What does “Case Was Approved” mean?
Good newsYour case was approved. USCIS has issued a positive decision on your application.
Watch for your Green Card or approval document in the mail within 2-3 weeks. Contact USCIS if you don't receive it.
After approval, physical cards (Green Card, EAD) typically arrive within 7-21 days by USPS. Approval notices (Form I-797) usually arrive within 2-4 weeks.
If you received an approval notice but your physical card hasn't arrived within 30 days, check USPS Informed Delivery to track it. If still missing after 30 days, file Form I-90 (replacement green card) or contact USCIS to report the missing card.
- 1Watch for your approval notice in the mail
- 2Update your address with USCIS if you've moved (Form AR-11)
- 3If I-485: your green card will arrive separately
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.
Most applicants wait approximately 14 days before the next update after this status. Actual times vary by service center and case type.
What this means for your form
Your OPT EAD (I-765 C03A) has been approved. USCIS will order card production next — watch for the 'We Ordered Your New Card' status update, then expect physical delivery within 7–21 days. Provide the card to your employer for I-9 purposes; do not begin working until the physical card is in hand.
Your STEM OPT extension (I-765 C03C) has been approved. Your new EAD extends your work authorization for up to 24 months from your original OPT end date. Your employer must re-verify your I-9 when the new card arrives, and you should update your Training Plan schedule with your DSO.
Your H-1B petition has been approved. Your employer will receive an I-797 approval notice specifying your authorized period of employment. If this is a cap-subject approval, check the validity dates carefully — H-1B is granted in 3-year increments (6-year cap), and you can begin or continue working under the approved terms.
Your green card application has been approved — you are now a lawful permanent resident. USCIS will order your physical green card separately; watch for 'We Ordered Your New Card'. Update your Social Security record and state driver's license to reflect your LPR status.
Your family-based I-485 has been approved — you are now a lawful permanent resident. If you received a conditional (2-year) green card because the marriage was less than 2 years old at approval, note your card's expiration date and plan to file Form I-751 during the 90-day window before it expires.
Your I-130 family petition has been approved. What happens next depends on whether the beneficiary is in the U.S. (adjustment of status path) or abroad (consular processing via NVC). For immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, a visa number is immediately available; for preference-category relatives, the priority date established by this filing determines when a visa number will be available.
Your naturalization application has been approved. The final step is your Oath of Allegiance ceremony, which is typically scheduled within 2–8 weeks at your local field office or federal court. Bring your green card to surrender it at the ceremony, where you will receive your Certificate of Naturalization.
Frequently asked questions
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