The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issues I-797 forms to inform the recipients of actions that the USCIS has taken in their cases. These actions can include approving an application for citizenship or alien worker status, confirming receipt of a fee payment, or scheduling an interview.
Notice of USCIS Action
When USCIS issues an I-797, it is typically in response to a petition it received. For example, an immigrant or foreign national may be issued an I-797 because an employer submitted a green card petition or request for a work-related visa on his behalf, or because the petitioner's request for a change in immigrant status from student to permanent resident has been approved. The I-797 notice contains a unique number starting with three letters followed by 10 digits. It identifies the person or organization that submitted the original request and includes a description of the action taken by the agency. If the recipient was approved for a visa, for example, the I-797 will include a description of the type of visa and the validity dates. An I-94 card, a record of the recipient's arrival and departure to and from the U.S., may also be included at the bottom of the I-797 notice.