INFORMATIONAL

Appeal Received

USCIS or the AAO has received your appeal of a denial.

Your appeal has been logged and will be reviewed by the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) or the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), depending on the case type. Appeals can take many months to years.

Worry Level

3/10

Typical Timeline

6 months to 3 years

What You Should Do

Wait for the appeal decision. Consider consulting an attorney.

Applies To

I-485, I-130, N-400, I-140

📍 Status Flow

BeforeCase Was Denied

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Current Appeal Received

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NextAppeal Approved

NextAppeal Denied

🎯 Common Outcomes

Appeal ApprovedAppeal Denied

🔗 Related Statuses

Case Was Denied

�?Frequently Asked Questions

USCIS Taking Too Long - What Are My Options?

If your case exceeds normal processing times, you can: 1) Submit a case inquiry online, 2) Contact your congressman's office for a congressional inquiry, 3) Contact the CIS Ombudsman, 4) File a mandamus action in federal court (consult an attorney), or 5) Submit an expedite request if criteria are met.

What Happens After Case Was Denied?

Your case was denied. Learn your options: appeal, motion to reopen, or refile.

1Read the denial notice carefully to understand the reason
2Consult an immigration attorney for options
3Option 1: Appeal to AAO or BIA (deadlines apply)
4Option 2: Motion to Reopen or Reconsider
5Option 3: Refile a new application addressing the denial reason
6Option 4: Federal court review (consult attorney)

Read full guide →

Disclaimer: This page provides general definitions of USCIS status messages for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. USCIS procedures, timelines, and interpretations change frequently and may vary by case, service center, and form type. For guidance specific to your situation, consult a licensed immigration attorney in your jurisdiction. This site is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency.

Accuracy: Definitions are based on publicly available USCIS materials and community-reported patterns. We do not guarantee that your case will follow the typical path described here.