Some of you may be trying to figure out what the heck is the long 13 digit H1B EAC or WAC case number that USCIS gives us. How do we decode the case receipt number to understand ? What does each part of it stand for and how to decrypt to may be check the approximate processing time for your case. Here is how the USCIS case number looks like as in below image :
Location :
First three letters are alphabets and they indicate the location name of the service center where the H1B visa petition was filed.
- LIN – Nebraska Service Center (LIN refers to Lincoln, Nebraska).
- EAC – Vermont Service Center (old name: Eastern Adjudication Center).
- SRC – Texas Service Center (old name: Southern Regional Center).
- WAC – California Service Center (old name: Western Adjudication Center).
Year
The two digits correspond to current year of the H1B filing. For year 2018, it would be 18. To clarify, this corresponds to the current year and NOT fiscal year of USCIS. For instance, if you have filed petition for FY 2019 quota, and it was filed in current year, which is 2018, it would be 18.
Day :
Day indicates the number of the computer work day starting from October 1st. October 1st is when the fiscal year starts for H1Bs USCIS. If it was filed on October 1st, it would be 001. It is a little tricky with this number, computer work day indicates only working days and not weekends. For example, if it is like October 20th, it would be 16th working day or something like that…For April 12th, it would be 134 as the weekends and federal holidays are taken out. You can use wolframalpha website to ask the exact week day after Oct 1st, you will need to add federal holidays to that number.
Case Number
The last 5 digits indicate the case number that was assigned to on a particular day. There is no guarantee that it would start with 0001. Some say it starts with 5.
Caution – One Big Catch – Is this a H1B Case Number or What else ?
The Case Number that starts with EAC/WAC, etc does not just correspond to H1B Visa petition, similar case number is given by USCIS for all petitions that are filed using I-129 USCIS form , which includes visa types of H1B, H2A, H3, L1, O1, P1,P1S, P2, P2S, P3S, Q1, R1, E1, E2,E3, H1B1 or TN…Phew ! thats a lot of non-immigrant worker visa types ! Do NOT be misguided by information saying that every number that has above format belongs to H1B and make conclusions. One more thing, even, if you know it was for a H1B visa application, you have no way to figure out that it it was new, extension, transfer, cap subject or cap exempt. There are few websites that post statuses of these number by scraping the USCIS website, beware and do not just assume it is all H1B cap subject processing times, that’s incorrect info posted on that sites…
You should check article on: H1B Statuses, Flow in USCIS System using the H1B case number . Also you can read article on How to check Processing times for H1B on USCIS website and see the approximate processing times at a particular service center too by selecting the case type and center.
Any other thing that I have missed on the case number ?
Hi Admin,
Myself Kranthi Kumar Kathriki and here is my case Number (WAC181653009) and there is no update so far from USCIS whether any RFE nor decision .
Please help me to get update.
What is BEC for case number?tnx
Backlog Elimination Center
Hi,
Status shown as below,
On July 28, 2008, we received your response to our Request for Evidence for your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC08149XXXXX. We will mail you a decision or notify you if we need something from you. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address..
After that the employer closed the compeny.
Is the above valid for VISA interview.
Please help me.
Hi,
I have EAC number and the USCIS website says my case was received on April 12th, and now it is still showing “Case Was Received”.
While myUSCIS website is showing that my “Case was received on April 19th”, and my Case was approved on May 4th”. May I know which status should I believe?
I have not receive the approval notice from USCIS even now, is there an estimated time frame that I will receive it?
Thanks very much in advance.
Hi,
My case status shows
“Intent to Revoke Notice Was Sent” anybody knows about what exactly meaning of this case status?
its termination of Approval
Hi Friends,
My case status was updated as “Response To USCIS’ Request For Evidence Was Received” on Dec 13, 2016. 25 days over but still status didn’t get updated.
My application was processed for Premium on Dec 1st week. How to check whether it is processed for premium or not?..
Can anybody help me please?
Status shown as below,
On December 13, 2016, we received your response to our Request for Evidence for your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC16xxxxxxxx. Our California Service Center office will begin working on your case again. We will mail you a decision or notify you if we need something from you. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.
Thanks,
Daya
Hi,
My Case no is EAC161445XXXX and I got a RFE on 10/18/2016, it was upgraded to premium on 11/08/2016.
My Petitioner replied for RFE on 11/10/2016, before changing status to response received I got another RFE on 11/16/2016,
Still my case was in RFE status, Can anyone explain how much USICS will take to change the status to Response for RFE received once they receive the mail/post.
Regards,
Mahesh
Hi Friends ,
My case still shows “Received” . Its already week past Oct , Most of my friends case got approved . Is this alarming ? Do i need to serious Now ?
Is any one out there in same state ?
I’m lil anxious here please advice .
Hi ,
Myself Neel and my H1B picked up in Lottery and I got the case Receipt Number(EAC16146XXXXX) from my employer. When I checked the status it is still showing as Case Received till today and I have been seeing this status from almost 2 months. Most of my colleagues have got approvals & RFE having same employer and even some of them have receipt number sequence far next then me .I am not sure what’s going on with my case. My intension is not to get a RFE but i’ m curious what’s going on with my case . Is the Processing done based on Receipt case numbers in sequential order or it is been processed randomly. Can anybody help me out with this.
Regards
Neel
Same with the my case as well.
Regards,
Mahesh
sometimes they dont update the online case status. My H1 was approved and I have the copy in hand post october 1st, but online status still says ‘RFE was recieved.’
Hi,
My case status still showing Case Transferred to New Jurisdiction since May.
When can i expect my case to get approval?
Hi Saurabh,
My case status shows
“On May 18, 2016, we transferred your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC16147XXXXX, to another office for processing and sent you a transfer notice. The notice explains why we transferred your case. On May 18, 2016, we transferred your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC1614754244, to another office for processing and sent you a transfer notice. The notice explains why we transferred your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your notice by June 17, 2016, please go to www.uscis.gov/e-request to request a copy of the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.. If you do not receive your notice by June 17, 2016, please go to www.uscis.gov/e-request to request a copy of the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.”
I checked with my employer and they are saying they have not received anything from USCIS until now so whenever they will receive anything will update me the same. I am worried if they have not received anything then how will they follow the instructions mentioned in the notice.
Please help me understand the issue.
Thanks in advance for your time.
Regards,
Poonam
hi ,
Please find my status below.
Case Was Transferred And A New Office Has Jurisdiction
On May 18, 2016, we transferred your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC16149*****, to another USCIS office. That office now has jurisdiction over your case. We sent you a notice that explains why we moved your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your notice by June 17, 2016, please go to www.uscis.gov/e-request to request a copy of the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.
I am not hearing any update from my employer..just puzzled if it is gonna get approved or not.
Poonam,
The employer needs to contact USCIS and make sure they have the correct address. Then ask USCIS to resend the notice.
Hi Poonam,
in initial filing we will file the case and it will go USCIS office (Vermont, Nebraska). if case got denailed if we open Motion To Reopen our packet will go to another office. dont worry about it. new uscis office will be taking care of your case as per jurisdiction.
Hi ,
Myself Prakash and my H1B picked up and i got the case number from my employer.When i checked the status it is still showing as Case Received and i have been seeing this status from almost 2 months and i’m not sure what’s going on with my case.One of my friend who got his H1B picked up as already got an RFE and in my case it is still showing as case recieved.My intension is not to get a RFE but i’m curious what’s going on with my case can anybody help me out on this.
Thanks,
Prakash
Prakash,
Not necessary that all petitions are processed at the same time. They are processed in a window of 2-6 months. Some maybe processed at 2 month marker, others at 6 month marker. Nothing unusual happening w/ your case.
Hi Saurabh,
Thanks for your reply and you mean to say that it would also take more than october at times.Also can you can you help me deciphering the tracking number my Tr# is EAC 16 143 52XXX.I need the help with number of days in my tracking number.
Thanks,
Prakash
Prakash,
Most of the petitions are processed by Oct, but there is no SLA. Some may remain pending beyond Oct.
Your petition was received one 143rd day in FY-16 (started in Oct 2015). I don’t know what date it exactly corresponds to.
Hi Saurabh,
Thanks for your reply and i got an RFE and i’m waiting to hear from my employer.
Thanks,
Prakash
Hello Saurabh,
In my case status is “Case Was Received” – on USCIS online portal however my employer says that they have received status/reply as RFE and on online portal it is different. Does this mismatch happens ?
Suman,
This is possible. I have seen instances when online status is not updated while the processing has moved forward. Unless your employer has a reason to lie, trust them.
Thank you
Hi Saurabh,
What is the current trend now on H1B Approval, since I applied for H1B transfer and case was in received status since March-28, 2016.
Thanks in advance for your time and inputs.
Thanks,
Vinodh
Hi Saurabh,
What is the current trend now on H1B Approval, since I applied for H1B transfer and case was in received status since March-28, 2016.
Thanks in advance for your time and inputs.
Thanks,
Vinodh
Vinodh,
You can look at the processing times on USCIS site for your processing center.
Hi Prakash,
if you have filed the case in regular processing then it will take some time to get decision. may be friend filed in Premium processing
Hi Admin,
I have received case no. But How can i verify the case no?
Hi,
My case number is KBAAB560551-1 which is different from the format explained in this article.
Can anybody explain how to interpret the above case number?
Thanks
Hello MK,
If i am not wrong, you are from CTS. I am also from CTS and this is not the actual case number that USCIS provides. This is a temporary internal tracking case number within Cognizant. I too have a number which looks similar. 🙂
I have heard that GM has asked to wait till mid june for final results. So lets wait till then 🙁 if nothing comes b4 it.
i urgently need I129 form .I have EAC number.But my company not ready to give me the soft copy.
Rakhi,
You cannot get I-129 copy w/o employer’s help. Why do you need it?
my application has been selected in 2015 lottery. But my company has not shared any number. Is there any way I can get it if I leave the organization now.
Hi,
I got VRN followed by the 10 digit number (2015). Can anyone help me what VRN stands for ??
Hi ,
I got a receipt number (VRN)2015. Can any one help me what VRN stands for …
Hello S,
Can you please tell me what your VRN says ?
My VRN says application is rejected because of missing LCA
Hi,
I got receipt number (WAC) in 2013 quote but my file went to RFE then after submitting documents it is denied.
Now the company file for me in 2013 quote says that i am still in quote and can submitted again using your WAC number…
My company says the case is closed because of denial notice but the WAC number is valid and i am in 2013 quota.
Is it true.. Does it has any validity?
Pls let me know.
Regards
N