"Case Was Approved And My Decision Was Emailed" on your I-526: what it means and what's next

WHICH STEP ARE YOU ON?

Receipt notice

Review of investment and source of funds

Request for evidence (if needed)

Decision · here

What to do, in 4 steps

Download and save the approval notice.

Check that all details are correct.

Learn the next step for your form, like card production.

Keep your mailing address current for cards or documents.

41months

36 to 41 monthsTypical time for a complete I-526. USCIS published times. Typical ranges, never an exact date.

In this statusThe next step after approval depends on your form; card production often follows within weeks.

What it means for your I-526

Your I-526 approval was delivered electronically. Download the notice. It is the key document for the next step: consular processing through the National Visa Center if you are abroad, or an I-485 if you are in the U.S. and a visa is available.

In general, on any form:

USCIS approved your case and sent the decision notice by email. This usually happens when you filed online or have a USCIS online account. The notice is also in your account. What comes next depends on your form.

Avoid these mistakes

Missing the email in spam.

Not saving the notice outside the online account.

Quick questions

What does "Case Was Approved And My Decision Was Emailed" mean on an I-526?

Where is my approval notice?

In your email and your USCIS online account.

Will I also get a paper notice?

Sometimes. The online copy is valid for your records.

When will I get my card?

If your form produces a card, watch for 'New Card Is Being Produced' and then a mailing update.

How long does an I-526 take?

The typical range published by USCIS is 36 to 41 months. It depends on the office and your case; it is not an exact date.

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Other statuses of your I-526

Case Was ApprovedDecision Case Was DeniedDecision Case Approval Was Certified By USCISDecision Case Was Sent To The Department of StateDecision Case Was ReceivedIntake Case Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was SentIntake Case Rejected Because I Sent An Incorrect FeeIntake Case Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was EmailedIntake Case Accepted By The USCIS LockboxIntake

Every status of an I-526 →

This same status on other forms

I-485Green card from inside the U.S.Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status I-130Petition for a family memberPetition for Alien Relative I-765Work permit (EAD)Application for Employment Authorization N-400Become a U.S. citizenApplication for Naturalization I-131Travel permit or reentry permitApplication for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records I-751Remove conditions on 2-year green cardPetition to Remove Conditions on Residence I-90Renew or replace green cardApplication to Replace Permanent Resident Card I-129FK-1 fiancé(e) visa petitionPetition for Alien Fiancé(e)I-140Employment-based green card petitionImmigrant Petition for Alien Workers

AI-assisted explanation based on the official USCIS status, reviewed by CaseAlerta. Not legal advice. Times are typical ranges, never an exact date.

“Case Was Approved And My Decision Was Emailed”on your I-526 · EB-5 direct investor petition