USCIS Case Status Decoder

USCIS has accepted your application and assigned it a receipt number. Your case is now in their processing queue.

Save your receipt number (starts with IOE, EAC, WAC, LIN, or SRC). You'll use it to check status at my.uscis.gov. Await a biometrics appointment notice or further update.

USCIS posted an active-review status. The public message does not prove that an officer currently has your file open or reveal the internal stage.

No action is required from this status alone. Follow any USCIS notice and use the official processing-time and case-inquiry tools.

USCIS moved your case from one office to another. The status alone does not disclose why it moved or whether an interview will be required.

Read the transfer notice for any instructions. The receiving office will continue processing; use the official USCIS tool for the applicable form, category, and office.

Something in your case record was changed: this could be an address update, officer reassignment, or internal system note. It does not mean a decision was made.

Log into my.uscis.gov to view any new notices or correspondence. If you requested an address update, this may confirm it was processed.

A previously closed or decided case has been officially reopened for further review. This happens after a successful appeal, motion to reopen, or administrative correction.

Check my.uscis.gov for any new notices. If you filed a motion or appeal, this confirms USCIS accepted it and your case is active again.

Your case has been pending longer than USCIS's published processing time for your form type and service center.

You may now submit a case inquiry online via the USCIS Contact Center (1-800-375-5283) or submit an e-request at egov.uscis.gov. You can also contact your congressional representative's office for a status inquiry.

You are waiting for a visa number to become available. The State Department controls priority dates based on country of birth and visa category.

Check the Visa Bulletin at travel.state.gov each month to see when your priority date becomes current. No USCIS action is needed until your date is current.

Your application is undergoing additional administrative review, often a deeper background check or security clearance. This is separate from regular USCIS processing.

No action required unless USCIS requests documents. Administrative processing timelines vary widely (weeks to years). Contact your congressional representative if it exceeds 12 months.

USCIS mailed a notice to your address but it was returned because the postal service could not deliver it.

Update your address immediately at my.uscis.gov or by filing Form AR-11. Then contact USCIS to request the notice be resent. Failure to act quickly may cause delays or missed deadlines.

USCIS has scheduled you for a fingerprints and photo collection appointment at an Application Support Center (ASC).

Watch your mail for an appointment notice with the date, time, and location. Bring your appointment notice and a government-issued photo ID. Missing biometrics can delay or jeopardize your case.

Your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) have been collected and submitted to the FBI and other agencies for background checks.

Watch for the next USCIS notice. Biometrics do not establish when background checks will finish or whether an interview is next.

USCIS scheduled an interview and will send an appointment notice. Adjustment interviews are decided case by case; naturalization applicants attend an examination and interview.

An appointment notice will arrive by mail with the date, time, location, and required documents. Prepare thoroughly: review your application, gather supporting documents, and consider consulting an attorney.

Your USCIS interview took place. This status does not predict the outcome or decision date.

Follow any instructions given at the interview and watch for a written notice. If an I-485 remains pending, confirm your travel eligibility before leaving the United States.

USCIS posted that an interview is not required at this time. The case remains subject to case-specific adjudication.

Follow later notices. A waiver does not predict approval, a decision date, or prevent USCIS from later scheduling an interview.

USCIS needs additional documentation or clarification before they can decide your case. This is not a denial. It is a formal request you must respond to.

Use the exact deadline and submission instructions printed on the notice; response periods vary. Respond completely and consider legal advice if the request is complex.

USCIS has received your RFE response and it is under review. Your case is active again.

No action is required unless USCIS asks for more information. There is no universal post-response decision clock.

USCIS intends to deny your application but is giving you a chance to respond before a final decision is made.

This is serious. Use the exact deadline and submission instructions printed on the NOID; response periods and service rules vary. Consult an immigration attorney immediately and address every point in the notice.

USCIS has received your response to the Notice of Intent to Deny and is reviewing it.

No further action is required unless USCIS requests more information. A final decision will be issued.

USCIS has approved your petition or application. Your immigration benefit has been granted.

An approval notice (Form I-797) will arrive by mail. For green cards and EADs, a separate notice will follow when your card is produced. Save all approval notices permanently.

Your physical card (Green Card, EAD, or travel document) has been printed and is ready for mailing.

Watch your USCIS account and mail for shipping information. Follow USCIS's missing-document instructions if it does not arrive.

Your card has been handed off to USPS for delivery to your address on file.

Use any tracking information shown in your USCIS account and follow the official missing-mail guidance if delivery fails.

USPS has picked up your card for delivery. It is on its way to your mailing address.

Expect delivery within a few business days. If it does not arrive within 10 days, check with your local post office and then contact USCIS.

USPS was unable to deliver your card and returned it to USCIS.

Update your mailing address at my.uscis.gov immediately, then contact USCIS to request your card be re-mailed. Check that your address on file is correct.

Your Employment Authorization Document (EAD / work permit) has been printed and is being prepared for mailing.

Watch your USCIS account and mail. Employment authorization depends on the document and validity dates that apply to your category; an approval or receipt notice is not a generic substitute for the required work-authorization document.

Your Advance Parole travel document has been printed. This allows you to travel internationally while your green card application is pending.

Do not rely on the status message alone for travel. Departure while Form I-485 is pending generally abandons it without Advance Parole, subject to narrow exceptions for certain H, L, V, K-3, and K-4 nonimmigrants who meet the regulatory conditions.

USCIS or the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) has accepted your appeal for review. Your case will be reconsidered.

The appeals process can take months to years. Do not take any action that could affect your immigration status in the meantime. Consider retaining an immigration attorney if you have not already.

A motion to reopen has been filed asking USCIS to reconsider a closed case based on new facts or evidence.

USCIS will review the motion and either grant it (reopening the case) or deny it. Response times vary. Ensure you have strong new evidence to support the motion.

A motion to reconsider has been filed arguing that USCIS made a legal or procedural error in their decision.

USCIS will review the motion. Unlike a motion to reopen, this argues legal error rather than new facts. An immigration attorney should review your original denial and the motion.

USCIS has denied your application. The denial notice explains the reasons.

Read the denial notice carefully. It explains the reason, available review path, filing location, and controlling deadline. Act promptly and consult an immigration attorney; do not apply a generic appeal or motion clock.

Your case has been dismissed, typically meaning USCIS did not act on it (often in naturalization or removal proceedings contexts).

Review the dismissal notice for the specific reason and any available remedies. Consult an attorney to determine whether refiling or appealing is appropriate.

Your case has been terminated, meaning USCIS has ended processing, often due to changed circumstances, loss of eligibility, or a withdrawal.

Consult an immigration attorney. Depending on your situation, you may be able to refile or take other remedial action.

The applicant or petitioner voluntarily withdrew the application before a decision was made.

If this is unexpected, contact USCIS immediately. It may be an error. If intentional, note that filing fees are generally not refunded.

You have been scheduled for the naturalization oath ceremony, the final step to becoming a U.S. citizen.

You will receive a Form N-445 and appointment notice. Attend the ceremony, take the Oath of Allegiance, and receive your Certificate of Naturalization. You are then a U.S. citizen.

You took the Oath of Allegiance at your ceremony. You are now a U.S. citizen.

Apply for a U.S. passport immediately using your Certificate of Naturalization. Update your Social Security records. Congratulations. You're a U.S. citizen!

USCIS has approved your petition to remove the conditions from your two-year conditional green card (I-751). You now have a 10-year permanent green card.

Your 10-year Permanent Resident Card will be produced and mailed separately. Keep your I-797 approval notice as proof of your permanent resident status while you wait.

USCIS has received a response from you (to an RFE, NOID, or other notice) and is currently reviewing it.

No action is required unless USCIS requests more information. This status does not create a universal decision timeline.

A duplicate copy of a notice was identified and discarded. This is an administrative housekeeping status. It does not affect your case.

No action required. Your case is unaffected.

USCIS approved your case and also lifted any 90-day conditional limitations on your status.

Your permanent resident status is fully valid. Expect your Green Card to arrive by mail within a few weeks.

USCIS has approved your fee waiver request. You will not need to pay the filing fees for this application.

USCIS will proceed with processing your application without a fee payment. Keep the fee waiver approval notice with your application records.

USCIS is asking you to submit additional evidence that you have lived continuously in the U.S. for the required period (usually for naturalization applications).

Respond within the deadline stated in the notice. Acceptable evidence includes tax returns, bank statements, lease agreements, employment records, and school records. Consult an attorney if your residence was interrupted.

USCIS is printing a new version of your card, typically a renewal, replacement, or corrected card.

Watch your USCIS account and mail for shipping information. Keep your address current and follow USCIS instructions if delivery fails.