Form I-797

Notice of Action

Official notice issued by USCIS to communicate actions taken on an immigration petition or application, including receipts, approvals, and requests for evidence.

Filing Fee

N/A

Processing Time

Issued by USCIS at various stages of case processing

Who Files

N/A - This form is issued by USCIS, not filed by applicants.

What is Form I-797?

Form I-797 is not a form that applicants file. It is a notice issued by USCIS to communicate the status of a petition or application. There are several types: I-797 (Approval Notice), I-797A (Approval Notice with I-94 attached), I-797B (Receipt Notice for consular processing), I-797C (Receipt/Transfer/Rejection Notice), and I-797E (Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny).

Key Points

I-797A includes a tear-off I-94 that serves as proof of status for certain visa holders

I-797C (receipt notice) confirms USCIS has received your application and provides a receipt number for tracking

Receipt numbers can be used to check case status online at uscis.gov

Keep all I-797 notices as they serve as proof of filing and status

Frequently Asked Questions

QWhat are the different types of I-797?

I-797 is the standard approval notice. I-797A includes an I-94 arrival/departure record at the bottom. I-797B is used when the case requires consular processing. I-797C is the receipt notice confirming USCIS received the filing. I-797E is a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID).

QIs the I-797 proof of immigration status?

The I-797 approval notice serves as evidence of an approved petition but is not by itself proof of immigration status. The I-797A with attached I-94 can serve as proof of status for certain nonimmigrant categories. Always keep the original I-797 in a safe place.

QWhat should I do if I receive an I-797E (Request for Evidence)?

Respond promptly and thoroughly. An RFE gives you a specific deadline (usually 30 to 87 days) to provide additional evidence. Failure to respond by the deadline will result in a decision based on the existing record, which often means denial. Consult an immigration attorney if you are unsure how to respond.

Practical Tips

Save all I-797 notices in both physical and digital formats; they are critical documents for future filings

Use the 13-character receipt number on the I-797C to track your case status at uscis.gov/case-status

If you receive an RFE (I-797E), respond before the deadline and include all requested evidence to avoid denial

Related Forms

Form I-129

Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker

Filed by U.S. employers to petition for a foreign worker to come to or remain in the U.S. temporarily in a nonimmigrant worker classification.

Form I-140

Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers

Filed by U.S. employers to petition for a foreign worker to become a lawful permanent resident based on an employment-based immigrant visa category.

Form I-485

Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

Filed by individuals already in the U.S. to adjust their status to permanent resident (Green Card).

Form I-130

Petition for Alien Relative

Filed by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to establish a relationship with an eligible relative who wishes to immigrate.

Related Visa Types

H-1B Visa

H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa

Work visa for professionals in specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree or higher.

L-1 Visa

L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa

Visa for employees transferring from a foreign office to a U.S. office of the same company.

O-1 Visa

O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa

Visa for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in their field.

Green Card

U.S. Permanent Resident Card

Permanent residency in the United States, granting the right to live and work permanently.

Need help with Form I-797?

Our team can guide you through the entire process, from document preparation to filing and follow-up.

Schedule a Free Consultation