Clear guidesfor your case.
Understand each step. Act on time.
Simple explanations of USCIS, immigration court and FOIA, written to help you stay informed and act on time.
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- In Spanish and English
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What the data says
Public figures from USCIS and the immigration courts, so you can see the full picture of your process.
- I-485 cases waiting
- 1.33MUSCIS
- of I-485 applications approved
- 89.8%USCIS
- months (median) to decide an I-485
- 9.5USCIS
- cases pending in immigration court
- 3.6MEOIR
| Basis | Approval |
|---|---|
| Family | 86.9% |
| Employment | 92.4% |
| Cuban adjustment | 95.2% |
| Refugee and asylum | 96.2% |
Source: public USCIS and EOIR data.
Understand every step of your process
Written in plain language, in Spanish and English, and updated whenever USCIS or the court changes something.
What every USCIS case status means
Every USCIS case status explained in plain language, grouped by stage. What each one means, whether you need to act, and what usually comes next.Read the guide12 min readAdjustment of status (I-485): the path to a Green Card without leaving the U.S.
What adjustment of status is, who can apply, what goes in the Form I-485 packet, how the case moves status by status and what to watch while you wait for your residence.Read articleUSCIS5 min readAdjustment of status or consular processing: which one applies to you
The two ways to get permanent residence after an approved petition, how they differ, how each process works step by step, and what to review before choosing.Read articleCourt5 min readAffirmative and defensive asylum: how they differ
The difference between applying for asylum with USCIS (affirmative) and in immigration court (defensive), how each process works, what happens when USCIS sends the case to court and how to track each.Read articleCourt4 min readMaster vs. individual hearing: what happens at each and how to prepare
The difference between the master calendar hearing and the individual hearing in immigration court, what happens at each, what to bring and what happens if you do not show up.Read articleUSCIS5 min readThe Visa Bulletin: how to know whether your priority date is current
What the Visa Bulletin is, what a priority date is, how to read the final action and dates for filing charts, and what happens when dates retrogress.Read articleCourt4 min readMy hearing date changed: how to verify it and what to do
Why immigration court changes or moves up hearing dates, how to confirm the right date, what to do if you cannot attend, and what happens if you already missed it.Read articleUSCIS5 min readCase Was Received: what happens next and how long it takes
What "Case Was Received" means on your USCIS case, what to check on the receipt notice, what usually follows for each form, and when a long wait is normal.Read articleUSCIS4 min readThe biometrics appointment: what to bring, how to reschedule and what comes next
What happens at the USCIS biometrics appointment, when the notice arrives, what to bring to the ASC, how to reschedule without hurting your case and which status follows the fingerprints.Read articleUSCIS4 min readHow to check your USCIS case and read the receipt number
Where to find your 13-character receipt number, what its letters mean, the three ways to check your case status and what to do when the system cannot find it.Read articleCourt4 min readHow to check your immigration court (EOIR) case
What you need to check your immigration court case, what EOIR's system shows, why your case sometimes does not appear, and what to do when you move.Read articleUSCIS5 min readThe citizenship interview (N-400): what to bring, what they ask and what comes next
What the naturalization interview is like, which documents to bring, how the English and civics tests work, the three possible results and the path to the oath ceremony.Read articleUSCIS6 min readAsylum (I-589) statuses: interview, pending, decision and closure
What each USCIS status on Form I-589 means, why "Next Step Is an Interview" and "Application Is Pending" alternate for years, and how the 180-day clock shows up in the text.Read articleFOIA5 min readWhich agency to ask for your immigration file: USCIS, EOIR, CBP or ICE
Each agency keeps a different part of your immigration history. What USCIS, EOIR, CBP, ICE and the Department of State hold, how to request it from each one and how to track the request.Read articleUSCIS5 min readThe work permit (I-765): categories, timing and statuses
Who can apply for a work permit with Form I-765, the most common categories, how long it usually takes, which statuses you will see and when to renew.Read articleUSCIS5 min readFamily petition (I-130): who can petition for whom and what comes next
What Form I-130 is, which relatives a citizen or a permanent resident can petition for, the difference between immediate relatives and preference categories, and what follows the approval.Read articleUSCIS4 min readUSCIS Is Currently Processing the Case: is anything wrong?
What "USCIS Is currently Processing the Case", "Case Is Still Being Processed" and "Actively Reviewed" mean, what usually follows for each form, and when to act.Read articleCourt5 min readThe asylum clock: the 150 and 180 days, and what stops it
How the asylum clock for the work permit works, what the 150 and 180 days mean, what stops and restarts it, and how to check it at USCIS and in court.Read articleUSCIS4 min readIntent to Revoke and Revocation Notice on your work permit
What "Intent to Revoke Notice Was Issued", "Revocation Notice Was Issued" and "I-765 Automatically Revoked" mean, where the letter is, what deadline is running and what the status does not say.Read articleUSCIS5 min readRequest for Evidence (RFE): what it means and how to answer on time
What a USCIS request for evidence is, how it differs from a NOID, when it tends to arrive, where the deadline lives and what happens after you respond.Read articleFOIA4 min readA FOIA request to USCIS: how to get your file and track it
What a FOIA request is, what your USCIS file contains, how to file online or with Form G-639, how long each track takes and how to follow your control number.Read articleUSCIS4 min readCard Was Produced, Mailed, Delivered: following your card to the mailbox
What the card production and mailing statuses on your USCIS case mean, how long each step takes, how to track the envelope with USPS and what to do if it says delivered but never came.Read articleCourt4 min readHow to read your immigration judge's approval rate
What an immigration judge's asylum approval rate measures, where the data comes from, why it does not predict your case and how to use it to prepare better.Read articleUSCIS5 min readHow long USCIS takes and what to do when your case runs late
How to read USCIS's official processing times, what the case inquiry date is, how to file an e-Request or ask for expedited processing, and the other options when a case is past its time.Read articleUSCIS2 min readFind Your Alien Number (A-Number)
Learn where to find your A-Number on Form I-797C, your EAD card, immigrant visa, Green Card and other official immigration documents.Read articleUSCIS1 min readFind Your USCIS Office
Follow two simple steps to locate the USCIS office processing your case using your Form I-797C (Notice of Action).Read articleRather see your case right now?
Check the status of your case, your court or your FOIA request for free.
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Common questions about your case
Short answers about USCIS, immigration court (EOIR) and FOIA.
How do I check my USCIS case status?
You need your receipt number: 13 characters, three letters and ten digits (for example IOE, MSC, EAC or WAC followed by numbers), printed at the top of your Form I-797C, Notice of Action. With it you can see your official case status for free on MigraConnect, no account needed, along with the processing times for your case type.
Read the full guideWhat does my case status mean, for example "Case Was Received"?
USCIS describes every stage with a fixed phrase. "Case Was Received" means your application arrived and has a receipt number; "Case Is Being Actively Reviewed" means an officer is working on it; "Request for Evidence Was Sent" means USCIS asked for more documents and a deadline to answer is running; "New Card Is Being Produced" means your case was approved and the card is on its way. MigraConnect shows the full official text of each status and, with AI, the steps that most often come next.
Read the full guideHow long does USCIS take to process my case?
It depends on the form and on the office processing it: the same application can take months longer at one office than another. USCIS publishes official times for 80% of cases; MigraConnect shows that figure and also the time for the remaining 20%, so you know how long your case could take at the slow end and when you can file an e-Request if it runs past the posted time.
Read the full guideHow do I check my immigration court (EOIR) case?
With your A-Number (alien registration number, 8 or 9 digits, usually starting with the letter A). You can call EOIR's automated system at 1-800-898-7180 or check for free on MigraConnect, where you see your next hearing with its date, time, location and format (in person or online), your judge's name and the status of your asylum clock.
Read the full guideWhat is the difference between a master hearing and an individual hearing?
A master calendar hearing is a short, crowded session where the judge reviews the charges and your applications and sets dates. An individual (merits) hearing is your trial: the judge hears your full case, with testimony and evidence, and decides. Missing either can lead to the judge deciding your case without you (an in absentia order), which is why hearing about every date change on time matters.
Read the full guideWhat is the asylum clock and why does it matter?
It counts the days since you filed your asylum application. At 150 days you can apply for a work permit (Form I-765), and at 180 days USCIS can approve it. The clock stops when a delay in your case is attributed to you, for example when you ask for more time, and runs again afterwards. MigraConnect shows your days and whether the clock is running or stopped, and with MigraConnect+ it alerts you when it stops, starts or reaches 150 and 180 days.
Read the full guideHow do I find out on time if my case or my court date changes?
USCIS and court notices arrive by mail and can lag, and hearing dates are sometimes moved up. The safest habit is to check your case often or get alerts: MigraConnect+ notifies your phone when your USCIS case status changes, when your hearing's date, location or format changes, when a judge is assigned or changed, and when there is news on motions and appeals. They are the fastest USCIS alerts and the only ones for immigration court and FOIA.
Read the full guideWhat is a FOIA request and how do I track it?
A FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request lets you ask for a copy of your immigration file, for example from USCIS with Form G-639. It helps you learn your history, find your A-Number or prepare a case. When you file it you get a control number to follow its progress: on MigraConnect you can check it for free and, with MigraConnect+, get an alert on every change.
Read the full guide