Approval Notice
Also known as: I-797 Notice of Action, approval receipt
Process · EB-5 Glossary
Definition
The official USCIS document confirming that an immigration petition or application has been approved. In the EB-5 context, the I-526E approval notice is the critical milestone that confirms the investment meets program requirements and establishes the priority date.
Context
The approval notice does not by itself grant a green card. The investor must still proceed through adjustment of status or consular processing. For backlogged countries, the approval notice confirms the investor's place in the visa queue.
More Process Terms
- Advance Parole
An authorization document that permits a person to re-enter the United States after traveling abroad while an adjustment of status application is pending. Advance Parole does not guarantee admission; the holder must still be found admissible at the port of entry.
- Biometric Appointment
A scheduled appointment at a USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) where the applicant provides fingerprints, photographs, and a signature. Biometrics are required for most immigration applications, including I-485 and I-829. The biometric services fee is $85 per applicant.
- Case Status
The ability to track the progress of an immigration petition or application using the receipt number (a 13-character alphanumeric code beginning with three letters) through the USCIS online case status tool. The tool reports the current processing stage (received, initial review, request for evidence, approved, denied, etc.).
- EAD
A card issued by USCIS that authorizes a non-citizen to work in the United States. In the EB-5 context, EADs are available to investors who have filed Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status). The EAD permits employment with any employer, unlike employer-specific work visas such as H-1B.
- I-131
The USCIS form used to apply for a travel document (Advance Parole) that permits re-entry to the United States while an adjustment of status application is pending. In the EB-5 context, I-131 is typically filed concurrently with I-485 and I-765.
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