Want to know the moment your OPT card ships or your H-1B petition moves to “Approved”? You don’t need a paid tracker or mobile app—USCIS offers two built-in, free alert systems:
- myUSCIS online account – unlimited receipt numbers, push e-mails, optional SMS. USCIS
- Form G-1145 (E-Notification) – one-time acceptance email/SMS for paper filings. USCIS
Below is the 10-minute setup, status-code decoder, and a copy-paste FAQ schema to boost your rich-result odds.
1 | Why set up alerts?
| Benefit | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Immediate receipts | Know your receipt number days before the paper I-797C arrives. |
| Real-time moves | Get pinged at each milestone—“Fingerprint Review Completed”, “Card Was Mailed”. |
| Delivery tracking | myUSCIS now pushes the USPS tracking link when USCIS prints a card or notice. USCIS |
| Central dashboard | Consolidate OPT, STEM, H-1B, I-539 and I-131 in one place. |
2 | Option A – myUSCIS account (best for all filers)
Set-up (5 minutes)
- Create an account: visit myaccount.uscis.gov → “Sign Up”. Enter e-mail, choose password, verify with one-time PIN (email, text or authenticator app). USCIS
- Add a case: Dashboard → “Add a case” → paste the 13-character receipt number (e.g., YSC2190123456).
- Turn on notifications: Account → Settings → check Email and Text for “Case updates”. USCIS
Tip: You can save unlimited receipt numbers, even for cases an attorney filed.
3 | Option B – Form G-1145 (paper filers)
- Download G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance. USCIS
- Clip it on top of each paper form before you mail to the lockbox.
- You’ll get one SMS and one e-mail the moment USCIS accepts your package—typically 24-48 hours after delivery.
4 | Status-code cheat-sheet
| Code you’ll see | What it means | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| “Case Was Received” | USCIS created the file and cashed fees. | None—save the receipt. |
| “Fingerprint Review Completed” | Biometrics cleared FBI. | Watch for approval/RFE. |
| “Request for Evidence Sent” | More proof needed. | myUSCIS shows RFE PDF. |
| “Card Was Produced” | EAD/Green Card printed. | Track USPS link in e-mail. |
| “Case Approved” | Petition granted (no card). | Wait for I-797 approval notice. |
Full glossary: Case-Status Online help page. USCIS
5 | Troubleshooting alerts
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| Not getting texts | Check phone carrier blocks; re-enable SMS in Settings. |
| Receipt not found | Double-check prefix (YSC / LIN / IOE) and digits; if paper-filed, wait 7 days. |
| Multiple cases, one e-mail | Create separate “Beneficiary” tab inside account for each case. |
| Case disappeared | Site bug—log out/in or clear cache; USCIS rarely deletes cases. |
USCIS Contact Center if problems persist. USCIS
Frequently asked questions
Does adding a case online give USCIS “extra” info?
No. The receipt number simply pulls read-only status from the same system used by phone agents.
Will alerts continue after approval?
Yes—myUSCIS pushes card-production and USPS tracking numbers so you know when to check the mailbox.
Can my lawyer share their account?
Attorneys use a separate Representatives Portal. You should create your own personal account for visibility.
Is Form G-1145 enough for all updates?
No. G-1145 only notifies you of initial acceptance; you won’t get later milestones without a myUSCIS account.
References (curated by usaadmission.com)
- USCIS – “How to Create a USCIS Online Account” (Step 15: Manage your case). USCIS
- USCIS – Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (rev. 12/15/23). USCIS
- USCIS – “How to Track Delivery of Your Notice or Secure Identity Document” (updates include automatic USPS tracking). USCIS
- USCIS – “Checking Your Case Status Online” (status descriptions). USCIS
- USCIS – Contact Us page (lists self-service tools, account tips). USCIS
All references point to official USCIS.gov pages for reliable guidance.