If your application or petition was approved but you lost the approval notice or never received the original notice of approval, you can request a duplicate (I-797).
For example, if Form I-130, a petition to bring a relative to live in the United States, was approved but you lost the original notice, you may request a duplicate notice of approval.
Also, many times, an approved petition for a visitor visa extension is lost, and it is now required to apply for a visitor visa again if the person stayed beyond the original I-94 date stamp during the previous visit.
In order to receive a duplicate approval notice, you must file Form I-824 while the original application or petition is still in effect.
Please note that the duplicate notice will contain only the information listed on the original Form I-797, Notice of Action. A replacement employment card, Form I-94, or any other USCIS authorization document will not accompany the duplicate approval notice.
You may not file this form to request a duplicate notice for an application or petition that is pending or that has been denied, nor a duplicate approval notice naming a spouse or children accompanying or following-to-join the principal beneficiary on an approved immigration petition.
Documents
- Form I-824, Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition
- Check Box A in the application as the reason for filing Form I-824, as this form is used for several other purposes.
- An application fee must be sent with the application.
There is no biometric fee.
Fee details - Evidence
Attach copies that show the front and back of the following documents, if available:- A copy of the original petition or application.
- A copy of Form I-797, Notice of Action, for the original petition or application.
Do not send original documents unless instructed to do so.
- A copy of the original petition or application.
Application
You must file Form I-824, along with the required documents, at the USCIS office that approved your original application or petition. This could be at either a USCIS Service Center or local USCIS office.
