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I-797 Notice of Action (US)

A family of notices USCIS mails about a case (receipt, approval, appointment). NOT a form you fill out. Most common: I-797C (receipt) and I-797 (approval) for H-1B/H-4/L/O petitions.

Do it on the official site

USCIS mails I-797 notices automatically; track at egov.uscis.gov (Case Status Online) or your USCIS account

Fees

Receiving notices: no separate fee. e-Request: free. Form I-824 (duplicate action): has a fee — verify feecalculator

Processing time

Receipt notices typically arrive within a few weeks; wait ~72 hrs after a receipt before checking online

How long it lasts

Not standalone — a receipt's status/document extension runs for the stated period (e.g. 36/48 months)

What to know first

  • An I-797C receipt only proves USCIS RECEIVED your filing — not an approval.
  • Some receipt notices extend a document/status (I-90 receipt +36 mo; I-751 +48 mo).
  • The receipt number (IOE/MSC/LIN/EAC…) is what you use to track the case online.
  • On an I-797A the attached I-94 date — not the petition 'valid until' — governs your presence.

How to do it

  1. 1You don't apply — USCIS mails it when it receives/schedules/decides your case.
  2. 2Check status: enter the receipt number at egov.uscis.gov; set account notifications.
  3. 3Get a copy / replace: view in your USCIS online account; file an e-Request for non-delivery; request a duplicate approval (sometimes Form I-824).

What you need to bring

  • To track: receipt number and/or USCIS account
  • Duplicate/replacement: case info; Form I-824 if requesting action on an approved petition

In person

Online — egov.uscis.gov (Case Status / e-Request) + your USCIS account; USCIS Contact Center for help

Questions people ask

Is an I-797C receipt the same as approval?
No — it only confirms receipt.
Where's my receipt number?
On the I-797C; use it at Case Status Online.
Lost my notice?
View it in your USCIS account or file an e-Request.

Documents that travel with it

Sources

  • uscis.gov/forms/all-forms/form-i-797c-notice-of-action; egov.uscis.gov (accessed 2026-06-26)