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What Is the I-797 Notice of Action?

Posted on October 3, 2018 in

When submitting a request or application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you will likely receive a copy of Form I-797 at some point. This form is a request for a specific type of information, depending on the variation of I-797 you receive.

While it’s not possible to fill out Form I-797, this Notice of Action can still provide critical information about your case. You should read it carefully to understand if the USCIS requires any further action on your part. Misunderstanding the information may lead to complications later.

I-797, Notice of Action

The common name for the base form of I-797 is an approval notice. This form serves as both confirmation of your petition or application’s approval and as evidence supporting it. You should keep base I-797, Notice of Application in a safe location with your other important documents.

I-797A, Notice of Action

For those who are in the U.S. and have a Form I-94 arrival/departure record, you may change your residency address before the departure date listed on Form I-94 has passed. When this happens, the USCIS will issue Form I-797A to serve as approval of the address change. Form I-797A cannot change the departure date listed on Form I-94.

Form I-797B, Notice of Action

The USCIS issues Form I-797B to applicants for alien worker petitions. These forms serve as approval of the petition. You can receive I-797B if you currently reside in the United States or if you are still applying from your home country. In the latter case, you will need to complete visa stamping to enter the U.S.

Form I-797C, Notice of Action

Form I-797C can have multiple purposes, including:

  • Receipt notice
  • Rejection notice
  • Transfer notice
  • Re-open cases
  • Appointment notice

If you receive Form I-797C, it is important that you read the information carefully. In the case of a rejection or appointment notice, you will need to take additional action to complete or appeal your application or petition. Failure to do so can result in further delays and denials.

This form will also contain a receipt number, which you can use to check on the status of your case through the USCIS’s My Case Status tracker.

No matter what type of Form I-797C you receive, it does not grant any immigration benefit or status.

Form I-797D

If you receive a permanent resident or employment authorization card, then you will also receive Form I-797D. This form contains the relevant information explaining your benefit cards.

Form I-797E, Notice of Action

Another term for Form I-797E is a Request for Evidence. If you have submitted a petition or application, then you may need to produce further evidence for support. The USCIS uses Form I-797E to inform you of the evidence necessary and relevant deadlines for submission.

It’s critical that you submit the correct type of evidence within the listed time frame. If not, you may delay your case or even receive a denial. Submitting evidence is your responsibility.

Form I-797F, Transportation Letter

Form I-797F serves as a way for applicants to legally travel to and enter the United States. Most often, people who receive Form I-797F are lawful permanent residents who need to enter the country after their green card has been lost, stolen, or damaged. You may apply for this transportation letter by filling out Form I-131A so long as you have not been out of the country for more than a year. For more information contact a Houston immigration attorney today.

While there are many variations of Form I-797, they all contain important information on your application status or next steps. You should always read this form carefully. If it requests an action from you or contains information about application denial, you should act quickly and contact a Houston defense lawyer to avoid any unnecessary delay on your case.