information" by selecting the country.

You can track the green card status in person by 2 different methods:

• Calling USCIS: You can check the green card status by dialling the USCIS contact centre at 1800-375-5283. If you are a deaf person or have a speech impairment, then you can call the TTY at 1800-767-1833.
• Talk with Representative: You can also talk with the "Tier 1" representative.

In-person services for the applicants at the USCIS offices are now reserved and only provided to the applicants who cannot access the services via mobile or email. If the information that you are looking for is not found, then you can call the USCIS contact centre and request an appointment.

For urgent in-person appointments, USCIS handles each case, such as travel documents and emergencies.

How to Receive USCIS Electronic Updates?

You will get all the updates in your registered email or mail address after approval.

One-Time Update for the USCIS Form Approval in the USA

If you have applied for the green card application in the USA, then submit the Form G-1145, which is officially known as the "e-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance) to the USCIS.

This form will help you get all the alerts, updates, and notifications related to your green card application.

For Continuous Updates and Access to your Application

To get all the updates and notifications continuously, you need to follow the steps given below:

1. Create a USCIS Online Account.
2. Accept Terms and Conditions.
3. Select your preferred contact method from Email, text, or both.

To get all the automatic updates, you need to go to the dashboard and see the application history and status of your green card in real-time.

For Getting Continuous Updates from the NVC From Outside the USA

To get continuous updates about your green card application outside the US. You need to fill out the Form DS-261 online, where an agent will provide you with all the automatic updates through either postal mail or email. You can also inquire about the application at the NVC.

Your may appoint:

• Yourself
• Any sponsoring employer or relative
• Any relative
• A friend
• Attorney
• A trustworthy person
• An immigration professional

What to Do if Your Green Card Application is Delayed?

The US government provides a detailed timeline for the green card application. The wait time estimates provide processing time for applications within the US, and the Visa bulletin for those who apply outside the US.

Here's what you can do if your Form I-485 is delayed beyond the normal processing time at the USCIS or field office, or if you haven't heard from the NVC for more than 2 months:

Applying in the USA

1. Visit the USCIS website.
2. Choose the "Case Outside Normal Processing Time".
3. Enter the Form below "Case Information".
4. If you are representing yourself or your spouse, or a current member or former member of the military, then check the box.
5. Click on the submit button.

Here is the required information that you need to provide in your form for a sponsoring relative or employer.

• Form number and type, such as employment of family.
• USCIS Receipt number
• The date when you filed your form, along with the date of acceptance.
• Full name
• Date of Birth
• A-Number
• Mailing Address
• Last update description that you received from the US government.
• Email address.

Applying from Outside the USA

• If you have applied from outside the United States, then you need to ensure that you have paid all the fees and provided all the documents, such as financial and civil documents. If you failed to provide all the documents, then your application process will stop.
• If you have submitted all the documents, but have not received any updates within two days, then contact the NVC through the following methods given below:
  • Through Mobile Number
  • Through Online Inquiry

Final Thoughts

A Green card is an essential document through which an individual can permanently stay or live in the USA. If you have filed a green card application form within united states or outside of the US, then you need to track the status of your application regularly. You can check the status of your green card application in different ways.

Additionally, you can also take assistance from the Visament, where our experts will provide you with a simplified application process, handling all the documents and providing you with real-time updates.