Follow an affirmative asylum application with USCIS and the work permit that goes with it.
Use the receipt number from the I-797 notice for your I-589 or your asylum-based I-765. Free, no sign-up.
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USCIS updates cases at random hours and the letter takes a week to arrive. We check your case every few hours and message you the moment it moves.
USCIS accepted your filing and sent a receipt notice (Form I-797C).
Next: Keep the receipt number. Biometrics, if needed, usually come next within a few weeks.
USCIS needs your fingerprints and photo. An appointment notice is on its way or already arrived.
Next: Go to the Application Support Center on the date shown. Bring the notice and a photo ID.
Your biometrics appointment is done. USCIS has recorded that your fingerprints, photo and signature were taken.
Next: USCIS uses them for background and security checks. The case then waits for an officer; the next update is often an interview notice, a Request for Evidence or a decision.
Your interview is booked. The notice in the mail has the date, time and office.
Next: Prepare your original documents and arrive early. Approvals often follow within weeks of the interview.
You had your interview, but the officer didn't make a final decision at the end of it. The case needs more review first.
Next: Many cases are decided within weeks, some take longer, for example while checks finish or a supervisor reviews the file. If the officer asked for more documents, send them by the date you were given.
An officer is working on your case. It's a normal step, not a sign of a problem.
Next: This status can last weeks or months. The next update is often an approval, an interview or a Request for Evidence.
USCIS approved your case. The approval notice is in the mail.
Next: If a card comes with this benefit, expect a 'Card Is Being Produced' and 'Card Was Mailed' update next.
USCIS denied the application or petition. The notice explains why.
Next: Depending on the case you may be able to appeal, file a motion or refile. Talk to an immigration attorney quickly; deadlines are short.
Affirmative asylum is filed with USCIS on Form I-589 and decided by an asylum officer after an interview. That's the case you can track here with a USCIS receipt number.
Defensive asylum is asked for in immigration court during removal proceedings. Those cases are run by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), not USCIS, and have their own case status system using your A-number.
Asylum applicants can apply for a work permit (Form I-765) after a waiting period set by the rules. It gets its own receipt number and status, so track it separately from the I-589.
After biometrics, an asylum office schedules your interview. Some offices schedule recent filings first, so older cases can wait a long time. Keep your address up to date with USCIS so you don't miss the notice.
For affirmative asylum filed with USCIS, enter the receipt number from your I-589 receipt notice above. For a case in immigration court, use EOIR's case status tools with your A-number.
Yes. The I-765 has its own receipt number. CaseTracker Personal follows up to 10 cases, so you can track the I-589 and the work permit together.
Asylum offices have large backlogs and decide their own scheduling order. A long wait isn't a sign of a problem with your case. Talk to an attorney if you need to ask for an earlier interview.
No. We track your USCIS status and explain what it means. For your case itself, talk to an immigration attorney or an accredited representative.
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