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H1B Visa Case Receipt Number, Petition Number – IOE, EAC, WAC – Meaning?

USCIS accepts various kinds of H1B petitions, such as new H1B cap-subject petitions, petitions for H1B extensions, H1B petitions for the transfer of companies, and H1B cap-exempt petitions. One thing is common: they all receive an H1B Receipt Notice from USCIS indicating they received the H1B petition.

When you look at the USCIS-issued Receipt notice for the H1B petition, it would have a receipt number or case number. This number can be used to track the petition’s status with USCIS.

If you are new to the process, looking at the long number and guessing what that number means can be puzzling. In this article, we will cover what the H1B Case Receipt Number or Petition Number indicates by looking at each of the letters in the H1B Case Number.

As a background, if you are a first-time H1B applicant, you will need to go through the H1B Visa registration Lottery process, and only if you are selected in the H1B lottery, then you would be eligible to file an H1B petition with USCIS. Also, the H1B petition can only be filed by a Company. As an applicant, you cannot file the H1B petition alone.

What is the H1B Visa Case Number? Petition Number?

USCIS sends a “Form I-797C, Notice of Action” after they receive the H1B Petition. This form is called the H1B Receipt Notice. It is a generic form used to notify the receipt of a petition or application, but the Class requested field indicates whether it is a receipt notice for an H1B petition or not.

As part of sending the H1B receipt notice, USCIS assigns a unique case receipt number for every H1B petition they receive. The receipt number consists of 13-digit alphanumeric characters and typically starts with three alphabets, like WAC or EAC, based on where it was filed.

This 13-digit alphanumeric number is called the H1B receipt or H1B Petition Number. It appears at the top of the H1B Receipt Notice (Form I-797C, Notice of Action), as shown in the screenshot below.

H1B Receipt Number on USCIS Receipt Notice
H1B Receipt Number on USCIS Receipt Notice

H1B Petition Number vs. Receipt Number

People sometimes use the term “H1B Petition Number” and ask for the “H1B receipt number”. This can be confusing if you are new to it. The “H1B Petition Number” and the “H1B Receipt Number” or “H1B Case Receipt Number” mean the same thing and are often used interchangeably.

On some websites, you may be asked to fill out the H1B Petition Number; in some cases, you may be asked to enter the H1B receipt number or USCIS H1B Case number. In all these cases, you would use the same 13-dight alphanumeric number on the H1B receipt or approval notice. If you are filling out the H1B Visa Stamping application, you will asked to fill out the Petition Number, which is nothing but the H1B Case Receipt Number.

Understanding the H1B Case Receipt Number, Petition Number

Of the 13-digit alphanumeric characters that are part of the H1B Case Receipt Number or Petition Number, each set of characters has a specific meaning. We need to break them out properly to understand them correctly.

We should break down the H1B Case Number into sets of characters grouped like below:

  • XXX—XX—XXX—XXXXX
  • EAC—24—128—50345 ( example for H1B FY 2025 filed petition)

Now, let’s look at each of the groups of characters.

First 3 Letters of H1B Case Number: EAC, WAC, LIN, IOE, SRC

The first three characters indicate where the H1B petition was filed.

  • EAC – Vermont Service Center (old name: Eastern Adjudication Center).
  • WAC – California Service Center (old name: Western Adjudication Center).
  • LIN – Nebraska Service Center (LIN refers to Lincoln, Nebraska).
  • SRC – Texas Service Center (old name: Southern Regional Center).
  • IOE – IOE stands for Integrate Operation Environment(where the petition was processed); it is not a service center location but indicates that the petition was filed electronically or electronically scanned and processed. In the H1B petition context, it was scanned at a shared service center and then processed. The service center details will be at the bottom of the receipt notice.

Following 2 Letters of H1B Case Number: Year of filing

The following two digits indicate the year when it was filed. It is not the fiscal year but rather the calendar year when the petition was filed. Do not try to read something that says WAC2023XXXX to think it is related to the year 2023, you should only look at the following two letters after the first three characters.

  • For the H1B Visa FY 2024 season, it would be 23
  • For the H1B Visa FY 2025 season, it would be 24

Subsequent 3 Letters of H1B Case Number – Computer Working Day

The next three digits indicate the computer working day of the USCIS fiscal year that starts from October 1st. It indicates the computer workday does not include weekends and holidays. USCIS computers do not work on weekends and USA National holidays :-).

October 1st is when the fiscal year starts for USCIS. If your H1B was filed on October 1st, it would be 001. It is a little tricky with this number; computer workday indicates only working days and not weekends.

For example, if it is October 20th, it would be the 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 websites like TimeAndDate to compute that number.

  • For April 8th, it would be 128.

Subsequent 5 Letters of H1B Case Number – Actual Case Number

The following five digits is the actual case number and is assigned based on some internal USCIS logic. There is no guarantee that it would start with 0001 and go in sequence. Sometimes, it may start with 5; sometimes, it may be with other digits as well.

  • One sample number would be 51244

Below is a nice visual explaining the H1B Receipt Number format. It is the same as any other USCIS Receipt Number format.

USCIS Case Number Format - What they mean
USCIS Case Number Format – What they mean

How to Check the H1B Case Status on USCIS.gov?

After you receive your H1B Visa Receipt case number, all you would have to do is to track the status on USCIS website. Read How to Check H1B Petition Status on USCIS website.

Premium Processing for H1B :

If you were to file H1B visa petition under premium processing, you would have received the case number and a confirmation email that your petition was received by USCIS and it is under processing. Usually your attorney or your employer would get that information. Once your case is approved, similar email with approval status would be updated via email.  A hard copy would be emailed after the emails to the address specified in petition.

Regular Processing for H1B:

If you were to file your H1B visa petition under regular processing, you would not necessarily get an email from USCIS, rather you would get a hard copy receipt mailed to your employer or attorney.  Also, decision information would be mailed to your attorney or employer after the decision.

You can read Steps after H1B Lottery – Flow Chart to know more on the next steps

Did I miss anything?  Any other thoughts to add?

   

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Author
Satheesh Kumar Ilu
Satheesh Kumar Ilu, commonly known as Kumar, is the founder of RedBus2US.com. He is an Immigration and Study Abroad expert. He holds an MS from the University of Houston–Clear Lake and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He studied, lived, and worked in the U.S. and Singapore for nearly two decades, and has traveled to over 25 countries.

3,682 Comments

  1. I have received receipt number for my wife’s H4 visa. Does this mean my application has selected in lottery ?

    Reply
  2. ANY Advanced degree/regular process/california got receipt recently??
    we couldnt see updates for AD much..

    Good luck to all 🙂

    Reply
  3. It looks like only regular quota applications are getting receipt numbers. So should Advanced degree applicants still have some hope. I dis not see any AD guys saying that they received their receipt number in this last 2 weeks. Any light on this will be highly appreciated. My head is braking and am not performing well at work as well. been doing same task for more than 10 days.

    Reply
  4. Hello Folks,

    This morning we got to know from employer that application got picked in lottery however no receipt is available with employer. Employer informed based on en cashed check it seems. Anyway, good news to share. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Any tcsers out there who got receipt numbers. or any latest mails u received. I got a mail yesterday that my petetion has been prepared and sent to onsite team. anyone got same mail or some other mail?

    Reply
      • That’s what my lawyer said over a week ago (when application became approved) but no news as of today. If you (or your lawyer) do get a hard copy of approval from USCIS I would appreciate if you can post it under this thread. I will do the same.

        Thanks,

        Carry

        Reply
        • Finally received all paperwork from my employer. Next stop US Embassy. Good luck to all the ones anxiously waiting.

          Reply
    • still waiting… non-pp reg… my co-worker has received the receipt on 4/30, hopefully I can hear something today or tomorrow…

      Reply
    • I just got my receipt number from my company Visa cell.. EAC13-14X-XXXXX.. Maybe the company got that earlier but they provided it to me today.. I work for Tech Mahindra..

      Reply
  6. Rishi and Others

    Please let me know if your RFE is replied .
    I got information from my employer that they replied to my RFE early this week . Hoping for best . Mine is Regular PP.

    And also please share your reasons for RFE and anybody got approval for RFE.

    Reply
        • @sid: RFE –> Stopped clock –> Rfe response to uscis –> Clock started on 25th –> 30th april approved

          No rfe response state.
          Dont worry u will get it. All the best

          Reply
          • Hi,
            I have issued an RFE and my client is not going to provide any letter.
            My state shows clock stopped and still in initial review.
            Middle vendor letter is already submitted, wht other documents will be helpful do you think?

          • DP12,
            So you are in EVC model and have submitted EV contract but not copy of VC contract. Is the vendor also not ready to send a copy of their contract w/ the client?

          • VC contract, i am not sure whether vendor can disclose it. And moreover this project is gonna lsst for next 5 months only.

          • @honeb

            Worry is my status shows still as clock stopped and initial review.
            My employer responded to RFE early this week its 3 days almost.

    • Hey I just wanted to share my story-AD/PP/CSC, working in EVC Model
      Apr 1st: submitted all req docs along with my client letter.
      Apr 15th: RFE on employer-employee relationship, I strongly believe lawyers did not submit client letter as I sent it in the last week of march and they did not acknowledge that
      they received it.
      Apr 16th: Clock stopped
      Apr 25th: Replied to RFE, with the same client letter, vendor letter, included my paystubs, Timesheets, Day to Day Email conversations, My client badge
      Apr 25th: PP Clock started
      May 1st: Clock stopped and after 3-4 hrs approved
      Don’t know the years of approval yet.
      This is just to build up confidence in you guys, if everything is genuine on your part you need not worry even if you get RFE, just submit as many documents as possible God will help us. Good luck to all of you.

      Reply
  7. I gt recpit on April29th… it is regular one. Can please tel me what is the next processes?? Am i sure of getting VISA since it is been selected for processing..

    Reply
    • now your file will be going for review they will see that your documnets are ok or not and employer back ground and all and then they will approve.

      Reply
  8. Hi,

    My H1B petition was approved today.

    Receipt Generated Date: 4/15/13
    Receipt Received Date: 4/18/13
    PP Upgraded Date:4/23/13
    Acceptance: 4/24 to 4/30
    Approved: 5/1/2013

    I applied under AD/RP/VSC intially.

    Reply
  9. RQ/RP/CSC
    just got my receipt number: WAC 131445xxxx

    my coworker and other applicants who filed their h1b petitions with my lawer have got their receipts before me so I thought I wasn’t selected in the lottery…but I got mine today so I would say hang in there for the ones who haven’t received theirs!

    Reply
    • hi all
      thanx god

      i got my receipt for RQ/RP

      but
      can any one tell me how much time will it take to get it approved .

      its written processing time is 2 to 5 months, is that true ?

      others who dint get receipt yet please dont lose hope.

      Reply
      • Approval time generally is 2 to 5 months. But your petition might get approved earlier, at the same time it could also take more than 5 months. Depending upon your case, documents, employer, lawyer’s expertise with the documentation, your profile, it might be approved early, without RFE. I am also waiting for the approval though. Good luck.

        Reply
  10. Just now got a call from my employer that cheque has been encashed and will be getting the receipt number soon.
    Feeling little bit relaxed after a long wait. I am on H4-H1 RQ/RP VSC

    Reply
  11. Hi Everyone,

    My case is H4 to H1 Regular quota, premium processing, California. Still waiting, Can i still keep a hope? 🙁

    Reply
  12. We all send petition from the same employer / lawyer on same date, but some of our friends got receipt from USCIS on April 22, we filed under RC/RP/WAC. Is there any chances to get the receipt from USCIS ?? Please explain me…

    Reply
    • Don’t lose hope guys. Hang in there. I got my receipt today. It is WAC131435xxx…
      I am also H4 to H1. For all H4 people who are waiting for their receipt..
      RQ/RP/CSC

      Reply
      • RQ/RP/CSC
        just got my receipt number: WAC 131445xxxx

        my coworker and other applicants who filed their h1b petitions with my lawer have got their receipts before me so I thought I wasn’t selected in the lottery…but I got mine today so I would say hang in there for the ones who haven’t received theirs!

        Reply
  13. Hello All,

    This is for all H4 people who are waiting for their receipt..
    After a long wait, I finally got my receipt today afternoon….
    My number is EAC-13-146-XXXXX.
    Received Date – 8th April
    Notice Date – April 26th..

    I am in for RP/RQ/VSC

    This blog has been tremendously helpful through out difficult times. ..Please do not lose hope and have faith, trust and belief in GOD…

    Thank you very much to all who regularly posted and helped to boost confidence…

    Reply
  14. I just heard from my Employer that my Check is not yet cashed. What to do next? Should I have to wait until further.

    My Attorney field my case in CSC / RP/ RQ / Non-Masters.

    Reply
  15. Hi,

    My Attorney field my case in CSC / RP/ RQ / Non-Masters. I still have not heard from my employer about my Check whether cashed or not. No receipts as well.

    Is there anyone who are in my case and waiting for the check to be cashed or waiting for receipt? Should I have to wait for the check to be cashed or wait for receipt?

    Please advice as I need to plan for Plan-B

    Regards,
    Preena

    Reply
    • @Preenap, I am also in the same boat. I am not sure what the future holds but I am still eagerly waiting for my employer’s number to flash on my cell to give the good news, but looks like time is running out. What is Plan B you are talking about?

      Reply
  16. okay, i got this form I-797C

    Receipt #
    EAC-13-143-41***

    Received Date
    April 8

    Notice Date
    April 23

    does that mean i got picked?

    thanks

    Reply
      • thank you xena for the reply 🙂 but i was trying my case status on the uscis case status and it saying ( The application receipt number entered is invalid. )

        Reply
        • you should enter the receipt number without “-“. Try entering only the numbers and the letters as in EAC1143XXXXX. You have given the number as EAC13143(Four) 1XXX . The standard receipt number is supposed to have a ( Five) there. Did you check if the receipt number you are entering is correct?

          Reply
        • how did you get your notice? Make sure you are typing it correct or if your employer emailed you, mistakely they might have typed incorrect. I would say contact your employer 🙂

          Reply
  17. Hey just wondering,,,does employer send us the email or USCIS send email directly to us saying ur h1b is approved..
    because i am not sure my employer is going to inform the good or bad news till august end

    Reply
          • if u have any dependent and have applied their visa too(h4) then that receipt or update will come to ur home addrs. This I got to know from this forum and many cases had happened similarly. Keep finger crossed and pray for me too

          • Goodluck – tensed,
            That is not universally true. If the employer or attorney has made you sign an affidavit (I don’t remember the form name) making them the representative or contact person for the dependent’s petition, then it will be send to employer/attorney address and not yours.

    • Got a RFE saying they needed additional documents between my company and client. I dont know what exactly they are looking for since my stupid lawyer doesnt replies my email. Latest update is my lawyer is gathering documents.

      Reply
  18. Can someone please tell me if there is a way to tell if the application was filed under advanced quota or regular quota? The tracking number they gave to me doesn’t seem to have information about this nor the i797 notice mentions it.

    Reply
  19. Just used my case number checked that my H1B was approved. AD/RP/EAC. Really surprised that it went through so quickly. Thanks guys for all the information you shared. Good luck!

    Reply
  20. There’s about 500+ applications generated from California Center (WAC1314750001 -WAC1314750559) today. But 99% DON’T state, “On April 8…” – its different days such as 11, 10, 29th….

    Do all new H1-B went through the lottery says “On April 8…”(2014) Please verify if you’ve already got the lucky ticket… Thank you

    Reply
    • no, I have seen many different dates on the receipt numbers that ppl have been providing in this forum.

      Reply
      • I think it should be “On April 8..” only, as the lottery was conducted on Apr 7th itself. Ppl can receive their receipts on any other day by post or email. Also somebody made a calculation that if 4K-5K applications are processed daily (2 centers combined) then after 15days 65K should be completed by now.

        Reply
  21. AD/RP/CSC

    15 apr : SEVIS changed
    18 apr : receipt received
    18 apr – 23 apr : intial review
    23 apr : converted to premium
    23 apr : 15 day clock started
    24 apr – 30 apr : acceptance
    30 apr : 9.50 AM : clock stopped
    30 apr : 1.30 PM : APPROVED

    Reply
  22. My employer just told me that they received a “I-129 receipt notice” but no check cashed, no news from the lawyer, and HR unable to give me a case number. What does this mean?? (RQ/RP/CSC)

    Reply
  23. Just checked the status on receipt numbers, below is what it says:
    For me from (L1 to H1B COS) the update from USCIS is:
    On April 30, 2013, the 15-day Premium Processing clock stopped on your I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER. A notice was sent on this date explaining the specific reason for stopping the premium processing of your case.

    For my spouse (L2 to H4 COS) the update from USCIS is:
    On April 30, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I539 APPLICATION TO EXTEND OR CHANGE NONIMMIGRANT STATUS.

    Why in my case, the Clock is Stopped ?

    Reply
    • HoneB,
      It could mean approval for your petition as well. I saw another message posted by someone w/ same status and it was approved. Your attorney should receive the notification shortly.

      Reply
  24. I just got a call from from my employer that my application has been selected in lottery …

    H4 reg Q reg Processing..Vermont center..

    Application reached on 1st April

    I dont know my receipt number yet… will update as soon as I will get it

    Reply
    • Hi H4 reg Q reg Pro, do you have an idea if the check was encashed before the attorney / employer received the receipt? My employer says that his check is still not encashed and I am not sure but doubt that I have not made it through the lottery:( Any positive response will keep me going for the next few days…

      Reply
      • Hi …I will drop an email to my employer asking about the check right away will let you know as soon as they reply back

        Reply
        • Thank you H4 reg Q reg Pro. I understand that since I am a RQ/RP/VSC, I might still have some hope as there are still some receipts generated, but the only thing that worries me is that the check is still not encashed, which leads me to believe that I might be unlucky:( Need all your prayers to make it through…

          Reply
          • My employer told me that he got responses from USCIS in reverse order … as mine application reached the first day he got it today and for some whose applications reached on 5 got early last week…. then 4th and so on…. till now They got 11 out of 23

  25. Hi all. Just got the good news from my employer that I made it thru the lottery. They just got a call from the attorney. Don’t have receipt number yet. Will update u all with the number as soon as I get it.

    They r still generating receipts so keep ur hopes and pray for the best. Good luck to each n every one of you!

    Reply
  26. Guys, they are definitely still generating receipts, EAC has processed 910 petitions so far today, the last one is for H1B, received on Apr., 8th. So let’s keep hoping for the best!!!

    Reply
  27. I got my RN two weeks back and today USCIS wrote my H1B petition is approved (AD/RP/CSC). They are still processing and generating receipt numbers. So, keep your hopes high and I wish you all the best!

    Reply

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