Everything You Need to Know About Filing USCIS Form I-824, Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition

Losing an approval notice form from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may provoke some panic. But with Form I-824, there is no need to panic.

USCIS has made it possible to request action on an application that was already approved; in other words, if you lost or misplaced a USCIS approval notice form, there is a way to request a duplicate document.

What Is Form I-824?

Form I-824 is called the Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition. According to USCIS, the official purpose of the document is to request “additional action” on immigration forms USCIS has already approved.

Form I-824 Purposes

1. The main purpose of the Application for Action I-824 form is to request documents USCIS has previously approved. You should file Form I-824 when the approval notice has been:
   1. Lost
   2. Stolen
   3. Mutilated

In those instances, the form’s purpose is for a duplicate document. For example, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB), this form can be use used to request your approved Form I-192, Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant, specifically for CPB.

2. Use Form I-824 to let the correct agencies know that you have completed the process of naturalization and are now a U.S. citizen. USCIS can send the document they approved to the National Visa Center. USCIS can also notify the Department of State.
3. Use Form I-824 to let the correct agencies know you have officially adjusted your status and are a lawful permanent resident (LPR) of the United States. USCIS can notify the National Visa Center about your adjustment.
   1. With this reason, you can also request for your spouse or child to join you in the United States.

4. Use Form I-824 to let the correct agencies know that your nonimmigrant visa petition has been approved. USCIS will notify:
   1. A new U.S. Consulate, different from the originally requested consulate
   2. The National Visa Center

5. In addition to letting the U.S. consulate know about your nonimmigrant visa approval, USCIS will send the appropriate notification about a new port of entry.

What Form I-824 Is Not

Form I-824 should only be used for the sole purpose of requesting a duplicate of an approved notice. Do not use the form to request a form that was denied, revoked, or expired. Form I-824 is only for approved applications/petitions.

Some people have also tried to use Form I-824 to get updates on their pending application status. This form cannot and should not be used for that purpose. If you are curious about your pending immigration/nonimmigration case status, you can check your case status online with your receipt number.

There are many forms that are involved in the immigration process. Form I-824 may be a bit confusing as to when it is applicable to request additional action. Speak with your immigration attorney before filing Form I-824 to make sure you are submitting the appropriate request.

Bringing Your Family to the United States With Form I-824

Form I-824 can also be used to help bring immediate family members to the United States. This is only applicable for eligible immigrants who have received LPR status with the following types of visas:

1. Employment-based visa
2. Family-preference visa
3. Green card lottery visa
4. K visa
5. V visa

If eligible, the person with LPR status can apply on behalf of a family member(s). The only family members an LPR can apply for are:

• Spouses whose marriage took place before LPR status was given
• Children who are unmarried and under 21-years-old; like the marriage qualification, the child must be born before LPR status was granted

Check with your immigration attorney about using Form I-824 to bring your family with you to the United States. There are alternative ways of bringing your immediate family to the U.S., so if you are not eligible, we can help you look for alternative methods of family reunification.

Form I-824 Address Changes

When you fill out your form I-824, you need to include your address because CBP will send the information you request to the address listed on the form.

If you change your address, you must let CBP and USCIS know.

If you are filing Form I-824 with CBP, you can send a letter or email that includes your old and updated addresses. For the purpose of an address change, you can contact CBP at:

• Physical address:
  • S. Customs and Border Protection
  • Admissibility Review Office
  • 7799 Leesburg Pike, 6th Floor
  • Falls Church, VA 20598-1234
• Email address:
  • inquiry.waiver@cbp.dhs.gov

It’s extremely important to update your address. If you do not, then you will receive notice of your I-824 being denied.

Form I-824 Instructions

There are seven parts to Form I-824, Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition. The document itself is seven pages long. Here is a step-by-step guide to filling out your application.

At the very top of the form, USCIS has reserved space for USCIS use only.

Part 1

The first section is information about you. You will include:

• Whether you were an applicant or a petitioner
• Your last, first, and middle name
• Your company/organization, if applicable
• Your current immigration status
• Certificate of naturalization or citizenship number, if applicable
• A-Number
• Date of birth
• Country of birth
• Country where you have citizenship
• IRS tax number, if applicable
• S. social security number
• USCIS online account number
• Mailing address

If any of the sections do not apply to you, put “N/A” in the box instead of leaving it blank.

Part 2

Part 2 is titled “Reason for Request.” In this section, you tell USCIS why you are submitting a Form I-824 by checking a box. If you change a port of entry or U.S. Consulate, you will need to fill out which new U.S. consulate or port of entry you wish USCIS to notify.

For further detail, here are your options:

1. A request for a duplicate USCIS notice of action
2. A request for USCIS to let a new U.S. Consulate know about your nonimmigrant visa approval or new port of entry request
3. A request for USCIS to let a U.S. Consulate know about an adjustment of status to permanent resident along with a request for immediate family members to join you
4. A request for USCIS to send an approved immigrant visa petition to the National Visa Center
5. A request that the U.S. Department of State becomes aware of your naturalization proceedings to become a U.S. citizen

Part 3

Part 3 is where you can provide information about anyone who was the beneficiary on the previous form other than you. You will also provide information about your dependents in this section. This is applicable to those who are requesting family members to join them, also known as follow-to-join benefits.

Like in Part 1, you will fill out the information about the dependent’s name, date of birth, country of birth, and country of citizenship. You will also include their relationship to you. Remember, the beneficiary does not fill out this form, only you do on their behalf.

Part 4

Part 4 is for your:

Statement

• Contact information
• Declaration
• Certification
• Signature

Before completing this section, read the USCIS I-824 penalties section. Then fill out the rest of Part 4. In this section, you will need to:

• State that you can read and understand English or that you had a named interpreter read the questions to you and answer them on your behalf
• Provide your phone number and email address
• Sign and date the form

Part 5

If you need an interpreter, Part 5 is where you provide your interpreter’s contact information and signature.

Part 6

If you used a preparer for your form, Part 6 is where you provide their information and signature.

Part 7

If there is any more information that you need to include on your Form I-824, you will write it out in Part 7.

Form I-824 Additional Evidence

The evidence you submit will vary depending on the purpose of your Form I-824 request. Some additional evidence may include:

• Form I-797, Notice of Action Letter, if you can
• Form N-550, Certificate of Naturalization
• Passports
• Marriage certificate
• Birth certificate(s)
• Previous Form I-485

Speak with your immigration attorney to make sure that you have all the necessary documents to send in with your application. It’s important that all documents you send in are copies of original documents and not the originals themselves. USCIS or CBP may request originals, but never submit original documents with the primary application.

Form I-824 Processing Time

Processing time is at least 90 days from when you submit your Form I-824. However, the I-824 processing time may take up to six months or more.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) provides contact information if you have questions about your application status. If and when you reach out to CBP, include your full name, date of birth, and your A-Number, if applicable:

• For updates, email inquiry.waiver@cbp.dhs.gov
• For an attorney inquiry, your attorney or representative may contact waiver.aro@cbp.dhs.gov

Form I-824 Filing Fee

The Form I-824 filing fee is $465. This applies for both USCIS and CBP.

Where to Send Form I-824

There are five different locations you may send your Form I-824 application to depending on whether you’re filing to USCIS or CPB, and where your original application/petition was approved.

USCIS

If you are submitting your I-824 filing fee to USCIS, you can submit your form to a USCIS direct filing address location. These addresses may vary depending on where your original form you are requesting was approved.

For example, if you had an application/petition approved at a local USCIS office, then your USCIS I-824 filing location will be different than if you had your application/petition approved at a USCIS service center.

Check with your immigration attorney before filing your petition to make sure you are sending your USCIS I-824 form to the correct place.

CBP

There are various locations to send your Form I-824 if you are filing with CBP.

You can mail your application to the CBP Admissibility Review Office:

CBP Admissibility Review Office

22685 Holiday Park Drive, Suite 10

Sterling, VA 20598-1234

You also have the option of submitting your Form I-824 at either a CBP-designated port of entry or a preclearance office. Form I-824 designated ports of entry locations can be found on the CBP website.

If you submit your form to a port of entry or preclearance office, you can do so in person.

Contact an Experienced Immigration Attorney

The immigration and naturalization lawyers at Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. are here to help with all of your immigration questions. We will be by your side through your entire process of coming to the United States. If you have any inquiries about the USCIS I-824 form, reach out today.

We have over 70 years of combined experience and can help you with anything from nonimmigrant waivers of inadmissibility to completing your naturalization process.

Contact us by calling 312.444.1940 or by filling out an online form today. We look forward to hearing from you!