USCIS Online Access Code: How to Get and Use It (2026)
A USCIS online access code is a one-time code mailed to you that lets you add a paper-filed case to your myUSCIS account without needing the petitioner's involvement.
Quick Answer
A USCIS online access code is a one-time alphanumeric code that USCIS mails on paper to the address on your petition. You enter it at my.uscis.gov together with your 13-character receipt number to link a paper-filed case to your online account, so you can track it like an online filing. It is not your receipt number and not your USCIS online account number. There is no way to look it up online — if it never arrived or expired, call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 or have your attorney link the case with your online account number instead.
Key takeaways
- Look for a separate mailed notice — the access code does not appear on your I-797C receipt notice.
- Enter it with your 13-character receipt number (for example EAC, LIN, WAC, SRC or IOE) at my.uscis.gov.
- Act quickly: codes carry an expiration date printed on the notice.
- Check the address on the petition, not your current one — USCIS mails the code to the address on file at filing.
- Skip the code entirely if your attorney entered your online account number on the petition before filing.
If USCIS mailed you a notice with an access code and you are not sure what to do with it, this page is the short version: it is the key that links a paper-filed petition to your online myUSCIS dashboard. This guide is for anyone whose employer or attorney filed on paper — H-1B I-129 petitions, family I-130s, I-485s — who wants online status visibility instead of waiting for mailed notices. The single most important thing to know: the code arrives only by postal mail, cannot be retrieved from any website, and expires, so if the notice went to an old address you need to call USCIS rather than hunt for it online. Below: exactly what the code is and where to find it on the notice, how to enter it step by step, how it differs from the receipt number and online account number, what to do when it expires or never arrives, and the common errors that stop a case from linking.
What Is a USCIS Online Access Code?
When USCIS receives a paper-filed petition (such as an I-129 H1B filed by an employer on paper), they send a Notice of Action (I-797C) with a receipt number — and in some cases they also mail a separate notice containing an online access code to the beneficiary's address.
The access code is typically:
- A string of letters and numbers printed on the notice
- Valid for a limited time (check the notice for expiration)
- Specific to one case/receipt number
Your access code is mailed to your address on file
- USCIS sends the online access code to the address listed on your paper petition — not necessarily your current address. If you have moved since filing, the notice may go to the old address. Check with your employer's attorney about the address used on the petition.
How Do You Enter a USCIS Online Access Code?
Steps to enter your online access code
- Go to my.uscis.gov and log in (or create a free account first)
- On your dashboard, look for "Add a case" or "Link a paper case"
- Enter your receipt number (from your I-797 notice)
- When prompted, enter the online access code from your separate code notice
- The case will appear in your myUSCIS dashboard with available status updates
Access Code vs Receipt Number vs Online Account Number
These three numbers get confused constantly. Only one of them is the access code:
| Identifier | Looks like | Where it comes from | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online access code | Short alphanumeric code | Mailed on a separate USCIS notice | One-time link of a paper case to your account |
| Receipt number | 13 characters, e.g. EAC2412345678 | Printed on your I-797C | Permanently identifies the case |
| USCIS online account number | 12-digit number | Shown in your myUSCIS profile | Given to your attorney *before* filing |
| A-number | A + 8–9 digits | On green card / notices | Identifies you, not the case |
Both the access code and the online account number can link a paper case — but they work differently:
Avoid
- Online account number: You give it to your attorney before filing. They enter it on the paper petition. Requires coordination before the petition is filed.
Do this
- Online access code: USCIS mails it to your address. You enter it yourself on myUSCIS. Works even if your attorney did not enter your account number on the petition.
What If Your Access Code Expired or Never Arrived?
If the code has expired or you never received a code notice:
- Your employer's attorney can link the case on their end using your online account number
- You can contact USCIS to request a new code (call 1-800-375-5283)
- For basic status, you can always use egov.uscis.gov with just your receipt number
| Your situation | What to do | Realistic timing |
|---|---|---|
| Code notice never arrived | Confirm the address used on the petition, then call USCIS | Allow time for re-mailing |
| Code expired | Call 1-800-375-5283 and request a new code | New notice arrives by mail |
| Moved since filing | File Form AR-11 change of address, then request a new code | Update address first |
| Code rejected as invalid | Re-enter without spaces, all uppercase | Immediate |
| Case still not showing after entry | Wait 24–48 hours for systems to sync | 1–2 days |
| Need status right now | Use egov.uscis.gov with the receipt number alone | Immediate |
How This Connects to the Rest of Your USCIS Account
Linking a paper case is one step in a bigger picture: the myUSCIS account is where notices, RFEs and decisions appear online, while the case status portal shows the one-line status using only a receipt number. If you are unsure which tool to use, the myUSCIS vs case status comparison lays out what each one can and cannot show. Your receipt number is the constant across all of them — and once the case is linked, what each status message means becomes the next thing worth understanding.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a USCIS online access code?
You do not request it in advance — USCIS mails it automatically on a separate notice to the address on your paper petition. There is no way to look it up online. If it never arrived or has expired, call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 to request a new one, or ask your attorney to link the case using your online account number instead.
Where do I find my USCIS online access code?
On the paper notice USCIS mailed you — it is a separate document from the I-797C receipt notice, and the code is printed on it along with an expiration date. It does not appear anywhere in your online account, in email, or on the receipt notice itself.
How long is a USCIS online access code valid?
Each notice prints its own expiration date, so check the notice rather than assuming. Once it lapses you cannot reuse it; call USCIS for a replacement or link the case through your online account number.
Can I add a paper-filed case to myUSCIS without an access code?
Yes, if your attorney entered your 12-digit USCIS online account number on the petition before filing — then the case links automatically. Without either the code or that pre-filing coordination, you cannot self-link, but you can still check status at egov.uscis.gov with the receipt number.
Does every paper petition come with an online access code?
Not always. Access code notices are sent for many paper-filed cases but not all. Whether you receive one depends on USCIS systems and the specific form. Your attorney can also link the case using your online account number.
I entered my access code but the case is not showing. What next?
Allow 24–48 hours for the system to sync. If the case still does not appear, check that you entered the receipt number correctly (no spaces, all uppercase). Contact USCIS if the issue persists.
Is the access code the same as the receipt number?
No. The receipt number (13 characters, starts with 3 letters like EAC or LIN) is your permanent case tracking number. The access code is a temporary one-time code for linking the case to your myUSCIS dashboard.
Official sources
- myUSCIS — link a paper case with your access code
- Check your case status
- USCIS Contact Center: 1-800-375-5283
See the step-by-step guide for adding a paper case
After you have your access code or online account number, follow these steps to link your petition.
Deepak Middha, CA, Series 65Founder & Author
Deepak has experience in cross-border finance, tax-aware planning, and immigrant money decisions. View full profile →
Educational content, not personalized tax, legal, immigration, or financial advice. Rules, fees, and processing times change — always verify with the official source before acting. See our full disclaimer.
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