Green card status
Short answer
You check a green card case with the 13-character receipt number on your I-485, I-130 or I-90 notice, in the USCIS case status tool. For adjustment inside the U.S., USCIS took a median of 7 months on family I-485s and 6 months on employment I-485s in April to June 2026. After approval, the status moves to "New Card Is Being Produced" and then "Card Was Mailed To Me", and your USCIS online account shows the USPS tracking number.
- I-485, family 7 months median, Apr–Jun 2026
- I-485, employment 6 months median, Apr–Jun 2026
- Pending family I-485s 601,751 USCIS count, Aug 2026
- I-90 card renewal 5.5 months median, Apr–Jun 2026
Updated · Sources
Which number to check
“Green card status” can mean several different cases. Each has its own form and its own receipt number. The receipt number has 13 characters, three letters and ten numbers; enter it in the USCIS case status tool without dashes (Checking Your Case Status Online).
| Your situation | Form | Where to track it |
|---|---|---|
| Applying from inside the U.S. | I-485 | USCIS case status, I-485 receipt |
| Relative’s petition for you | I-130 | USCIS case status, I-130 receipt |
| Immigrant visa abroad | Petition, then NVC | USCIS until approval, then the State Department |
| Card expiring or lost | I-90 | USCIS case status, I-90 receipt |
| Two-year conditional card | I-751 | USCIS case status, I-751 receipt |
A few details from the I-485 page: if you filed at a lockbox, your A-Number may come in a second notice a few days after the receipt. And USCIS changed the I-485 filing location on Oct. 7, 2026, accepting forms sent to the prior location if postmarked by Nov. 9, 2026.
Consular cases. After USCIS approves the petition, it sends it to the State Department’s National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC collects fees and documents, and a consulate holds the interview (USCIS Consular Processing). From then on, the USCIS tool no longer shows that stage. See NVC processing time.
What the main status messages mean
A green card case passes through the same stages as most USCIS cases. Our status index explains all 36 messages.
| Message | What it means |
|---|---|
| Case Was Received | USCIS accepted the filing and sent a receipt notice (received). |
| Biometrics appointment / fingerprints taken | USCIS took your fingerprints and photo at an ASC (biometrics, fingerprints taken). |
| Case Is Being Actively Reviewed By USCIS | An officer is working on the case (review). |
| Request for Additional Evidence Was Sent | USCIS needs more documents before deciding (evidence request). |
| Case Is Ready To Be Scheduled For An Interview | You wait for an interview notice (interview). |
| Case Was Approved | The decision is made (decision). |
| New Card Is Being Produced | The card is in production (card stage). |
How long each green card form takes
For adjustment of status, USCIS reports the I-485 by category. The median covers cases finished in April to June 2026; the average is for August 2026, from a different report. They measure different things, so don’t subtract one from the other.
| I-485 category | Median (Apr–Jun 2026) | Average (Aug 2026) | Pending (Aug 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family | 7 months | 12.4 months | 601,751 |
| Employment | 6 months | 11.8 months | 270,857 |
| Asylum | 25.6 months | 29.9 months | 138,562 |
| Refugee | 17.6 months | 16.3 months | 157,877 |
| Cuban | 16.3 months | 20.6 months | 355,520 |
| Other | 21 months | 22.1 months | 77,774 |
Sources: USCIS, All Forms by Quarter, FY2026 Q3 for the medians, and the USCIS monthly report, Aug 2026 for averages and pending counts.
The other green card forms, from the same quarterly report (April to June 2026):
- I-130, immediate relatives: median 13 months. See I-130 processing time.
- I-751, removing conditions: median 22.6 months; average 21.9 months in August 2026. See I-751 processing time.
- I-90, renewing or replacing a card: median 5.5 months. See I-90 processing time.
More on the I-485, its work permit and travel document: I-485 processing time.
From approval to the card in your mailbox
After approval, these card messages usually appear in order (card stage):
- New Card Is Being Produced. USCIS is making the card.
- Card Was Mailed To Me. USCIS mailed it. Your online account shows the USPS tracking number.
- Card Was Picked Up By The United States Postal Service. USPS has it.
- Card Was Delivered To Me By The Post Office. USPS marked it delivered.
If you see Card Was Returned To USCIS, the post office could not deliver it. Contact USCIS.
What USCIS says about tracking, on its delivery tracking page:
- Cards ship by USPS Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation (the Secure Mail Initiative).
- The online account shows the tracking number once the card is mailed; Case Status Online shows that it was mailed.
- USPS Informed Delivery can show you mail before it arrives.
- Paper notices cannot be tracked, only cards and documents.
USCIS publishes no figure for how long production or delivery takes, so we don’t give one.
If the card is missing. USCIS says to first use USPS Find Missing Mail. If the card isn’t found, contact USCIS, or use the e-Request for a card not received by mail. USCIS can sometimes try a second delivery; otherwise you generally need to file a new form. Moved? Update your address before the card ships (change of address).
If you entered with an immigrant visa. USCIS mails the card after you arrive, once the USCIS Immigrant Fee is paid. If the fee is unpaid, USCIS will not send the card until it is. If the card hasn’t arrived within 90 days of your arrival, USCIS says to call the Contact Center or use e-Request (Consular Processing).
If your case is taking longer than normal
Use the receipt number of the form that is stuck, not of the whole green card process: an I-485, an I-130 and an I-765 each have their own time on the processing times page. Past that time, submit an e-Request or call the USCIS Contact Center. If the card was approved but never arrived, the section above explains what USCIS says to do. For an emergency, read the expedite criteria; USCIS decides at its discretion.
The YourCaseStatus app (coming soon) will alert you when your status changes. For every form, see the processing times hub.
Official links
Frequently asked questions
How can I check my green card status online?
Enter the receipt number from your I-797 notice, without dashes, in the USCIS case status tool. A USCIS online account shows more: up to the last five actions and, once the card is mailed, the USPS tracking number.
How long does it take to get the card after approval?
USCIS publishes no figure for card production, so we give none. Watch for "New Card Is Being Produced", then "Card Was Mailed To Me". Your online account shows the USPS tracking number when it ships.
What does "New Card Is Being Produced" mean?
USCIS approved the case and is making the card. A later message tells you when it was mailed. Make sure USCIS has your current address before it ships.
How long does the I-485 take?
In April to June 2026, the median was 7 months for family cases and 6 months for employment cases. Asylum-based cases had a median of 25.6 months. See our I-485 page for every category.
The status says delivered, but I don't have my card. What now?
USCIS says to start with USPS Find Missing Mail. If that doesn't find it, contact USCIS or use the e-Request form for a card not received by mail.
I got my immigrant visa abroad. When does the card arrive?
USCIS mails it after you enter the U.S., if you paid the USCIS Immigrant Fee. USCIS says to call its Contact Center or use e-Request if it hasn't arrived within 90 days of your arrival.
Sources
- USCIS, All Forms by Quarter, FY2026 Q3 Apr–Jun 2026
- USCIS, monthly report to Congress (average months to completion) Aug 2026
- USCIS, How to Track Delivery of Your Notice or Card Page checked Nov 4, 2026
- USCIS, Consular Processing Page checked Nov 4, 2026
- USCIS, Checking Your Case Status Online Page checked Nov 4, 2026
- USCIS, Form I-485 Page checked Nov 4, 2026