What does “Actively Being Reviewed” mean?

Informational
Direct answer

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.

What comes next

This status can last days or many months. There is typically no action required on your end. Continue waiting.

Typical timeline

Cases in 'active review' can remain in this status for anywhere from a few days to 6+ months, depending on case complexity and officer workload.

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If you're stuck on this status

If your case has shown 'Actively Being Reviewed' for more than 6 months, check your case against USCIS published processing times. If you're outside normal processing time, you may be eligible to submit an e-Request or contact your congressional representative's office for a status inquiry.

What to do now
  • 1No action needed — your case is being reviewed by an officer
  • 2Keep your address updated with USCIS
  • 3Check processing times at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times if the wait feels long
When to contact an attorney

You usually do not need an attorney for this status by itself. Consider legal help if your case is outside published processing times, you receive a confusing notice, or your facts are complicated.

Frequently asked questions

What does 'Case Is Being Actively Reviewed' actually mean?
It means your case file has been assigned to an immigration officer who is conducting their review. This is a positive step — it means your case is not sitting idle in a queue. However, the review itself can take days or months depending on complexity.
Is 'Actively Being Reviewed' better than 'Case Was Received'?
Yes — it's a step forward. 'Received' means your case is in the general queue. 'Actively Being Reviewed' means an officer is working on your specific file. However, this status doesn't tell you how close you are to a decision.
Why does USCIS show this status for so long?
USCIS handles millions of cases simultaneously. An officer may review your file, set it aside for background checks to complete, and return to it later. The 'Active Review' status reflects that the case has been touched but not yet decided.
Should I contact USCIS while my case is being reviewed?
Only if you're outside the published processing time for your case type. Calling before then is unlikely to speed things up and may only confirm what you already know. You can check processing times at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times.
Can my case status go backwards from 'Actively Being Reviewed'?
Technically yes — if your case is transferred to another service center, the status may update to reflect the transfer. This is routine and doesn't mean anything negative happened to your case.

Related status messages

Case Was Received →Fingerprints Were Taken →Case Is Ready To Be Scheduled →
Official and related resources
Check your official USCIS case status →Check USCIS processing times →Compare timelines by USCIS form →Browse the USCIS status glossary →

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Related
Use the interactive decoder →See current USCIS processing times →Status: Request For Additional Evidence→Status: Case Was Transferred→Status: Card Was Mailed→What Every USCIS Case Status Actually Means (2026 Guide)→USCIS Processing Times 2026: Every Form, Every Service Center→

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.