What "Applicant for an Immigrant Visa" Means

You are an applicant for an immigrant visa if you have filed Form I-485 (process to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) or Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa process) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the U.S. State Department, and your case is still being reviewed. This status means you have formally started the process to become a permanent resident but have not yet received your green card or visa approval.

The term "applicant" describes your position in the system at a specific moment. Once USCIS or the State Department approves your case and you receive your immigrant visa or green card, you move from applicant status to approved immigrant. If your case is denied, you are no longer an applicant.

Your status as an applicant affects what you can and cannot do while waiting—including work authorization, travel outside the U.S., and access to certain benefits. Understanding where you stand in the process helps you know what documents to prepare next and what to expect from USCIS or the State Department.

Key Takeaways

  • You are an applicant for an immigrant visa from the moment you submit Form I-485 or Form DS-260 until USCIS or the State Department makes a final decision on your case.
  • Applicant status is different from approved status—once your visa or green card is granted, you are no longer an applicant.
  • Your applicant status determines whether you can work in the U.S., travel outside the country, and what documents you need to carry.
  • USCIS and the State Department track applicant cases by receipt number, which appears on your notice of receipt (Form I-797).
  • If you are unsure whether you have filed the required forms, you can check your case status online using your receipt number or by contacting USCIS directly.

How to Know If You Have Filed the Required Forms

The clearest way to confirm you are an applicant is to look for official paperwork from USCIS or the State Department. If you submitted Form I-485 through USCIS (adjustment of status), you will receive a Form I-797 Notice of Receipt within two to three weeks. This notice includes your receipt number (starting with EAC, WAC, LIN, or SRC) and confirms that USCIS has received your process.

If you are explore through the State Department's Consular Processing route using Form DS-260, you will receive a case number and interview appointment notice from the U.S. embassy or consulate handling your case. This notice will tell you when and where to appear for your immigrant visa interview.

If you have not received any notice from either agency, you may not yet be an applicant. Check with the person or organization who helped you file—an immigration attorney, a family member, or your employer—to confirm whether your forms were actually submitted and when.

Checking Your Case Status Online

USCIS allows you to track your case status on its website using your receipt number. Go to the USCIS Case Status Online tool, enter your receipt number, and the system will show you the current stage of your process. The status will tell you whether your case is pending, approved, denied, or ready for pickup.

For cases handled through the State Department, you cannot check status online in the same way. Instead, contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country of residence. They can tell you the current status of your DS-260 process and when your interview is scheduled. You will need your case number and passport information to inquire.

If you have lost your receipt number or case number, USCIS and the State Department can look up your case using your name, date of birth, and passport number. Contact USCIS by phone at 1-800-375-5283 or visit a local USCIS office in person with your passport and any documents you received from the agency.

What You Can and Cannot Do as an Applicant

While your immigrant visa process is pending, your rights and restrictions depend on which form you filed and whether you have received work authorization. If you filed Form I-485 and received a Form I-765 (Employment Authorization Document), you may work for any employer in the U.S. If you have not received an I-765, you cannot legally work unless your case is approved.

Travel outside the U.S. while your case is pending can complicate your process. If you filed Form I-485 and leave the country without an Advance Parole document (Form I-131), USCIS may consider your process abandoned. If you are explore through Consular Processing and are outside the U.S., you must remain in your country of residence until your interview is scheduled and completed.

As an applicant, you are not yet a permanent resident, so you do not have a green card and cannot sponsor family members. You also cannot vote, hold certain government jobs, or access some federal benefits. Once your process is approved, these restrictions lift.

What Happens After Your process Is Approved

When USCIS or the State Department approves your immigrant visa process, you stop being an applicant. If you filed Form I-485, you will receive your green card in the mail within two to three weeks of approval. If you applied through Consular Processing, you will receive your immigrant visa at your interview, which you then use to enter the U.S. and become a permanent resident.

After approval, you have different rights and responsibilities. You can work for any employer without restriction, travel outside the U.S. and return, sponsor family members for their own immigrant visas, and access most federal benefits. You are also required to carry your green card or immigrant visa at all times and to report changes of address to USCIS within ten days.

Your status as a permanent resident lasts indefinitely unless you abandon it by living outside the U.S. for more than two years without a Returning Resident Permit, or unless you commit certain crimes or engage in activities that make you deportable.

Common Reasons Applications Are Delayed or Denied

USCIS and the State Department may delay your case if they need more information from you. Common reasons include missing documents, inconsistencies in your process, security or background checks that take longer than expected, or a backlog at your local USCIS office or embassy. If the agency needs more information, they will send you a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a similar notice telling you what to submit and by what date.

Applications are denied if you do not meet the legal requirements for an immigrant visa, if you have a criminal record or immigration violation, if you cannot prove your relationship to your sponsor (if family-based), or if you fail the medical examination or security checks. If your process is denied, you will receive a detailed notice explaining the reason. You may be able to appeal or reapply depending on the reason for denial.

Some applicants are placed in administrative processing, which means the agency is conducting additional background or security checks. This can last weeks or months. During this time, you remain an applicant—your case has not been approved or denied, just paused.

Documents You Should Keep While You Are an Applicant

Keep your Form I-797 Notice of Receipt or your State Department case number notice in a safe place. This document proves you have filed an process and contains your receipt number, which you need to check your status, schedule appointments, or contact the agency about your case.

If you received an Employment Authorization Document (I-765) or Advance Parole document (I-131), carry these with you at all times. Your employer will need a copy of your I-765 to verify you can work legally. If you travel, you will need your I-131 to return to the U.S. without abandoning your process.

Keep copies of all documents you submitted with your process—your birth certificate, marriage certificate, police clearance, medical examination results, and any correspondence from USCIS or the State Department. If the agency requests more information or if there is a discrepancy in your file, having copies allows you to respond quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work in the U.S. while I am an applicant for an immigrant visa?

Only if you have received an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-765) from USCIS. If you filed Form I-485 and requested work authorization, USCIS usually approves it within two to three months. If you are explore through Consular Processing and are outside the U.S., you cannot work in the U.S. until your visa is approved and you enter the country.

What happens if I leave the U.S. while my Form I-485 is pending?

Leaving without an Advance Parole document (Form I-131) will likely cause USCIS to consider your process abandoned, and you will have to start over. If you have an approved I-131, you can travel and return without losing your applicant status. Always request Advance Parole before you travel if your case is still pending.

How long does it usually take to get a decision on an immigrant visa process?

Form I-485 cases typically take four to six months, though some take longer depending on your local USCIS office and whether additional background checks are needed. Consular Processing cases vary widely—some take six months, others take a year or more. Check your case status online or contact the agency for an estimate based on your receipt or case number.

What should I do if I have not received a notice from USCIS or the State Department?

Contact the agency directly using your receipt number or case number if you have one. If you do not have a receipt number, call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 or visit a local office with your passport and any documents you received. For State Department cases, contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country.

Can I sponsor family members while my immigrant visa process is pending?

No. You can only sponsor family members once your process is approved and you receive your green card or immigrant visa. Once you are a permanent resident, you can begin the sponsorship process for a spouse, children, parents, or siblings, depending on your relationship and their circumstances.