USCIS-side issues

USCIS-side issues are things that happen between Fola producing a filing-ready PDF and the government accepting (or processing) it. These usually aren’t bugs on our side — they’re how USCIS works — but Fola can help you handle them.

”Receipt number doesn’t track on USPS or USCIS”

What you saw: you got a receipt number on the official I-797C notice but it doesn’t show up when you search USCIS Case Status.

What it means: USCIS hasn’t ingested the filing yet (typical 1-2 weeks after USPS confirms delivery), or the receipt number was mis-typed.

What to do:

1. Confirm the receipt number against the official paper notice.
2. For paper filings, allow 2 weeks after USPS delivery.
3. For e-filed cases, the receipt is generated instantly — if it genuinely doesn’t track, contact USCIS directly via the 1-800 line.

”USPS shows delivered but no receipt notice arrived”

What you saw: USPS tracking confirms the packet was delivered to the USCIS lockbox but no receipt notice came back.

What it means: the USCIS mailroom hasn’t opened the packet yet. Normal queue depth is 30-45 days; backlogs are common.

What to do:

1. Wait 30-45 days from the USPS delivery date.
2. If 60+ days pass with no receipt, file a case inquiry with USCIS. Ask Fola in chat: “draft a case inquiry letter for [client name]” — it produces the right form.

”Case status hasn’t updated in 6+ months”

What you saw: the case is past normal processing time and USCIS Case Status hasn’t moved.

What it means: the case is in unreasonable-delay territory — eligible for a federal-court mandamus suit.

What to do:

1. Open Ask Fola: generate mandamus for [client name]. Fola produces a complete federal-court complaint packet covering the delay.
2. Cost: $79 per mandamus generation. Not included on demo plan.
3. Review the generated complaint with your supervising attorney before filing.

Mandamus is real federal-court litigation

Filing a mandamus opens a federal court case against the US government. It’s effective but it’s not a small administrative step. Consult with someone who’s done one before if it’s your first.

”Biometrics no-show”

What you saw: your client missed their ASC biometrics appointment.

What it means: USCIS will deny the underlying filing unless the client reschedules in time.

What to do:

1. File Form I-797C reschedule request as soon as possible. Ask Fola: draft a biometrics reschedule for [client name].
2. USCIS typically grants one reschedule without issue. Second no-shows risk denial — keep your client on top of the new date.

”USCIS rejected my filing for wrong fee”

What you saw: the entire packet came back with a rejection notice citing wrong fee.

What it means: USCIS fees change semi-regularly and Fola may not have updated the displayed fee in time. Or the wrong G-1450 (credit-card auth) was attached.

What to do:

1. Check the current fee at uscis.gov for the specific form.
2. If Fola’s displayed fee is out of date, email forms@folaform.com so we update.
3. Re-file with the correct fee. USCIS does not credit the previous (rejected) fee — you’ll be sending the full amount.

”USCIS asks for additional evidence I already sent”

What you saw: an RFE came back asking for documents you’d included in the original filing.

What it means: documents sometimes get separated from the packet in the USCIS mailroom (especially with thick evidence bundles).

What to do:

1. Open Ask Fola: respond to RFE for [client name]. Paste the RFE text. Fola will generate a complete response.
2. Include the originally-submitted documents AGAIN, plus a cover letter noting they were in the original filing (with the original USPS tracking number).
3. Send via certified mail with delivery confirmation.

”Wrong receipt number typed against a filing”

What you saw: the receipt number you entered against a filing on the Filings tab doesn’t match the notice that arrived.

What it means: human typo at entry time, or you pasted the number from the wrong notice (two clients receipted the same day).

What to do: open the filing on the Filings tab, click Edit receipt number, paste the correct value from the physical notice. Activity log keeps the old number for audit.

When to email vs when to call USCIS

• Status not moving — handle in-app first (case inquiry letter), then call USCIS 1-800-375-5283 if 60+ days
• Wrong fee rejection — handle in-app; email support@folaform.com if Fola’s displayed fee is stale
• Anything urgent / time-sensitive RFE deadline — support@folaform.com