USCIS case status message
What does "Fingerprint Fee Was Received" mean on USCIS case status?
Updated · Not legal advice
USCIS has recorded the biometrics (fingerprint) part of your filing and will schedule, or has scheduled, a biometrics appointment at an Application Support Center. Watch for the appointment notice (Form I-797C) in the mail or your online account.
| Status text | Fingerprint Fee Was Received |
|---|---|
| Seen on | Forms that require biometrics, such as I-485, I-765 (some categories), I-131, I-90, I-751, N-400, I-589. |
| Timing | The appointment notice usually follows within weeks, but USCIS does not publish a fixed time. |
| Usually next | Case Was Updated To Show Fingerprints Were Taken, Case Is Being Actively Reviewed By USCIS |
What it means
- It is an administrative step, not a decision.
- Biometrics are used for identity and background checks.
What to do
- Attend the appointment on the date shown, with the notice and photo ID.
- If you cannot attend, follow the rescheduling instructions on the notice before the date.
- Some applicants are told their previous biometrics will be reused; the notice says so.
Check the exact wording and USCIS's explanation for your case on USCIS Case Status Online. The explanation USCIS shows under the status varies by form.
What to do next: stop refreshing
Add your receipt number and we'll email you the moment the status changes from "Fingerprint Fee Was Received".
Quick answers
- Do I need to pay anything at the biometrics appointment?
- No. Any biometrics fee is paid with the filing (where required); the appointment itself is free.
- Can I walk in early to the Application Support Center?
- Some centers accept walk-ins and some do not. Follow the instructions on your notice and USCIS guidance.
Sources
- USCIS: Case Status Online
- USCIS: Checking Your Case Status Online
- USCIS: Check Case Processing Times
- USCIS Contact Center
Checked: November 12, 2026