Seeing “approved” for your H1B and H4 transfers on the USCIS website can feel like a huge relief, especially in today’s uncertain immigration climate. But for many workers, the excitement turns into confusion when their lawyer doesn’t receive any official email or notice for days.
Many applicants have found that USCIS often updates the online case status much faster than it sends formal approval notices. Even if your case is approved within eight business days under premium processing, the physical or digital notice can still take time to arrive.
While premium processing leads many to expect an instant update to their attorney, the email or mailed notice may be delayed due to internal scanning, mailing backlogs, or other processing steps within USCIS.
For H1B workers whose jobs, travel plans, or legal status hinge on this paperwork, the wait can feel like a cruel test of patience. Immigration experts recommend staying in close contact with your lawyer and asking them to follow up directly with USCIS if delays stretch beyond a few days.
Until the notice is in hand, there’s always a lingering fear that the “approved” status could change, making the waiting period even more stressful.
