After filing an application for an immigration benefit, such as green card renewal or U.S. citizenship, the USCIS will send you notices in the mail to let you know your next steps or how your case is progressing.
These notices are known as Form I-797, Notice of Action. And there are different types of Form I-797 and each type has a specific use. The type of notice you receive will depend on your situation and the status of your application with the USCIS.
Types of Form I-797
On the right-hand corner of the notice, you can see the type of Form I-797 you have received. Here are the different types of Form I-797 that you can get and their uses.
- Form I-797, Notice of Action
- This notice is sent to notify you that your application has been approved.
- Form I-797A, Notice of Action
- This notice is sent to give you information on your Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. It includes your date of admission into the U.S., class of admission into the U.S. and the length of your authorized stay in the U.S.
- Form I-797B, Notice of Action
- This notice is sent to notify you that your Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker application has been approved.
- Form I-797C, Notice of Action
- This notice is a common notice. It has various uses. It may be sent to you to notify you that:
- Your payment has been received.
- Your application has been rejected.
- Your file has been transferred to another entity.
- You are required to attend an appointment (for example, fingerprints or an interview) OR
- Your case has been reopened.
- This notice is a common notice. It has various uses. It may be sent to you to notify you that:
- Form I-797D
- This notice is sent to you along with certain types of benefit cards.
- Form I-797E, Notice of Action
- This notice is sent to you to request evidence missing from your application or further evidence needed to make a decision on your case.
- Form I-797F, Transportation Letter
- This notice is sent overseas to notify you that you are allowed to travel to the U.S.
Importance of Form I-797
Form I-797 is simply a notification. Although it’s important, and you should make copies of any Form I-797 you may receive, the Form I-797 will not grant you an immigration benefit on its own. It’s basically a letter that the USCIS sends to you with information about your immigration application and the benefit you have already requested.
