Difference between EAC, WAC, LIN, SRC Receipt Number – H-1B Visa

What are the first 3 letters (EAC, WAC, LIN, SRC) of H-1B receipt numbers mean?

Question 1: I have applied for my H-1B visa this March through a consultant. But when I asked them on June 2, 2008, they told me that still a few more days are required to publish the results. Is this true or can I know the real status of my application now? Please advise on this.

It’s my understanding, too, that the USCIS will need a few more days, maybe 1-2 weeks to send out the H-1B visa application receipt numbers. It’s not possible to trace your application unless you have the H-1B visa receipt number.

Question 2: What’s the real receipt number format? I received a number from my employer, starting with ‘WAC’ and then a 10 digit number. But most people refer the receipt number as the ‘EAC’ number, and I’ve seen a print screen of a success case from USCIS showed ‘EACxxxxxxxxxx’. I then started to wonder if I got the receipt number incorrectly…I’ve been checking my status with ‘WACxxxxxxxxxx’ and my case has been ‘Received and Pending’; however, if I changed to ‘EACxxxxxxxxxx’, the same 10 digit number, it shows ‘Approval Notice Sent’. I’m totally confused.

Difference between EAC, WAC, LIN, SRC

The first 3 letters of receipt number represent one of the 4 areas or jurisdiction in the U.S. where the application is being processed. They are called as Service Centers.

The USCIS has several service centers that process H-1B Visa applications, but all of them fall under the 4 areas. Most H-1B applications are processed in California and Vermont Service centers as these cover the largest areas.

  • EAC – H-1B petitions processed at the Vermont Service Center
  • WAC – Petitions processed at the California Service Center
  • LIN – Petitions processed at the Nebraska Service Center
  • SRC – Petitions processed at the Texas Service Center

Pranav Asks

My consultancy said that my named check is cleared by the USCIS but still today i am not getting Official Letter. He said me to wait for it. Is this right way?

  • Yes, he’s right. You will have to wait ’till you get the receipt number. It’s the case with many H-1B visa applicants.

 

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26 Comments

  1. I didn’t received WAC no. so it mean that i didn’t got selected in lottery?
    How long i have to wait for WAC?

  2. Hi,

    I got my receipt no on 26th April 2012. The status of my case is still showing ‘initial review’. Website shows timeline of 2 months for approvals at WAC.

    How much time it normally take to get decision?

    Thanx – Jyotiee

    1. My petition was filed on May24 and petition no. started with ‘WAC’. Its also still in ‘Initial Review’ status.
      For my friends whose petiton no. strat with’EAC’ status chaged to ‘RFE'(Required For Evidence)

  3. Hi,

    I work for an MNC in India, my Employer had initiated my H1. And received confirmation from them saying my Application was filed before the Cap reached. However, they were not ready to share the Petion #. Its been 20 days of waiting and waiting for an update.

    Could any of you tell me, what is the process, along with the Duration in each step post filing of Application in a bit detail?

    regards,
    V

    1. I will provide the details of my H1B processing time;

      VISA Initialted – MAR 29 2012
      Initiation Approved – APR 02
      Documents Sent To USA – MAY 4
      LCS Posted – MAY 10
      Petition Filed Date – MAY 23
      Mailed From Company with Petition No – JUNE 19
      Now… My Petition status – ‘Initial Review’
      note; I heard from my friends petition no. start with ‘wac’ will get delay to process.

  4. 1)What is the difference between petition number and receipt number.
    2) After submission of my documents how many days will it take to uscis to count them under the cap?
    3) will the petition be counted on petition number generation or receipt number generation, when is the respective generated after petition sent to USCIS?

    1. Answers:
      1. Both Petition number and Receipt number are same. It’s just different way of representing it. Some people even call it Case number.
      2. Am sorry, the question is not so clear. If my guess is right, you are asking how long will they take to accept your petition. If so, the answer is, if your petition reaches with in the cap then your case has already been accepted and you should get the Receipt or Petition number in a week time. From there, the duration of the process depends on how you filed the petition, like in ‘Regular’ or ‘Premium’. For Premium it will take anywhere between 2 to 8 weeks for you to get the approval notice. If it was in regular, you must be god’s kid for you to get it sooner.
      3. I hope you got the answer for this question from the above two.

      If you still have concern let me know.

    2. Answers:
      1. Both Petition number and Receipt number are same. It’s just different way of representing it. Some people even call it Case number.

    3. 2. Am sorry, the question is not so clear. If my guess is right, you are asking how long will they take to accept your petition. If so, the answer is, if your petition reaches with in the cap then your case has already been accepted and you should get the Receipt or Petition number in a week time. From there, the duration of the process depends on how you filed the petition, like in ‘Regular’ or ‘Premium’. For Premium it will take anywhere between 2 to 8 weeks for you to get the approval notice. If it was in regular, you must be god’s kid for you to get it sooner.

    4. 3. I hope you got the answer for this question from the above two.

      If you still have concern let me know.

  5. Hi all,

    I have applied for H1b at 1st april, 2011. But today is 27th May 2011.
    Still i dont get my case file no. like EAC No. Can anyone tell me how much time it will take? I am bit worried because of these delay.

    Thanks in advance,
    Krupa

    1. If you filed your case in Premium, your case process should be over by now. In that case, follow up with your attorney. If it’s in Regular I recommend you to wait for some more time. Hopefully by now you got it.

  6. respected sir

    my doubt is my eac number came but the they are say still processing you files. and withdrawal all details in your mail

  7. Hi, My name is Rochelle Potter. My Husband name is Dwight Prentice.

    I am filing for my husband.I Have sent an I-130 petition form along with a money order since July 0f 2007. I have not heard or received anything. I sent the form on my own without the help of a lawyer. The information was to be sent back to me. Can you please help me in finding a way to receive my receipt form. I would like to find out his status and whatever happened to the form and money order I sent off.

  8. I’ve got I-797, Notice of action form saying that my application has been approved and gave me receipt No. WAC-xxxxxxxxxx and asking me to wait untill receiveng correspondence.

    and now passed more than 10 days without any further information !What I have to do ? and what is the normal time range I gave to receive a letter within ?

    thanks alot for your information

  9. Hi,

    I filed my visa in April 2008 and my consultant did not give me any of these numbers: EAC, WAC, etc.

    How can I be sure if he actually filed my visa or not. In july he just informed me that my application was rejected.

    Is their any way i can found out if he filed a visa for m or not. I feel cheated. Please help !!!

  10. Hello,

    I had filed for H1B this year. I hadn't heard from my consultant and though that my case was rejected. After couple of mails when I was not able to get reply I called them up to ask for my refund status and at that time they told that I have got EAC number and my status was "Case REceived but Pending". I asked them to mail me the scanned copy of the receipt but they told they can't and when I asked them to atleast send me the official mail stating this they haven't done it yet after couple of reminders and phone calls. When I questioned them about why haven't I got the mail from their side I was told they as they are processing 200 candidates they would have missed me out. What if they will tell me that "Sorry as we are processing 200 candidates there was mistake in EAC number and that your case is rejected." I am not getting satisfactory reply from my consultant. Do I stand a chance of getting through ? Till how much time should I be waiting ? My consultant's are "Optima Resources".

  11. i had already fiiled a application for h1b in june-2006. but my sponser told me your application was rejected. so i want to know any of the process is there or not to know that my application is done or not.

  12. The lawyers have told us check has not been cashed and paperwork not been returned so they think we have been unsuccesful.
    🙁

  13. I got receipt number, when I try to find its status it states "Case is received and pending." What does it mean ?

    1. I've got I-797, Notice of action form saying that my application has been approved and gave me receipt No. WAC-xxxxxxxxxx and asking me to wait untill receiveng correspondence.

      and now passed more than 10 days without any further information !What I have to do ? and what is the normal time range I gave to receive a letter within ?

      thanks alot for your information

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