Form I-797, Notice of Action, is the official document U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) uses to communicate with applicants and petitioners after a filing. If you recently received a Form I-797 in the mail, it doesn't always mean the same thing. USCIS issues several versions of Form I-797, and the specific type you received determines what — if anything — you need to do next.
Understanding the Form I-797 family of notices helps you stay ahead of your case. Some versions confirm that USCIS received your filing. Others communicate an approval, request additional evidence, or schedule an appointment. This guide breaks down every type of Form I-797 so you know exactly what yours means.
The Form I-797 Family of Notices
USCIS assigns a form number to nearly every document it sends. Form I-797 is the official designation for its notices of action, a family of documents identified by a letter suffix. The base Form I-797 is the approval notice. The variants I-797A through I-797F each serve a different purpose.
The table below gives you a quick reference for each type.
| Form | Common Name | What It Communicates |
|---|---|---|
| I-797 | Approval Notice | Your petition or application was approved |
| I-797A | I-94 Replacement Notice | Status change or extension approved; new I-94 included |
| I-797B | Worker Petition Approval | Nonimmigrant worker petition approved; no I-94 included |
| I-797C | Receipt Notice | USCIS received your application or petition |
| I-797D | Benefit Card Cover | Accompanies a green card or employment authorization card |
| I-797E | Request for Evidence (RFE) | USCIS needs more documents before deciding |
| I-797F | Transportation Letter | Permits certain permanent residents outside the U.S. to return |
Form I-797C — The Receipt Notice
The Form I-797C is the notice most people receive first. USCIS issues it as a receipt notice after accepting a filed application or petition. It is not an approval. It confirms that USCIS received your filing, accepted your payment, and opened your case.
Your I-797C receipt notice contains a USCIS receipt number — a unique identifier you can use to monitor your USCIS case status online. Keep this notice in a safe place throughout your case.
USCIS also uses Form I-797C for several other types of administrative communication:
- Rejection notice — USCIS did not accept your filing because of missing information, incorrect data, or improper payment.
- Transfer notice — Your case has been moved to a different USCIS service center to improve processing efficiency.
- Reopening notice — A previously denied case has been reopened for processing.
- Appointment notice — You have a scheduled biometrics appointment or interview.
Read every Form I-797C carefully. Failure to respond to required instructions can delay your case.
Form I-797 — The Approval Notice
The base Form I-797 — without a letter suffix — is the approval notice. USCIS issues it when it approves a petition or application. This is the document many applicants are waiting for.
The Form I-797 approval notice serves as official evidence of an immigration benefit. You may need it to apply for a visa, demonstrate eligibility at a consular interview, or support a future immigration filing. Keep it with your other important documents in a secure location.
For example, when USCIS approves a family petition, it mails a Form I-797 approval notice confirming that the relationship claim was accepted. That notice can be a critical part of your immigration record going forward.
Form I-797E — Request for Evidence
Form I-797E is more commonly known as a Request for Evidence, or RFE. Receiving one is not a denial. It means USCIS reviewed your filing and needs additional documentation before it can reach a decision.
The I-797E will specify exactly what evidence USCIS requires and the deadline by which you must respond. Missing that deadline can result in a denial based on the record as submitted. Read the notice carefully, gather the requested documents, and respond before the deadline.
RFEs are especially common in complex cases. If you receive an RFE, review the request against your original filing to understand what may have been incomplete.
Form I-797A — I-94 Replacement Notice
USCIS issues Form I-797A when it approves an extension of stay or a change of nonimmigrant status. The notice includes a replacement Form I-94 arrival/departure record at the bottom.
The I-94 portion of the I-797A documents your authorized period of stay. You may continue to remain in the United States through the date listed on that I-94. Treat the I-797A as an important status document and keep it with your immigration records.
Form I-797B — Worker Petition Approval Without an I-94
USCIS issues Form I-797B to approve nonimmigrant worker petitions, such as an H-1B petition. Unlike Form I-797A, the I-797B does not include an I-94.
USCIS sends Form I-797B to petitioners for applicants both inside and outside the United States. If the beneficiary is currently abroad, they must visit a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country to obtain a visa stamp before traveling to the U.S.
Form I-797D — Benefit Card Cover Letter
Form I-797D is the cover letter USCIS includes when it mails a benefit card to you. If you are expecting a permanent resident card or an employment authorization document, it will arrive in an envelope that also contains a Form I-797D.
The I-797D has no independent legal significance. Its purpose is simply to accompany the card in the mail.
Form I-797F — Transportation Letter
Form I-797F is a transportation letter issued overseas to allow certain permanent residents to return to the United States. USCIS typically issues it to lawful permanent residents whose green card was lost, stolen, or damaged while abroad.
Permanent residents who have been outside the United States for less than one year may apply for a transportation letter by filing Form I-131A, Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation).
How to Get a Replacement Form I-797
If your Form I-797 never arrived or was misplaced, you have several options for obtaining a replacement. Act as soon as you realize the notice is missing. Some methods require that the original I-797 still be within its validity dates, so do not wait.
Use Your USCIS Online Account
If you have a USCIS online account number linked to your case, USCIS may have posted the notice as a downloadable PDF. This is the fastest option. It is only available if your account was created before USCIS issued the notice.
Submit a Case Inquiry
You can submit a case inquiry through the USCIS self-service tool at egov.uscis.gov. Select "Did not receive notice by mail" and follow the prompts. USCIS typically takes up to 30 days to respond. In many cases, USCIS will direct you to file Form I-824.
File Form I-824
Form I-824, Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition, is the most reliable method for replacing an approval notice. It requires a filing fee and carries a processing time of several months. You must file while the validity dates on the original I-797 are still current. Once the notice has expired, this option is no longer available.
File a FOIA Request
As a last resort, you may request records through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. There is no filing fee, but the process is time-intensive. USCIS may not have a copy of the I-797 approval notice in its files, but it likely has your original petition with an approval stamp. In many situations, that stamped copy will satisfy the requirement for proof of an immigration benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions About I-797 Notices
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