Every common USCIS status in plain English, with what it means and what usually happens next.
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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 has your answer to the Request for Evidence and the case is back in line for review.
Next: The next update is usually the decision, though it can take a few weeks or longer.
USCIS needs more documents before it can decide. The letter lists exactly what is missing.
Next: Respond by the deadline on the notice, usually 87 days. Many people have an immigration attorney review the response.
USCIS plans to deny the case unless you send more evidence. It is serious but you can still respond.
Next: Respond by the deadline on the notice, usually 30 days. This is the moment to involve an immigration attorney.
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.
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.
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.
Your case is approved and your card is being printed.
Next: The card usually ships within 1 to 2 weeks. You will see 'Card Was Mailed To Me' with a tracking number.
Your card is in the mail. USCIS often includes a USPS tracking number.
Next: Track it with USPS. If it doesn't arrive within 30 days, contact USCIS.
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 moved your case to another office, usually to balance workload or to schedule an interview locally.
Next: A transfer is routine. Processing continues at the new office, which may have different processing times.
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 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.
Mail from USCIS, sometimes your card, came back as undeliverable.
Next: Update your address with USCIS right away. Returned cards may be destroyed after a few months.
Your online status is a short title, like 'Case Was Received', plus a sentence or two of detail. It changes when something happens to the case: a notice is mailed, an appointment is scheduled, an officer makes a decision, or the case moves to a different office.
The same title can mean slightly different things for different forms. 'Case Was Approved' on an I-485 is usually followed by card production, while on an I-130 it can mean the case is heading to the National Visa Center. Read the detail text under the title, not just the title.
Most of a case's life is spent waiting in line for an officer. USCIS only updates the status when something happens, so long stretches with no change are normal and not a sign of a problem.
Updates also arrive at unpredictable hours, often overnight, and can come in bursts: a case can sit for months and then change twice in a week. Alerts save you from checking every day.
'Case Is Being Actively Reviewed By USCIS' says that the case is in an officer's review stage. It doesn't mean a decision is imminent: many cases show it for weeks or months, and some see it more than once.
The next update after it is often an approval, an interview notice or a Request for Evidence. If you get a Request for Evidence, a Notice of Intent to Deny or a denial, consider having an immigration attorney review it, because each comes with deadlines.
USCIS accepted your filing and issued a receipt notice (Form I-797C). It's the first status every case gets. Keep the receipt number: it's how you track the case.
It's neutral. It means the case is in review, not that a decision is close. Many cases stay on it for a long time before the next update.
Approved means USCIS decided in your favor. For benefits that come with a card, like a green card or work permit, the card is printed next and the status changes to 'New Card Is Being Produced', then 'Card Was Mailed To Me'.
The deadline is printed on the notice. It's commonly 87 days from the date of the notice, but always go by the date on your letter.
Statuses sometimes appear to move backwards, for example after a transfer or when USCIS re-sends a notice. It's usually a system update rather than a problem. If it persists or looks wrong, contact USCIS.