Question 1

What does the USCIS status "Approval Notice Was Sent" mean?

Accepted Answer

USCIS has mailed the paper I-797 approval notice. The status confirms the document has left USCIS and entered the postal system; it is a delivery step, not an adjudication step.

Question 2

What should I do next?

Accepted Answer

Watch your mailbox and make sure the recipient name and unit number are clearly labelled. When the notice arrives, check the validity period, classification and spelling, then scan a copy and store the original safely. If nothing arrives within two weeks, contact USCIS and request a duplicate.

Question 3

Is the approval notice trackable?

Accepted Answer

Most I-797 notices go by regular mail with no tracking number. Card shipments are more often trackable.

Question 4

My address changed after approval.

Accepted Answer

Update the address with USCIS and request re-mailing. USPS forwarding does not reliably forward immigration mail, so relying on forwarding alone often means the notice is returned to USCIS instead of reaching you.

Question 5

Does this status mean the case is finished?

Accepted Answer

For filings that do not produce a card, the mailed approval notice is effectively the end of the process. Where a card is issued, separate production, mailing and delivery statuses still follow this one.