Visa & Green Card
USCIS Receipt Number Decoder for Indians
What does your USCIS receipt number prefix mean? Select IOE, LIN, SRC, EAC, WAC, or MSC to learn which service center has your case, what forms it handles, and what the prefix does NOT tell you. No full receipt number required.
Educational only — not legal or immigration advice. Always verify at uscis.gov and consult a licensed immigration attorney for your situation.
Receipt prefix decoder
What does my USCIS receipt prefix mean?
Select only the first 3 letters of your receipt number — no full number needed.
Select the first 3 letters of your receipt number above to see the explanation.
Related USCIS guides
Receipt Number Explained
Full guide: what it is, where to find it, what each prefix means
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USCIS Case Status Guide
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RFE Guide
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USCIS Guide Hub
Full USCIS overview for NRIs and Indian applicants
Case Approved — What Next
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Frequently asked questions
What does the prefix on my USCIS receipt number mean?
The first 3 letters of your receipt number identify the USCIS service center that received your application: IOE = filed online via myUSCIS, LIN = Nebraska Service Center, SRC = Texas Service Center, EAC = Vermont Service Center, WAC = California Service Center, MSC/NBC = National Benefits Center. The prefix does NOT tell you how long your case will take, whether it will be approved, or where you are in the queue.
Do I need to enter my full receipt number to use this tool?
No — and you should not. This tool only asks for the first 3 letters (the prefix) and optionally your form type. There is no reason to enter your full receipt number anywhere except the official USCIS case status portal at egov.uscis.gov.
My receipt number starts with IOE — is that different from LIN, SRC, etc.?
IOE receipt numbers are issued when you file online through the USCIS website (myUSCIS). They work exactly the same way for case status tracking at egov.uscis.gov. USCIS routes your IOE case to an appropriate service center for adjudication — you may never see a physical service center prefix on that application.
My I-485 receipt prefix changed from LIN to MSC — what happened?
Your case was transferred from the Nebraska Service Center to the National Benefits Center (NBC), which uses the MSC prefix. This is standard procedure for I-485 adjustment of status cases — the NBC routes them to local field offices for interview scheduling. It does not restart your processing or affect your priority date.
Can I check case status with just the prefix?
No — you need the full 13-character receipt number to check status on the USCIS portal. The prefix alone identifies the service center, not your specific case. Enter the full receipt number from your I-797 at egov.uscis.gov/casestatus.
Why should I never share my full receipt number publicly?
Your receipt number is linked to your immigration record. Anyone with your receipt number can look up your case status and see your application type, filing date, and current status. Never post it on Reddit, Facebook, WhatsApp groups, Discord, or any public forum. Share only with your employer, immigration attorney, or USCIS directly.
Once I know my status, how do I understand what it means?
Use the USCIS Case Status Meaning Tool at /tools/uscis-case-status-meaning. Select your form type and status message to get a plain-English explanation, typical next steps, and guidance on when to contact your attorney.