What is Form I-797 approval notice?
Mia Phillips
Updated on March 31, 2026
I-797B, Notice of Action. Issued for approval of an alien worker petition. I-797C, Notice of Action. Issued to communicate receipt or rejection of an applications or petitions; transfer of files; fingerprint biometric, interview and re-scheduled appointments; and re-opening of cases.
What is an I-797 form used for?
Form I-797, Notice of Action, is issued as a result of an application or a petition submitted to the USCIS. Foreign nationals might have Form I-797 as a result of a request to change from one non-immigrant classification to another, or because a petition has been filed on their behalf by an employer or other entity.
What does an approved I-797 mean?
The I-797A is an approval for the address change and is evidence of the applicant’s lawful presence in the United States. An applicant can continue their stay in the U.S. through the specified date listed on the I-94 that is located at the bottom portion of Form I-797A.
How do I track my i-797 form?
To check your I-797 status, navigate to the USCIS’s case status page and enter your 13-digit receipt number. Make sure you omit any dashes but include all other characters, including asterisks, if it forms part of your receipt number.
What happens after I-797 is approved?
I-797, Notice of Action USCIS issues this once they reviewed the case and then determine its approval. Depending on the petition type, it either means you will receive your green card soon, or USCIS has forwarded your case to the next agency to move your application or petition forward.
Can I travel with I-797 approval notice?
You cannot use the Form I-797 alone as your only form of identification for air travel. However, it can be used as a secondary form of identification in addition to other forms of valid identification. The Form I-797 is not considered by the U.S. government to be a travel document.
How long does it take to get i-797 after approval?
two to three weeks
How Long Does it Take to Get an I-797. You should receive an I-797 usually two to three weeks after submitting your application. Remember that the I-797 is often just a notice from USCIS that they received your application and nothing more. However, it’s still important to save.
How long does it take to get i-797 approval notice in the mail?
USCIS mails the paper Approval Notice (I-797) to your employer and attorney. Typically, it takes 1-3 weeks. Attorney will send the Approval Notice (I-797) to you as you might need it for a future consulate visa process. Begin your new status.
What is the purpose of Form I-797?
Form Number. Description. I-797, Notice of Action. Issued to communicate receipt or approval of an application or petition. I-797A, Notice of Action. Issued to an applicant as a replacement Form I-94. I-797B, Notice of Action. Issued for approval of an alien worker petition. I-797C, Notice of Action.
Where do I put my I-797 form in my safe?
If you have a safe, put any I-797 you receive in there next to your family jewels, passport, and that baseball card collection. This I-797 guide will help you maneuver through the different types of this form.
Do you get Form I-94 with i-797b?
Applicants with I-797B do not receive Form I-94. If an applicant is residing outside the U.S. at the time of the notice, she must receive a visa stamping from a U.S. embassy or consulate before traveling to the U.S. Notice of Action is issued to communicate an update on the applicant’s case.
What does it mean when you get an i797a?
This typically means that your application is approved.I797A, which is a notice of action of your application to extend your status (I797A), similar to I797B.The I797 A and B looks basically the same except A would have an I94 attached to it.