What is Form I-824 and when is it used?

Form I-824, Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition, is a USCIS form used when a petitioner or applicant needs to request a change in how a previously approved petition is handled. The most common use of this form is to request that USCIS send a notification of an approved petition to the National Visa Center (NVC) for consular processing when the applicant originally intended to adjust status within the United States.

For example, if you filed an I-130 petition for a family member and indicated that they would adjust status (I-485) while in the U.S., but the beneficiary later decides to go through consular processing abroad, you must file Form I-824 to 'transfer' the approval to the Department of State. Without this action, the U.S. Embassy or Consulate cannot process the immigrant visa because they do not have the record of the approved petition. The filing fee for Form I-824 is currently 590 USD. Once filed, USCIS will process the request and, upon approval, notify the NVC, which will then open a case file for the beneficiary. Another use of Form I-824 is to request a duplicate approval notice if the original has been lost or to request that an approval be sent to a different port of entry. It is a procedural tool that ensures the relevant government agencies have the correct information to proceed with visa issuance or adjustment of status.