Touches

What is a touch?

Any time your application is handled by someone at a Service Center, the barcode is scanned, which results in an update to the "last date" for your case on the USCIS website. When the date changes, this mean that someone has physically handled or "touched" your case. There are many reasons your application may be "touched" - from simply being moved from one desk to another, to RFE's, to being approved.

There are 2 kinds of touches. There are the ones that show some kind of update, there are the ones that don't bring a new message. By logging into the account, take a look at the date that shows next to your case number. If it's changed, you've been touched.

By clicking on the case number, you get to check whether it was an update touch or not. The ones that don't show updates are connected with some kind of work done with regard to your case - it merely shows that they've taken a look at it somehow.

What? Case number? Account?

How do I get to check it out?

First thing is, get your receipt number (or case number). You can find it online on the back of the check you used to pay for the filing of the application when it's been cashed. If you can't do that, wait for the NOA1 in the mail. It'll be there.

There are 3 ways to check for updates.

• By searching online: Check Case Status Online - you'll just need the receipt number.
• By logging into your account. To register on the USCIS site: Register your case number to view status
• By e-mail (once you have registered and clicked on the "E-mail on" button).

Options 1 and 3 are good if you only wish to check for status update. Option number 2 shows the mysterious touches (somebody worked on your case but we can't be sure what has been done).

Option 2 in detail:

Log in to your account:

It will show a table:

Receipt Number | E-mail | Last Updated | (mm/dd/yyyy) | Form # | Form Title

Take a look at the date in the "last updated" box. Then go to "Receipt Number" and check the message. Is it different from the last update you got?

• Yes: :) Great! You got an update that changes the status of your case.
• No: :( Aw. They haven't worked on your case

Please note that the date on the update notices don't change. For example, if you got a message saying your petition was approved on JUNE 20, 2006, that date will never change. The ones that might change are the ones you get to see on the chart, under the "Last Updated" field, after you log in to your account, this is referred to as a 'touch'.

Do I really need to check the mysterious touches?

Not at all. Only obsessive people like me, for example, will do it. I find it comforting to know that someone's been working on my case :)

Also, you only get to check the status before your petition is fowarded to the NVC, the National Visa Center does not have online case status.