Educational guide only. NRItoUSA is not USCIS, not a law firm, and not your attorney. Always verify at uscis.gov and consult a licensed immigration attorney for your specific situation.
USCIS Guide
USCIS Receipt Number Explained
What the 13-character code on your I-797 really means — and why the first 3 letters (IOE, LIN, SRC, EAC, WAC, MSC) matter for Indian applicants.
Updated June 16, 2026 · ~8 min read
Quick answer
- ▸A USCIS receipt number is a 13-character case ID on your I-797 Notice of Action, formatted like LIN2412345678.
- ▸The first 3 letters identify which USCIS service center received your application (IOE = online, LIN = Nebraska, SRC = Texas, EAC = Vermont, WAC = California, MSC/NBC = National Benefits Center).
- ▸Use it to check status at egov.uscis.gov/casestatus — the only official portal.
- ▸Never post your full receipt number publicly — it is linked to your immigration record.
Receipt Prefix Decoder
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.
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What is a USCIS receipt number?
Every time you file an application or petition with USCIS, the agency assigns a unique 13-character receipt number when it accepts your filing. This number appears on Form I-797 Notice of Action — the document USCIS mails to confirm receipt.
The receipt number is your primary tracking ID throughout the entire adjudication process. You enter it at egov.uscis.gov/casestatus to check case status, and it's referenced in any USCIS correspondence about your case.
Receipt number structure
| Part | Characters | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prefix | 3 letters | LIN | Service center |
| Fiscal year | 2 digits | 24 | FY the case was filed (e.g., 24 = FY2024) |
| Day of year | 3 digits | 123 | Day of the fiscal year received |
| Sequence | 5 digits | 45678 | Sequential case number that day |
Total: 13 characters — e.g., LIN2412345678
Where to find your receipt number on the I-797
The receipt number appears in the upper-right section of your Form I-797 Notice of Action, labeled "Receipt Number." It is printed in the format XXX XXXXXXXXXX (3 letters, then 10 digits, sometimes with a space). When entering it online, omit any spaces.
If you filed online through myUSCIS, your receipt number also appears in your online account dashboard under My Cases.
USCIS receipt number prefix meanings
| Prefix | Service Center | Location | Common for Indian applicants |
|---|---|---|---|
| IOE | Online filing (ELIS) | Electronic | I-485, I-765, I-131, N-400 filed online |
| LIN | Nebraska Service Center | Lincoln, NE | H1B, I-140, I-485, EAD |
| SRC | Texas Service Center | Dallas area, TX | H1B, I-140, I-485, EAD |
| EAC | Vermont Service Center | St. Albans, VT | H1B, I-140, I-485 |
| WAC | California Service Center | Laguna Niguel, CA | H1B, I-140, I-485 (heavy tech industry) |
| MSC | National Benefits Center | Lee's Summit, MO | I-485 transferred cases, I-130 |
| NBC | National Benefits Center | Lee's Summit, MO | I-485 (interview routing), I-130 |
Why the receipt number matters for Indian applicants
Track your I-485 transfer
Many Indian EB applicants see their I-485 receipt number prefix change from LIN/SRC/WAC to MSC or NBC. This means USCIS transferred your case to the National Benefits Center for interview scheduling — normal and expected.
H1B cap-exempt routing
Cap-exempt H1B petitions may be routed to different service centers than regular cap cases. Your prefix tells you which center has your petition, which matters when comparing processing times.
I-140 priority date
Your priority date — the single most important date for Indian EB applicants — is NOT encoded in the receipt number. It is printed explicitly on your I-797 receipt notice. Keep that document safe.
Multiple pending petitions
If you have both an I-140 and an I-485 pending, each gets its own receipt number. Track them separately. A status update on one does not automatically update the other.
Receipt number examples for Indian applicants
H1B transfer/extension
LIN24123XXXXX or SRC24256XXXXX
Employer files I-129 at a service center. LIN and SRC handle most H1B volume.
I-140 EB-2/EB-3 petition
LIN24089XXXXX or WAC24301XXXXX
Filed by employer. Priority date on the I-797 receipt — watch this date for the visa bulletin.
I-485 Adjustment of Status
LIN24045XXXXX → later MSC24178XXXXX
Starts at service center, often transferred to NBC/MSC. Both receipts are valid for tracking.
I-765 EAD (online filing)
IOE0123456789
Filed online via myUSCIS. IOE prefix is common for EAD renewals since 2022.
I-131 Advance Parole
IOE0987654321 or LIN24301XXXXX
Usually same service center as your I-485, or IOE if filed online.
N-400 Naturalization
IOE0123459876
Most N-400 applications are now filed online. Interview at your local USCIS field office.
Receipt number vs. USCIS online account number
These are two different things. Your USCIS online account number is the login ID for your myUSCIS account — it's not the same as the receipt number printed on your I-797. Here is how they differ:
| Receipt number | Online account number | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Case-specific ID for one application | Your myUSCIS login account ID |
| Format | LIN2412345678 (13 chars) | Varies (numeric, 10–13 digits) |
| Where to find it | Form I-797 Notice of Action | myUSCIS.gov account profile |
| Used to check status | Yes — enter at egov.uscis.gov | No — login only |
| Persists across cases | No — each case gets a new number | Yes — stays the same |
What NOT to share publicly
Never share these in public forums, Reddit, WhatsApp groups, or Discord:
- ✗Your full receipt number (LIN/IOE/SRC/etc.)
- ✗Your Alien Registration Number (A-number)
- ✗Your passport number
- ✗Your date of birth
- ✗Your home address or employer address
- ✗Photos of your I-797 (it contains all of the above)
Your receipt number is directly 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. It is not a password, but it is sensitive information that should be treated accordingly.
When asking for help on forums, you can share just the prefix (e.g., "LIN receipt number") without the full number — that gives enough context for others to help you without exposing your case details.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a USCIS receipt number?
- A USCIS receipt number is a unique 13-character identifier assigned to every immigration application or petition when USCIS accepts it. It looks like LIN2412345678 or IOE0123456789. You use it to track your case status at egov.uscis.gov. It is printed on your Form I-797 Notice of Action.
- What does the 3-letter prefix on my receipt number mean?
- The first 3 letters identify the USCIS service center that received your application: IOE = filed online, LIN = Nebraska, SRC = Texas, EAC = Vermont, WAC = California, MSC/NBC = National Benefits Center. The prefix does NOT tell you how long your case will take or whether it will be approved.
- Where do I find my receipt number?
- Your receipt number is on your Form I-797 Notice of Action — the document USCIS mails after accepting your application. It is labeled 'Receipt Number' in the upper-right area of the form. It is also available in your myUSCIS online account if you filed electronically.
- What is the difference between a receipt number and an A-number?
- A receipt number (e.g., LIN2412345678) is case-specific — each application gets its own. An Alien Registration Number (A-number, e.g., A123456789) is person-specific and stays with you for life. You get an A-number when USCIS issues a green card, Employment Authorization Document, or certain other documents. Many applicants don't have an A-number until later in the green card process.
- Can I check my case status with just the receipt number?
- Yes — go to egov.uscis.gov/casestatus and enter your receipt number exactly as it appears on your I-797 (no spaces or dashes). This is the only official way to check USCIS case status. Never enter your receipt number on third-party websites.
- My I-485 receipt prefix changed from LIN to MSC — is that normal?
- Yes, this is standard. USCIS transfers I-485 adjustment of status cases from service centers (LIN, SRC, etc.) to the National Benefits Center (MSC or NBC) when they are ready for interview scheduling. The transfer does not reset your filing date or priority date.
- Is IOE receipt number the same as other receipt numbers?
- Functionally yes — you check an IOE receipt number the same way at egov.uscis.gov. IOE simply means you filed your application online through the USCIS website rather than by paper mail. The IOE prefix has been expanding since 2020 as USCIS expands online filing.
- What should I NOT share my receipt number with?
- Never post your full receipt number on Reddit, Facebook, WhatsApp, forums, or any public platform. Your receipt number is linked to your immigration record. Only share it with your employer, immigration attorney, or USCIS directly. There is no benefit to sharing it publicly — only privacy and identity risk.
Related USCIS guides
USCIS Case Status Guide
What every status message means for H1B, I-140, I-485, EAD
Case Status Meaning Tool
Interactive tool — select form + status, get plain-English meaning
Receipt Prefix Decoder
Standalone tool for IOE/LIN/SRC/EAC/WAC/MSC prefix lookup
USCIS Guide Hub
Full overview of USCIS processes for Indian applicants
NRItoUSA is not USCIS. This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. USCIS policies, processing times, and form requirements change frequently. Always verify information at uscis.gov and consult a licensed immigration attorney for your specific situation.