Which app is best for USCIS case status?

What is the app for U.S. immigration?

You will answer CBP inspection questions electronically in the MPC app on your mobile device. You can submit your travel details from your mode of transport or upon arrival at a port of entry (for example, on the plane or at the airport).

How to get free immigration advice?

You can get free immigration advice from nonprofit organizations, government-listed pro bono providers, and legal aid clinics by using online directories like ImmigrationLawHelp.org or the DOJ's website, searching for local community groups like Catholic Charities, or using services like ABA Free Legal Answers for virtual consultations, always verifying representatives are accredited. 

How can I speed up my USCIS case status?

If you have a USCIS online account and have access to secure messaging, you may select “expedite” as the reason for your inquiry and submit your request there. You generally need to justify your expedite request with evidence. When communicating with the Contact Center, you will be asked about supporting documentation.

How long does I-130 take to get approved in 2025?

I-130 processing times for 2025 vary significantly but generally range from around 14-17 months for immediate relatives (spouse, minor children, parents of U.S. Citizens) to over 30 months (2.5+ years) for some preference categories and longer for non-immediate relatives, with the actual time depending heavily on the petitioner's status (Citizen vs. LPR), the specific relationship, the service center, and visa availability. U.S. citizens filing for spouses often see times around 14.5-17 months, while green card holders filing for spouses/children (F2A) can expect ~35 months, and non-immediate relatives face potential multi-year waits due to visa backlogs. 

How do I know if USCIS is reviewing my case?

You know USCIS is reviewing your case primarily through their Case Status Online tool using your receipt number, which updates to show statuses like "Actively Reviewed" when an officer accesses your file, or by receiving physical/electronic notices (like RFEs, interview notices, or final decisions). Creating a USCIS online account also provides electronic notifications, and you can check processing times and submit inquiries if your case is outside normal ranges. 

Which Gov app is most useful?

Top 10 Must-Have Government Apps

• NASA App. Learn about current NASA missions, with an exciting interface full of images and videos. ...
• USA Jobs. Searching for a Federal job is at your fingertips with the USA Jobs app. ...
• White House. ...
• Find Your Embassy. ...
• My TSA. ...
• Alternative Fuel Locator. ...
• USA.gov. ...
• Veterans Affairs.

Can USCIS Emma help with my immigration case?

Whether it's renewing a Green Card or applying for naturalization, Emma can outline the steps, sparing you from drowning in a sea of paperwork.

Is it worth using the MPC app?

Yes, the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app is generally worth it for international travelers entering the U.S. because it's free, easy to use, and often provides significantly shorter customs lines than the standard queues, saving time, especially if you don't have Global Entry. It's a great alternative for infrequent travelers who find Global Entry's fee and approval process excessive, allowing immediate expedited entry at participating airports. 

How do I choose the right case tracker?

Choosing the Right Case Tracker Software

Look for things like template libraries, automated workflows, or integrations with specialized tools. Firm Size: Solutions range from those designed for solo practitioners to robust enterprise-level platforms. Choose one that scales with your growth and caseload complexity.

Is USCIS case status online reliable?

Always use official USCIS tools and verify your receipt number before making enquiries. For most applicants, the online Case Status tool or myUSCIS account provides the fastest and most reliable way to track case progress without relying on third-party sources.

At what time does USCIS update case status?

The USCIS online case status is typically updated once every 24 hours, usually between 3:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Can I-130 be approved in 3 months?

It's highly unlikely an I-130 petition gets approved in just 3 months, as current typical processing times for immediate relatives (spouse, parent, unmarried child under 21) of U.S. citizens average around 14-18 months, and even longer for other family preference categories, though some very fast or concurrent filings (I-130 & I-485) can be quicker. While some lucky cases or specific circumstances might see approvals in a few months (like under 4 months), it's very rare, with most seeing waits of a year or more.
 

Is USCIS moving faster in 2025?

In 2025, USCIS processing times are mixed, with some forms like Naturalization (N-400) seeing faster processing, while others, particularly Adjustment of Status (I-485) for green cards, are experiencing significant backlogs and longer waits, though receipt notices for new forms are faster, and premium processing remains an option for some employment-based cases. Overall, it's a dynamic period with improvements in some areas but continued challenges, especially for complex family-based and adjustment cases. 

Why is my USCIS case still processing?

Your USCIS case is still processing due to a combination of huge backlogs from COVID-19, understaffing, policy changes, complex filings, and increased application volume, leading to lengthy waits even after a "actively reviewed" status; sometimes this status is just a placeholder, and delays can be months or years as files are moved, reviewed, or require extra documentation or security checks. 

Can I call USCIS to speed up my case?

Yes, you can call the USCIS Contact Center or use Ask Emma to request expedited processing for your immigration case, but you must have strong supporting evidence for one of the specific urgent reasons (like severe medical emergencies or death in the family) and the decision is at USCIS's sole discretion. Be prepared with your receipt number and case details; you'll likely need to submit documentation to prove the urgency, often via a secure message in your online account or fax, after the initial contact. 

Why does USCIS say your case is taking longer than expected?

Many factors may affect how long it takes USCIS to complete an application, petition or request, such as the number of applications, petitions, or requests we receive, workload and staffing allocations, the time a benefit requestor takes responding to a request for more information, as well as policy and operational ...

Is USCIS faster now?

Yes, USCIS is showing improvements and faster processing for some cases, like Form N-400 (Naturalization) with median times significantly reduced, and some employment-based Adjustment of Status (AOS) cases are moving quicker due to backlog reduction efforts, though overall times vary greatly by form, category, and location, with large backlogs persisting for others. 

Can a lawyer speed up immigration?

While an immigration lawyer can help you prepare and file your application, they cannot directly influence the processing time of your petition. This means they cannot: Eliminate the backlogs in processing due to high volume or limited resources. Bypass the necessary government procedures required to process a claim.

What not to say at immigration?

“I've been denied a visa before.” “I'm still figuring out my immigration status.” “I don't have proof of medical examinations or vaccination proof.” “I don't know how to comply with visa conditions during my stay.”

What is the app that helps with immigration?

The CBP Home mobile application is FREE to use and available to everyone who has access to a mobile device. You can download the app from the Apple App and Google Play stores.