Status Reference

USCIS Status Glossary — Plain English Guide

Every USCIS case status message explained in plain English — what it means, what happens next, how long it may last, and exactly what to do.

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Good news

Statuses that indicate positive progress — approvals, scheduled interviews, and issued documents.

Interview Was Scheduled

USCIS scheduled your interview at a local field office. Check your mail for the official notice with the date, time, and location.

Interview Was Completed

Your interview is done. The officer is now reviewing your case and will make a decision.

Case Was Approved

Congratulations — your case was APPROVED! Your card or approval notice is being mailed to you.

Card Was Mailed

Your physical card (Green Card, EAD, etc.) has been mailed or delivered. Check your mailbox!

Employment Authorization Document

Your Employment Authorization Document (EAD / work permit) was approved. You're authorized to work in the U.S.

Your Advance Parole travel document was approved. You can now travel internationally while your green card case is pending.

Case Was Reopened

USCIS has reopened your case, either because you filed a motion to reopen or because they initiated it. Your case is active again.

Priority Date Is Current

Your priority date is now current in the visa bulletin. This means a green card number is available for your category and USCIS can process your case to completion.

Congratulations — your naturalization interview was successful and you've been scheduled for your Oath of Allegiance ceremony. This is the final step to becoming a U.S. citizen.

Travel Document Was Produced

Your Advance Parole travel document has been produced and will be mailed to you shortly.

Interview Waiver

USCIS has waived your interview requirement. Your case will be decided based on your written application and supporting documents alone.

Case Is Ready To Be Scheduled

USCIS has completed background processing and your case is in the queue to be scheduled for an interview. This is a positive sign — an interview notice will follow.

Expedite Request Was Approved

USCIS approved your expedite request. Your case has been prioritized for faster processing ahead of similarly-aged non-expedited cases.

We Ordered Your New Card

USCIS approved your case and ordered production of your green card, EAD, or travel document. The card is being manufactured and will be mailed to you.

Card Was Picked Up By The Usps

USCIS handed your card to USPS for delivery. The card is in the mail system and on its way to your address on file.

Fees Were Waived

USCIS approved your fee waiver request (Form I-912). You will not need to pay the filing fee for this application.

Informational

Routine processing updates. No action required — your case is moving through the system.

Case Was Received

USCIS got your application and assigned it a receipt number. Your case is in the queue.

Fingerprints Were Taken

USCIS took your fingerprints and photos. This is a routine step — it does NOT mean approval or denial is imminent.

Actively Being Reviewed

An officer has your file and is working on it. This sounds vague because it is — it just means your case hasn't been forgotten.

Case Was Transferred

Your case was moved to a different USCIS office. This is routine and doesn't hurt your case — different offices handle different stages.

Notice Was Mailed

USCIS sent you an official Notice of Action. This is often your receipt, approval, or case update notice.

Case Was Continued

Your interview happened, but the officer did not make a decision during the interview itself. Your case was continued for further review.

Your case has been put on hold temporarily. This is typically due to an internal USCIS process or a background check.

Additional Review

Your case is undergoing additional background or security checks. This is a routine step for some applicants and does not mean your case has a problem.

Response To Request For Evidence Was Received

USCIS has received your response to their Request for Evidence. Your case is back in the review queue.

USCIS is processing your N-400 naturalization application to become a U.S. citizen.

Your I-751 petition to remove conditions on your green card is being processed. This is required if you received a conditional (2-year) green card through marriage.

Notice Explaining Uscis Actions

USCIS has sent you a notice explaining an action they took on your case. This could be about a transfer, a hold, or an administrative action.

Your case is in the early stage of processing. USCIS is doing the initial checks before assigning it to an officer.

Case Was Sent To Department Of State

Your petition was approved by USCIS and sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) or a U.S. consulate abroad for the next stage of consular processing.

Expedite Request Was Received

USCIS received your expedite request and is reviewing whether your case qualifies for faster processing.

Withdrawal Acknowledged

USCIS confirmed that your request to withdraw your application has been accepted. Your case is now closed and no further action will be taken.

Attention needed

Something to watch carefully. May require action soon or monitoring more frequently.

Biometrics Expired

Your biometrics (fingerprints) on file have expired and USCIS needs to take them again. This is routine — it happens if your case has been pending for 15+ months.

Conditional Green Card

You've received a conditional (2-year) green card. This is common for applicants married to U.S. citizens for less than 2 years at the time of approval.

Outside Normal Processing Time

Your case has taken longer than USCIS's published processing time for your case type. You may be eligible to submit a case inquiry.

Expedite Request Was Denied

USCIS reviewed your expedite request and determined your case does not qualify for faster processing. Your case will continue in the normal queue.

Appeal Was Filed

An appeal of a USCIS decision has been filed with the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) or the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). The appeal is now under review.

Motion To Reopen Was Filed

A motion to reopen or reconsider a USCIS decision has been filed. USCIS will review the motion and either reopen the case or issue a decision on the motion.

Case Is Taking Longer Than Expected

USCIS has flagged that your case is taking longer to process than they initially expected. This may mean additional review, background check holds, or queue backlogs.

Action required

These statuses require prompt action — often with strict deadlines. Read the notice immediately.

Request For Additional Evidence

USCIS needs more documents or information from you. This is NOT a denial — it's a request for more proof.

Case Was Denied

Your case was denied. You should receive a written decision explaining why.

Notice Was Returned

USCIS tried to mail you something but it came back undeliverable. They don't have your correct address.

Notice Of Intent To Deny

USCIS is considering denying your case and is giving you a chance to respond before they make a final decision. This is serious but not a denial yet.

Case Was Withdrawn

Your case has been closed. This could be because you withdrew the application or USCIS administratively closed it.

Card Was Returned

Your physical card was mailed but came back to USCIS as undeliverable. Your card is waiting at USCIS.

Case Was Rejected Because It Was Not Properly Filed

USCIS rejected your application before processing it. A rejection is different from a denial — it means there was a filing error that prevented USCIS from accepting the application.

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Learn more

→Quick USCIS status glossary →What to do after an RFE →USCIS form timeline guides →Check current USCIS processing times →Common questions about USCIS cases

GreenLight is an independent tool and is NOT affiliated with USCIS, DHS, or any U.S. government agency. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Always verify at my.uscis.gov.