hi guys
when we call customer service (USCIS call center) to ask them about a case do they see the same status on line with reciept number or they can see further information about a case

usually the same thing. sometimes members have found out they have been approve without the status online changing. for the most part, though, if you call, they will read to you what you will most likely see anyway in your online portfolio.

so how can find out what's going on with a case from uscis

Do you have an online account set up?

First off, please fill out your timeline and let us know where you are in the process, that will determine how we answer your questions here.

Have you received your NOA1? If so, you should have a case number that starts with "WAC". Use that to start an online portfolio via www.uscis.gov. (Look in the right hand side bar and click on "Yes, I have a petition pending" etc, follow through the links).

Other than that, it normally only helps to call them if you're past the average waiting time for your service center (for all but Vermont, that is about 90 days. For Vermont, 30 days). Sometimes - but only sometimes - the call center will have something else on their screen than you will on yours.

Otherwise, if you're still within the normal waiting times (which is 2.9 months - NOT what they say on the USCIS official processing times site), they will most likely just read you what is written on the screen - same as what you see.

Does that help clear it up?

Please do fill out your timeline and profile so we know what you are filing for, when you filed, and where you are in the process!


(you won't find out from calling them whose desk it is on, how many are in line in front of you, what's the hold up, etc. they can tell you the status and not much else, if you are asking about what OTHER kind of information you can get from them)

Also for those of us who called and actually got real information, we did not talk with USCIS customer service. We followed the options to the RFE screen which connects you to the Cali people and they see more info. The call center of USCIS only sees what we see online.