Akash

If your child's green card application has been approved, it means that they will soon become a permanent resident of the United States. This is good news and you should be proud! It means that the government has looked at all the information and decided that your child is eligible for a green card. During the waiting period, you may have seen different updates on the status of the case, such as "Case Was Received" or "Fingerprint and Biometric Appointment Was Scheduled." These are just updates to let you know where the process is at. When the green card is approved, you will see this status in two ways: online and in the mail. If you don't receive the green card in the mail, it could be because the address on file is incorrect. You can contact the government to fix this. Don't worry if you see other updates that sound similar, like "Card Was Determined As Undeliverable By The Post Office." These are just updates to let you know what's happening. Keep checking the status until the green card arrives. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact the government for help. If the green card is approved, you probably won't need a lawyer. But if it's denied or you don't understand the updates, you may want to talk to a lawyer for advice.

It means that within a few months, your child should be a lawful permanent resident. Congratulations! More precisely, this status means that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has completed its review of your child green card application and concluded they’re eligible for a green card.

It’s been a long year or two (or three) for your child to get a green card, and during that waiting period, you may have seen one or more of the following case status updates:

• Case Was Received: USCIS received your child’s green card application.
• Request for Initial or Additional Evidence Sent: USCIS sometimes asks for additional information to finish processing a green card application.
• Expedite Request Received: This shows up after you’ve submitted a request to expedite your case, but does not mean the request was approved.
• Fingerprint and Biometric Appointment Was Scheduled: This case status update indicates that your child’s fingerprint and biometrics appointment are set. This appointment may also be when your child’s picture gets taken for the green card.
• Case Is Ready To Be Scheduled for an Interview: Your interview for the green card will soon be scheduled by USCIS.
• Case Was Reopened for Consideration: This doesn’t appear often, but when it does, it’s likely after you appealed a USCIS denial of your green card request.

How Will I See My Case Status?

When USCIS approves your child’s green card application, you’ll see the case status in two ways. First, you can look at your USCIS account online, which is usually the quickest way to get this notification. Second, you can check your mailbox for Form I-797: Notice of Action. This is the official notice USCIS mails out after it approves the green card request.

No, it doesn’t. You will see several case statuses while waiting for USCIS to make a decision. Some of these sound similar, so they’re easy to get mixed up. “Case Approved” and “Case Received” is an example. They sound similar but have different meanings.

When USCIS says it has received your child’s green card application, it only means they have possession of your application and documents and will begin reviewing them. But if your child’s green card case is approved, it means USCIS finished processing the application and decided to issue your child a green card.

Now the last bit of waiting begins while you await the arrival of your child’s green card in the mail. Before it arrives, you will get a welcome notice within 30 days of seeing your child’s green card case approval. Then, within 30 days after that, the green card should arrive in the mail.

If your green card doesn’t arrive, there could be a problem with the mail service, but USCIS might also have an incorrect mailing address for your child. If you or your child moved during the green card application, you must update your address with USCIS. If USCIS has an incorrect mailing address, you might see some unwelcome case status notifications, such as: 

• Card Is Being Returned to USCIS by Post Office
• Card Was Determined As Undeliverable By The Post Office
• Card (or Document) Was Returned to USCIS

If you see any of these statuses, don’t panic. You can still contact USCIS to ensure it has the correct mailing address and fix the issue. This may delay your green card process a bit, but it is a fixable problem.

While waiting for USCIS to approve your child’s green card, you were probably regularly checking USCIS processing times and your case status. Though you’re close to the finish line now, don’t stop. Keep checking your case status until your green card is delivered. Here are a few statuses you may see:

• Card Was Delivered To Me By The Post Office
• Card Was Picked Up By The United States Postal Service
• Card Was Mailed To Me
• New Card Is Producing

You can use your receipt number and the USCIS online case tracker to check for these status changes. If you can’t access your account online, don’t worry. USCIS always sends important notices by mail as well. 

If USCIS has approved your case, then you probably don’t need an immigration attorney for any reason. But if USCIS has denied your child green card application or you received a case status update that you don’t understand, then you may want legal help to know what your options are.

If you’re concerned about how long your application is taking, contact the USCIS Contact Center before you hire an attorney. A USCIS representative may be able to explain why your child’s green card has been delayed.

Disclaimer:

The information presented in this article is intended for academic and marketing purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. It is essential to consult with a qualified immigration attorney or legal professional for accurate and up-to-date legal counsel specific to your individual circumstances. Laws and regulations are subject to change, and professional guidance is crucial to ensure compliance.

OpenSphere is a technology company and does not hold itself out as a law firm. It operates independently and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or any government entity.OpenSphere, its authors, and agents do not warrant the accuracy or real-world applicability of the information herein, nor are they liable for any damages arising from reliance on this information.