“Case Is Being Actively Reviewed”: what it means
Updated October 27, 2026 · Checked against USCIS sources
An officer has your file and is working on it. It does not mean a decision is close, and it does not mean something is wrong. Many cases show this status more than once.
What it means
USCIS updates the status as the file moves through steps such as background checks, review of evidence and supervisor checks. The same status can come back several times while the file is still being worked on.
What usually comes next
What you can do
- Make sure USCIS has your current mailing address: letters and notices come by mail.
- Keep copies of everything you filed, in case USCIS asks for more evidence.
- If your wait is longer than the processing time for your form, you can submit a case inquiry.
Forms that show this status
Each form links to its current processing time.
Questions
Is “actively reviewed” a good sign?
It is a neutral sign: your file is with an officer. It tells you nothing yet about the decision.
Why did my status go back to “actively reviewed”?
Each time the file moves to a new step, USCIS may update the status, so it can appear again.
Sources: USCIS Case Status Online and Case Status API messages; USCIS processing times and case inquiry pages. General information, not legal advice.