What Is a USCIS Receipt Number?
Quick Answer
A USCIS receipt number is a unique 13-character case tracking identifier assigned to every application or petition filed with USCIS. It consists of a 3-letter service center or facility code (such as IOE, MSC, LIN, WAC, or EAC) followed by 10 digits, and is used to track the status of your case online at egov.uscis.gov.
Key Takeaway
Save your receipt number as soon as you receive your I-797C notice—it is your primary tool for tracking your OPT application status and is needed for any inquiries or correspondence with USCIS.
What a Receipt Number Is
A USCIS receipt number, also known as a case number, is a unique identifier assigned to every application, petition, or request filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The receipt number is generated when USCIS accepts and logs an incoming filing, and it serves as the primary reference for tracking the case throughout the adjudication process.
The receipt number follows a standardized format: a 3-letter prefix code followed by 10 digits. The prefix identifies the USCIS facility or processing system that received the application. For example, IOE indicates an electronically filed application processed through the USCIS Electronic Immigration System, MSC refers to the National Benefits Center, LIN refers to the Nebraska Service Center, WAC refers to the California Service Center, and EAC refers to the Vermont Service Center.
For F-1 students who file Form I-765 for OPT, the receipt number is communicated through Form I-797C (Notice of Action), which USCIS sends to the applicant after the filing is accepted. If the application was filed online through myUSCIS, the receipt number is also displayed in the applicant's online account immediately upon submission.
Where to Find Your Receipt Number
The primary source of your receipt number is Form I-797C, the Notice of Action that USCIS mails to the address provided on your application. This notice confirms that USCIS has received your filing and provides the receipt number in the upper left corner of the document. For I-765 applications, the I-797C typically arrives within 2–4 weeks of USCIS receiving the application by mail.
If you filed online through myUSCIS, your receipt number is available in your account dashboard immediately after submission. You can also access it through confirmation emails sent by USCIS. Some applicants receive a text or email notification with the receipt number before the physical I-797C notice arrives in the mail.
If you have not received your I-797C after 30 days and you filed by mail, you should check your bank or credit card statement to confirm whether USCIS cashed or charged your filing fee. A cashed fee indicates that USCIS received your application. You can then contact the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 to inquire about your receipt number.
- Form I-797C (Notice of Action) — mailed to your address
- myUSCIS online account — available immediately for e-filed applications
- USCIS confirmation email or text notification
- Bank/credit card statement — confirms USCIS received your filing fee
Understanding Receipt Number Prefixes
The 3-letter prefix of your receipt number tells you which USCIS facility is processing your case. IOE (Immigration Online Electronic) is the prefix for cases filed electronically through myUSCIS—this has become increasingly common as USCIS shifts toward online processing. MSC is the prefix for the National Benefits Center in Lee's Summit, Missouri, which handles many family-based and employment-based applications.
LIN represents the Nebraska Service Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, which processes a significant volume of employment-based petitions and EAD applications. WAC represents the California Service Center in Laguna Niguel, California, and EAC represents the Vermont Service Center in St. Albans, Vermont. The specific service center assigned to your case depends on the type of application, the applicant's geographic location, and USCIS workload distribution.
Knowing your service center prefix can be helpful when checking processing times, as each center may have different timelines for the same form type. The USCIS processing times page allows you to look up estimated processing times by form type and service center, helping you gauge when to expect a decision on your case.
Using Your Receipt Number Effectively
Your receipt number is essential for virtually all interactions with USCIS regarding your case. Use it to check your case status online at egov.uscis.gov/casestatus, to make phone inquiries with the USCIS Contact Center, to submit e-Requests or case inquiries when your case is outside normal processing times, and to respond to any USCIS correspondence such as RFEs or NOIDs.
When calling the USCIS Contact Center, having your receipt number ready is essential, as the automated system uses it to pull up your case information. Representatives cannot locate your case without it unless you provide alternative identifying information, which may limit the assistance they can provide.
It is strongly recommended to save your receipt number in multiple secure locations—digitally (such as in a password manager or secure notes app), on paper, and shared with a trusted person. Losing your receipt number can make it difficult to track your case, though it can be recovered by contacting USCIS with your filing information or by checking your myUSCIS account if you filed online.
Your receipt number is case-specific. If you file multiple applications (such as an initial OPT I-765 and later a STEM OPT extension I-765), each filing will receive a separate receipt number.