How to Track Your Adjustment of Status Application

Waiting for your adjustment of status application to process can feel overwhelming without proper tracking methods. The USCIS system offers several ways to monitor your case progress.

We at Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Thompson know that adjustment of status tracking becomes much easier when you understand all available options. This guide covers online tools, phone services, and professional assistance to keep you informed throughout your immigration journey.

How Do You Check Your Case Status Online

The USCIS Case Status Online tool provides your primary access to application progress and requires only your receipt number for real-time updates. Visit the official USCIS website and enter your 13-character receipt number (which begins with three letters followed by numbers). The system refreshes every 24 hours with current information from USCIS processing centers nationwide.

Understanding Your Status Messages

Status updates include basic acknowledgments like “Case Was Received” and specific notifications such as “Interview Was Scheduled” or “Card Was Produced.” The common status “Case Is Being Actively Reviewed” shows your application sits in normal processing queues. “Document Was Mailed” means USCIS sent additional paperwork or requests, while “Response To USCIS Request Was Received” confirms they received your reply.

“Request for Additional Evidence” indicates USCIS needs more documentation before they make a decision. “Case Was Approved” followed by “New Card Is Being Produced” signals success in your adjustment process.

Setting Up Automatic Notifications

USCIS offers email and text message alerts that notify you within hours of status changes rather than force daily manual checks. Create a myUSCIS account to manage multiple case notifications at once and receive processing time updates for your specific service center.

The notification system proves valuable during peak processing periods when status changes occur rapidly. These alerts eliminate constant page refreshing and provide peace of mind during lengthy processing periods.

While online tools offer convenience, some situations require direct communication with USCIS representatives through alternative tracking methods.

What Are Your Alternative Tracking Options

Phone support through the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 operates Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time, with multilingual assistance available in over 200 languages. Wait times average 45-60 minutes during peak hours (between 10 AM and 3 PM), but early morning calls typically connect within 15-20 minutes. Representatives access the same database as the online tool but can explain complex status messages and provide additional context about delays at your specific service center.

Direct Phone Assistance Benefits

USCIS customer service representatives can submit case inquiries directly during your call if your application exceeds normal timeframes by 30 days or more. They also verify receipt of documents you submitted in response to Requests for Evidence and confirm your current address on file. The automated system requires your receipt number and A-number before it connects you to a live agent, so have both numbers ready when you call.

Professional Legal Support Advantages

Immigration attorneys provide the most comprehensive assistance because they can contact USCIS directly through attorney channels that bypass standard customer service queues. Legal representatives receive priority response times for case inquiries and can escalate delayed applications through congressional inquiries when processing times become unreasonable.

Attorney involvement becomes particularly valuable when applications face unusual complications or when USCIS requests complex additional evidence that requires legal interpretation. Immigration lawyers monitor their clients’ cases proactively and communicate directly with USCIS centers to resolve issues before they cause significant delays.

If your adjustment of status application faces denial, attorneys can help you explore alternative visa options that might still lead to permanent residency through different pathways.

These alternative methods prove most effective when you understand typical processing timeframes and know when delays warrant immediate action.

How Long Will Your Application Take

Current USCIS processing times for Form I-485 adjustment of status applications range from 13 to 33 months, depending on your field office and case complexity. The National Benefits Center processes employment-based applications with varying timeframes, while family-based cases take 21 months on average according to USCIS data from October 2025. Chicago and Los Angeles field offices show the longest delays at 28-33 months, while smaller offices like Hartford and Portland complete cases in 13-15 months. Marriage-based applications filed concurrently with Form I-130 petitions face additional delays because both forms require review.

Primary Causes of Application Delays

USCIS processing delays stem from incomplete initial filings, missing supporting documents, and Request for Evidence responses that arrive past the 87-day deadline. Background check delays through FBI name checks impede USCIS from adjudicating applications in a timely manner, particularly those from applicants in countries with heightened security screening requirements. Medical examination deficiencies cause 8-week delays when civil surgeons fail to complete Form I-693 properly or when vaccinations require updates.

Visa Availability Impact

Priority date retrogression for certain countries creates indefinite delays until visa numbers become available again. The Visa Bulletin determines when applicants can proceed with their cases based on their priority dates and country of birth. Applicants from India and China face the longest waits due to per-country limits that restrict annual green card allocations.

Optimal Case Inquiry Strategy

Submit case inquiries only after your application exceeds normal processing times by 30 days or more, as premature inquiries receive standard responses without investigation. USCIS allows one case inquiry per 60-day period, so timing matters significantly. Applications stuck in administrative processing for security clearances warrant congressional inquiries after 12 months of inactivity. Document these delays carefully because they strengthen motions to reopen if your case faces denial due to processing backlogs rather than eligibility issues.

Final Thoughts

Effective adjustment of status tracking demands multiple methods rather than dependence on one approach. The USCIS online tool delivers immediate updates, phone support provides detailed explanations, and email notifications alert you within hours of changes. Professional legal assistance proves valuable when applications exceed normal timeframes or face complex complications.

Immigration attorneys submit case inquiries through priority channels and escalate delayed cases through congressional inquiries when standard methods fail. They access specialized resources that help overcome legal hurdles during the adjustment of status tracking process. Current processing times span 13-33 months depending on your field office and case type (with employment-based cases often moving faster than family-based applications).

Monitor your priority date through the Visa Bulletin and submit case inquiries only after your application exceeds normal timeframes by 30 days. We at Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Thompson help clients navigate immigration processes from initial paperwork through final approval. Our experience with USCIS procedures helps clients achieve their immigration goals with dedicated representation.