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How to Check Your H1B Visa Status Online
March 2, 2022
5 mins
graphic illustration of a laptop displaying the approval of visa application

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A visa is your ticket into any country other than your homeland. If you want to visit the US, you need a US visa. Everyone who applies for their US visa is curious to know their H1B status. As an applicant, you will have many questions like: "How can I check the status petition?" "What does the status actually mean?" "Should I check the H1B approval status online or call the Embassy?"

Our article intends to provide all the answers to your queries regarding the checking of your H1B status. So let's delve right into the details.

H1B Visa Status: A Brief Introduction

An H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that permits any foreign employee to work in the USA. All foreign graduates with a bachelor's degree or higher academic qualifications can work in a specific field related to their academic qualifications. H1B visas may be obtained through the USCIS or United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. All H1B visa petitions are accepted every year on April 1st.

The USCIS analyses every single H1-B visa application and rejects those that have issues like fee payment, inaccurate information, and fraud suspicion. Valid H1B visas are selected through a random process called the H1B lottery system to select a lucky few applicants among the thousand others. However, irrespective of whether they are selected or not, the USCIS updates all applicants about their H1B status.

Doing an H1B status check is a high priority for all applicants. You might be curious about the status of your stamp on your passport, even if the visa officer told you it had been approved. You'd still like to know your visa status even if your passport was returned and you were given a slip about the administrative processing.

Let us look at the various process for checking H1B visa status.

Ways to Check Your H1B Application Status

USCIS's website is the best place to check H1B status. USCIS will provide you with a receipt number or case number.. You can use these numbers in H1B Visa Status Tracking System.

Please note that you will have to provide a 13-digit receipt number. This should begin with the letters EAC, VSC, WAC, and NSC. These three letters indicate the department handling your visa applications. There are different statuses for a petition, such as:

  • Approved
  • Received
  • Decision notice emailed
  • Request for evidence

Understanding these statuses will help you determine the appropriate action to take.

1. Check H1B status with passport number

To check the H1B application status using your passport number, you will have to implement the following steps:

  • Visit the United States' official visa website.
  • Find the visa application status tracking option.
  • Enter the passport number and your date of birth.
  • Enter the given "Captcha" code and enter "Submit."

Please note that your H1B application status is sent to your mobile number and the email address provided in the application form.

2. Check H1b status online

To help you check your H1B status, the US Department of State's Consular Electric Application Centre (CEAC) has a website https://ceac.state.gov/ceac/. CEAC is a section of the US Department of State. This center is responsible for creating DS-160 and DS-260 applications.

Once you have logged on to CEAC's website, you need to click on the Check My Visa Application status. There are two different links given for Nonimmigrant and Immigrant statuses. You must use the appropriate link to the US visa that you have applied for. Here are the two links:

Check Non-Immigrant US Visa Status – CEAC website
Check Immigrant US Visa Status – CEAC website

Once you have used the link to enter the right page, you must enter the following information:

  • Location: Select your location of your visa interview in the dropdown section
  • Application ID: The ID is given on the Visa Appointment Confirmation letter
  • Case Number: This number is given by the US Consulate for 221g or administrative processing. The case number's format is 2020118 145 1001. Notice there are two spaces in this number. You should enter this number correctly with the spaces. If not, you will receive a message that says, "Your search did not return any data."

Once you have correctly entered a case number, you should enter the Captcha code. Your H1B visa status will now be displayed as any of the messages:

  • Administrative processing
  • Refused
  • Issued

Each status has a different meaning. It is imperative to understand what your H1B status online means.

Also Read : The Complete H1B Document Checklist

Interpreting Your H1B Status Online

What does it mean if your status is "Administrative Processing"?

Administrative processing means that you have to wait because your visa is still being processed. Your visa might remain for a long while in this status if a 221g was issued. However, your administrative processing should be resolved within 60 days of your visa interview.

Point to note: The status "Administrative Processing" has been replaced by "Refused" since March 3rd, 2020. If the consular officer informs you that your case is being processed administratively, it should remain refused until such processing is completed. When the processing is completed, you will be sent another adjudication.

What does the H1B status "Refused" mean?

The "Refused" status means that the consular officer has denied your visa because you could not prove your eligibility. Your consular officer can deny your visa under 214b. They may also have other reasons to deny your H1B visa. Whatever the reason, your consular officer will give you a slip of paper that indicates why your visa was denied. If you've received the "Refused" status, you can log on to usvisas.state.gov to find useful information on ineligibility and waivers.

What does the H1B status "Issued" mean?

An H1B Issued status means that your visa processing is close to being completed. You will receive it within a week or ten days. If not, please contact the consulate for assistance.

Contact TechFetch H1B for the right assistance.

TechFetch H1B has years of experience with the US H1B visa processes. Kindly reach out to our team to avail their expertise and receive your H1B visa on time.

**Disclaimer: All information regarding the H1B visa is subject to change. Kindly refer to USCIS' official website for the latest updates regarding H1B visa processing and status check.**

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