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Good news

“Case Was Approved”on your N-470 · Keep residence while working abroad

Your N-470 was approved.
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WHICH STEP ARE YOU ON?
Receipt notice
Review by an officer
Decision · here

What to do, in 4 steps

Watch for the approval notice (Form I-797) by mail.
Check that all details on the notice are correct.
Learn the next step for your specific form.
Keep your address current so cards or documents reach you.
—months
USCIS does not publish a single range for this form.Typical time for a complete N-470. USCIS published times. Typical ranges, never an exact date.
In this statusThe approval notice usually arrives within a few weeks; the next step's timing depends on your form.

What it means for your N-470

Your N-470 was approved. Your time working abroad for the qualifying employer will not break continuous residence for naturalization. It does not make you a citizen and does not by itself protect your green card from abandonment, so keep ties to the U.S. Later, file the N-400 and include this approval.

In general, on any form:

USCIS approved your application or petition. An approval notice is being mailed to you. What happens next depends on your form: a card may be produced, the case may go to the Department of State, or you may get a document. Keep the approval notice safe.

Avoid these mistakes

Thinking a petition approval (like I-130) is the same as a green card.
Moving before the card or document arrives without updating the address.

Quick questions

What does "Case Was Approved" mean on an N-470?

Your N-470 was approved. Your time working abroad for the qualifying employer will not break continuous residence for naturalization. It does not make you a citizen and does not by itself protect your green card from abandonment, so keep ties to the U.S. Later, file the N-400 and include this approval.

My case was approved. When will I get my card?

If your form produces a card, the status usually changes to 'New Card Is Being Produced' and then to mailed.

Does an approved I-130 mean I have a green card?

No. It approves the family relationship. The beneficiary still needs to adjust status or get an immigrant visa.

What if the approval notice has a mistake?

Contact USCIS to request a correction as soon as possible.

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Other statuses of your N-470

Document Was Mailed To MeDecisionCase Was DeniedDecisionOath Ceremony Will Be ScheduledDecisionOath Ceremony Notice Was MailedDecisionCase Was Approved And My Decision Was EmailedDecisionCase Approval Was Certified By USCISDecisionCase Was ReceivedIntakeCase Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was SentIntakeCase Rejected Because I Sent An Incorrect FeeIntake

Every status of an N-470 →

This same status on other forms

I-485Green card from inside the U.S.Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust StatusI-130Petition for a family memberPetition for Alien RelativeI-765Work permit (EAD)Application for Employment AuthorizationN-400Become a U.S. citizenApplication for NaturalizationI-131Travel permit or reentry permitApplication for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure RecordsI-751Remove conditions on 2-year green cardPetition to Remove Conditions on ResidenceI-90Renew or replace green cardApplication to Replace Permanent Resident CardI-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.