Form I-824, Explained

Q: When Form I-824 Should Not Be Filed

As noted above, Form I-824 is only used to receive an update or information request for an already approved application. Form I-824 should not be filed for the following purposes:To initially apply for a visa or immigration benefit;To request information on a decision or application that is no longer valid;To request information on a pending application;To request information on a denied application.

What is Form I-824?

Form I-824, “Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition,” is a form used to request various actions related to approved applications or petitions filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Form I-824 is not used to initially apply for an immigration benefit, but rather to request actions related to applications or petitions that have already been approved.

In this guide, we’ll cover the details of Form I-824, including processing time, the cost for filing, and when to utilize the form to receive necessary updates on your approved application.

Tips

Afghan applicants who have applied for a Special Immigrant visa are not required to pay the filing fee if Part 2, Item 1.c. is checked on Form I-824: “USCIS to notify a U.S. Consulate through the NVC about my adjustment of status to permanent resident in the United States.”

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Reasons to File Form I-824

Form I-824 is generally used to request a copy of a previous decision or application approval by USCIS. According to USCIS guidelines, applicants can file Form I-824 for the following purposes:

Request Information from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): If you have been approved to enter the U.S., but have lost or damaged your approval notice, you can file Form I-824 to request a copy of various CBP-related petitions, including Form I-192 (Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant), Form I-212 (Application for Readmission after Deportation or Removal), and Form I-185 (Canadian border crossing card), which is no longer in use.
Request a Duplicate Notice of Action: If you received a Form I-797 Notice of Action from USCIS, but the form was lost, damaged, or stolen, you can file Form I-824 to request a new copy.
Notify a U.S. Embassy or Consulate Regarding a USCIS Decision: You can file Form I-824 to alert a U.S. Embassy or consulate that you have been approved entry to the U.S. or you have received permanent resident status. In certain scenarios, this can help alert a U.S. Embassy or consulate that an applicant’s dependents are now eligible to apply for immigrant visas.
Notify the National Visa Center (NVC) Regarding a USCIS Decision: You can file Form I-824 to notify the National Visa Center (NVC) of certain USCIS decisions that may impact your immigration status.
Notify the U.S. Department of State Regarding Naturalization Status: You can file Form I-824 to request that USCIS notifies the State Department that you have become a U.S. citizen through naturalization.

When Form I-824 Should Not Be Filed

As noted above, Form I-824 is only used to receive an update or information request for an already approved application. Form I-824 should not be filed for the following purposes:

To initially apply for a visa or immigration benefit;
To request information on a decision or application that is no longer valid;
To request information on a pending application;
To request information on a denied application.

Form I-824 Cost

The current fee to file Form I-824 is $590, and it must be paid directly to USCIS at the time of filing.

Form I-824 Timeline

The processing time for Form I-824 varies depending on where the petition is filed and the application category you’re requesting an update for. Form I-824 is typically filed at any one of the USCIS Service Centers or the National Benefits Center, depending on your specific application.

You can check the current processing times for Form I-824 per specific service center here.