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EXPLAINER · EVERY RULE QUOTED FROM AN OFFICIAL SOURCE · CHECKED OCTOBER 18, 2026

Receipt and approval notices (Form I-797)

What the different kinds of USCIS Form I-797 notices are, from receipt and approval notices to requests for evidence.

After an application or petition is filed, USCIS writes back on notices that all carry the form number I-797. USCIS uses several types of I-797 to communicate with applicants and petitioners, or to give them an immigration benefit.[1]

The I-797 is a notice, not an application. Nobody fills it out.[2]

The types of I-797

USCIS publishes a short chart of the versions and what each one is for.[3]

  • I-797, Notice of Action: tells the filer that an application or petition was received or approved.[4]
  • I-797A, Notice of Action: given to an applicant as a replacement Form I-94.[5]
  • I-797B, Notice of Action: the approval notice for an alien worker petition.[6]
  • I-797C, Notice of Action: used for receipts, rejections, file transfers, biometrics (fingerprint) and interview appointments, rescheduled appointments, other actions, and reopened cases.[7]
  • I-797D: comes with benefit cards.[8]
  • I-797E, Notice of Action: a request for evidence.[9]
  • I-797F, Transportation Letter: issued overseas so an applicant can travel.[10]

What a receipt notice is used for

The receipt notice carries details about the case that USCIS's own processing times tools ask for.[11][12]

One of those details is the receipt date, which USCIS's case inquiry tool asks for.[13]

For a prospective immigrant, the I-797 for the petition filed for them is also where the priority date appears. The priority date is a person's place in the visa line.[14][15]

A copy of the receipt notice is also part of some later requests. For example, premium processing for an I-140 that is already pending is requested with a copy of that I-140's I-797 receipt notice.[16]

Related notice: e-Notification

Separately from the I-797, a filer who mails a form can ask USCIS for an email or text message confirming it was accepted at a USCIS lockbox, using Form G-1145.[17]

Read more

How the receipt date feeds into USCIS's processing times is explained in How USCIS processing times work, and the date printed on the notice in Priority date.

This page explains general rules in plain English. It is not legal advice and does not tell you what applies to your case. Each numbered source below is the official page the sentence comes from; read it before relying on anything here.

Sources

  1. USCIS, Form I-797: Types and Functions. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “USCIS uses numerous types of Form I-797 to communicate with applicants/petitioners or convey an immigration benefit.”
  2. USCIS, Form I-797: Types and Functions. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “Form I-797 is NOT a form you can fill out.”
  3. USCIS, Form I-797: Types and Functions. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “The chart below gives a brief description of each”
  4. USCIS, Form I-797: Types and Functions. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “I-797, Notice of Action Issued to communicate receipt or approval of an application or petition.”
  5. USCIS, Form I-797: Types and Functions. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “I-797A, Notice of Action Issued to an applicant as a replacement Form I-94.”
  6. USCIS, Form I-797: Types and Functions. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “I-797B, Notice of Action Issued for approval of an alien worker petition.”
  7. USCIS, Form I-797: Types and Functions. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “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; additional actions, and re-opening of cases.”
  8. USCIS, Form I-797: Types and Functions. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “I-797D Accompanies benefit cards.”
  9. USCIS, Form I-797: Types and Functions. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “I-797E, Notice of Action Issued to request evidence.”
  10. USCIS, Form I-797: Types and Functions. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “I-797F, Transportation Letter Issued overseas to allow applicants to travel.”
  11. USCIS, More Information About Case Processing Times. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “You will need some specific information about your case to use the processing times webpage and case inquiry tools.”
  12. USCIS, More Information About Case Processing Times. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “This information is also found on USCIS receipt notices”
  13. USCIS, More Information About Case Processing Times. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “Using the tool, you will enter your receipt date into the text box. Your receipt date can be found on your receipt notice.”
  14. USCIS, Visa Availability and Priority Dates. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “you can find your priority date on Form I-797, Notice of Action , for the petition filed on your behalf.”
  15. USCIS, Visa Availability and Priority Dates. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “DOS uses the priority date to determine an immigrant’s place in the visa queue.”
  16. USCIS, How Do I Request Premium Processing?. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “along with a copy of the Form I-797, Receipt Notice, for your Form I-140.”
  17. USCIS, I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “If you want to receive an email and/or a text that we have accepted your form at a USCIS lockbox, complete Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance , and clip it to the first page of your form.”

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