Sabrina Saada 
Shilpa Malik 
Waiting for your green card can be one of the most challenging parts of the process, especially if you experience additional delays due to embassy backlogs or evidence requests from USCIS. Following up on your green card status can bring some peace of mind amidst the stress of it all. In this guide, we’ll walk you through all the tools to keep track of your green card application, including online notifications, what the rules are for traveling while you wait, and more. As with any immigration case, your chances of securing an approval go up when you hire an experienced immigration attorney.
Ways to Track the Green Card Process
A green card is a commonly used term for a Permanent Resident Card. It allows the holder to work and live in the United States without restrictions.
You can track your green card status as it goes through different stages, the easiest way being online. Throughout the process, you will also receive notifications through the mail, and depending on the phase, you may be able to check over the phone.
The departments that provide updates on your green card application status include:
- USCIS
- U.S Department of Labor (NVC), and your nearest embassy/consulate. (for those applying from outside the U.S.)
The Green Card stages include:
- Stage 1: Petition for Alien Relative or Worker: both the Form I-130 and Form I-140 initiate the process for obtaining an immigrant visa and ultimately a green card.
- Stage 2: Green Card Application: Completing this stage results in the green card
- I-485 adjustment of status: (for applicants inside the U.S.)
- NVC processing (for applicants outside the U.S.)
- Stage 3: Green card shipping: once your physical green card is produced, USCIS offers tracking options to ensure it’s delivered.
Applicants within the U.S. have similar tracking methods, although some agencies may handle the end stages slightly differently. Make sure you speak to an immigration attorney for a full synopsis of what to expect in your case.
How To Track a Green Card Application from Inside the U.S.
If you are applying from within the U.S., you will need to submit Form I-485. This allows you to obtain a green card without returning to your home country for visa processing. In the official documents of your USCIS account, your green card status is called your I-485 status.
Check Status Online
The easiest way to track your green card status is online. After receiving a green card application, USCIS will send a Notice of Action or I-797C Form. This form will provide a 13-digit Receipt Number. The number consists of 3 letters and 10 numbers.
To track a green card:
- Visit the USCIS website and find the Case Status Online Page.
- Enter the Receipt Number into the search bar. Do not enter any dashes (-) but include all other characters (such as*).
- Submit to review your case status.
AskEmma
To inquire about your green card case status with Emma, the USCIS virtual assistant, visit the USCIS website and click on the “Need help, chat with Emma” button. Type “Case Status” in the chat window and provide your case number when prompted. Emma can then provide real-time updates and connect you with a live agent if needed.
Check Status by Mail
When applying for a green card, you will have to provide a mailing address on the I-485 Form. USCIS will mail all official notifications to this address during the application process, including updates on your green card status/I-485 status. With mailing times, this is not the best way to track a green card unless you have no internet access.
If you paid the immigrant visa fee after entering the U.S., USCIS has a total of 120 days from the date of payment to mail the green card. Most applicants can expect to receive it within 30 to 90 days.
Check Status by Email
Currently, USCIS does not offer an email-based tracking option for applications filed in the U.S.
Check Status in Person
In-person visits are time-consuming and for that reason not the most efficient choice unless necessary. You cannot make an in-person appointment unless you first call the USCIS Contact Center.
A Tier 1 representative will try to answer your query. They will transfer you to a Tier 2 representative if they cannot provide a suitable answer. They may call you back directly if they cannot transfer at the time. If the Tier 2 representative cannot handle your inquiry, they will help you schedule an in-person appointment at the closest USCIS Field Office.
Can I travel while waiting for a green card?
If you want to travel outside while waiting for a green card, you will need to obtain advance parole by filing Form I-131. Do not exit the U.S. until you receive approval. If you do not wait for confirmation, USCIS may take this to mean you have abandoned your green card application. With USCIS approval, you can take a vacation, business trip, or visit family abroad.”
Check Status by Phone
If you do not have access to the internet, you can perform a USCIS green card case status check by calling the USCIS Contact Center. The USCIS status tracking number is 1-800-375-5283.
You will need your:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- USCIS Receipt Number
- Alien Registration Number
Can you stay in the U.S. while waiting for a green card?
Yes, you can stay in the U.S. while your green card is being processed. This is true even if you already live in the U.S. as an immigrant. You would not need to leave for the approval process if you presented yourself to a border agent before applying for a green card. If you applied before arriving in the U.S., you must keep USCIS updated with your new address so you can receive your green card in the mail.
How to Track a Green Card Application from Outside the U.S.
Once your initial immigrant petition (Form I-130 or I-140) has been approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), your case is transferred to the Department of State’s National Visa Center (NVC).
From this point forward, the primary tool for monitoring your application’s progress through the final stages of consular processing is the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) online portal. This is where you will track your case from document submission right through to the final decision after your interview.
Step 1: Receive Your NVC Welcome Letter
The NVC will initiate contact by sending a Welcome Letter via email or physical mail. This letter is important as it contains your NVC Case Number and an Invoice ID Number, which you need to access your case online.
Step 2: Complete Form DS-261 to Appoint an Agent
Your first action in the CEAC portal is to complete Form DS-261 (Online Choice of Address and Agent). This form tells the NVC whom to contact about your case.
The NVC must process this form before you can proceed with fees and other documents.
Step 3: Check Case Status Online
Use the CEAC Visa Status Check page to see updates as your case progresses from the NVC to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for the final decision.
- Navigate to the Website: Go to the official CEAC Visa Status Check page.
- Select Visa Type: Choose “IMMIGRANT VISA (IV)” from the dropdown menu.
- Enter Your Information: Input your NVC Case Number (e.g., LND2025123456) and the verification code shown on the screen.
- Submit and Review: Click “Submit” to view your current status, such as “At NVC,” “Ready,” “Administrative Processing,” or “Issued.
Check Green Card Status By Mail
You must provide a mailing address on the I-130 form or the I-140 Form, and the DS-261 Form. USCIS will mail all official notifications to this address during the application process to keep you updated on your NVC Case Status or I-140 status.
If you paid the immigrant visa fee before entering the U.S., USCIS has a total of 120 days from the date of entry to mail the green card.
How to Change Your Address
It’s important to notify USCIS as soon as possible (within 10 days) of moving addresses after filing your green card application.
- Visit the USCIS Change of Address page.
- Click “Change of Address Online”.
- Sign in or create a USCIS Online Account.
- Complete the AR-11 form (Change of Address form) electronically.
- Update your address for each pending application or petition (like Form I-485).IMPORTANT: There’s a box to check to update the address for any pending applications. Be sure to list your green card case number (receipt number starting with MSC, LIN, SRC, etc.)
Check Status By Email
You can check your NVC Case Status or ask questions about your application to the NVC using an online Public Inquiry Form. This form is located on the U.S. Visas page.
To submit a Public Inquiry Form, you will need:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- NVC Case Number
- Sponsor of the employer’s name
- Email address
Email correspondence will be sent to the address you provide.
Check Status in Person
For applications coming from outside the U.S., there is currently no option to check in person.
Navigating the U.S. Immigration System
Working with an immigration attorney can streamline your process and keep you up-to-date on your case, so you are not constantly checking.
Start with a 20-minute consultation with one of our lawyers:
How to Set Up Electronic Updates
Once USCIS accepts your I-485 form, you can opt to receive email or text notifications by submitting Form G-1145.
For ongoing updates:
- Create a USCIS Online Account
- Accept the Terms and Conditions.
- Choose your preferred contact method (email, text, or both).
For applicants abroad, your designated agent (or yourself, if listed) will receive email and mail updates from the NVC via the DS-261 form.
How To Get A Social Security Number
When completing Form DS-260 as part of the immigrant visa process, you will be asked whether you would like to be issued a Social Security Number (SSN). It is strongly recommended to select “Yes” on this question. By doing so, you authorize the U.S. government to automatically process your SSN application using the information from your immigrant visa paperwork.
Once you arrive in the United States and are admitted as a lawful permanent resident, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will issue your SSN card and mail it to the U.S. address you provided during the DS-260 application process. You can generally expect to receive your card within 3 to 6 weeks after entry.
If you do not select “Yes” on Form DS-260, or if there is any delay or issue with your automatic SSN issuance, you will need to apply for one manually by visiting a local Social Security office in person and providing your immigration documents.
Green Card Delays: What You Should Do
If your green card application is taking longer than typical processing times, you can get in contact:
If You Applied from Inside the U.S.
Check USCIS’s estimated processing times at the Case Processing Times page. If your I-485 or I-130 is beyond the posted timeframe:
- Visit the “outside normal processing times inquiry page“
- Complete the inquiry form with:
- Receipt Number
- A-number
- Filing date
- Application type
- Email address
- Last action taken on the case
If You Applied from Outside the U.S.
If you haven’t heard anything about your application beyond NVC’s processing timeframes, open your CEAC portal to double-check that:
- All fees have been paid – visa application and affidavit of support fees must be paid.
- All documents requested were submitted –the NVC will notify you through your CEAC account if any submitted civil documents (passport, birth certificate, etc.) are incorrect, incomplete, or were not accepted. You must resolve these issues before your case can be deemed “documentarily complete.”
If you have verified all fees and documents have been completed, contact the NVC by submitting an online Public Inquiry Form.
Lastly, speak to an immigration attorney if you aren’t progressing with NVC.
How can I track my green card mailing status?
If you have a USPS account, you can track your green card in the mail with the Informed Delivery service. This can also be used for EAD tracking. This allows you to get daily images of your green card (and other packages) as it makes its way to you. Informed Delivery also allows you to set up alerts by text or email for when your green card arrives. You can also enter delivery instructions for the mail carrier if you have any.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I check the status of my green card replacement?
Visit the USCIS Case Status Online tool – have your case receipt number readily available and enter that under “check status.”
What should I do if my Green Card is lost in the mail or has an error on it?
If your green card is lost or never arrives after being mailed, you must file a Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, selecting the option that the card was issued but never received.
If the card arrives but contains an error (e.g., a misspelled name or incorrect date of birth) because of a USCIS mistake, you should also file Form I-90. In this case, you would select “My card was issued with incorrect data because of a USCIS error.” You generally will not have to pay the filing fee for a USCIS error.
How can I track my EAD?
You can use the same tool above to check the status of your EAD.
I have not received my green card after 120 days. What should I do?
If it’s been more than 120 days, you can submit a case service inquiry or call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. Have your receipt number, A-Number, and personal biographical information ready to provide. If this does not resolve your concerns, ask to speak with a Tier 2 officer.
What happens after my green card interview is approved?
If the consular or USCIS officer approves your case at the interview, you will receive a stamp in your passport, often called an “I-551 stamp” or “ADIT stamp.” This stamp serves as temporary proof of your lawful permanent resident status for up to one year. You can use this stamp to work and travel internationally while you wait for the physical green card to be produced and mailed to you, which typically takes a few weeks to a few months.