I-797F — Transportation Letter (Allows You to Board Plane to US)

USCIS I-797F lets you board a plane to enter US when you have an immigrant visa or returning resident status but issues with your physical green card.

What to do

  1. Present at airport check-in — airline must allow you to board. 2. Bring passport + I-797F. 3. At US POE (port of entry), CBP officer admits you. 4. If returning LPR, you should have I-551 stamp in passport. 5. Schedule replacement green card via I-90 within 30 days of arrival.

Common scams to avoid

⚠️ Always verify letter is legitimate BEFORE acting:

  • USCIS NEVER calls first — always letter first
  • IRS NEVER asks for payment in bitcoin, gift cards, instant transfer
  • USCIS/IRS do NOT threaten deportation by phone
  • Verify case number at egov.uscis.gov or irs.gov/account
  • Call OFFICIAL number from uscis.gov/irs.gov — NOT the number on suspicious letter

Resources

Last verified: 2026-05-25.

General information — not legal advice. Consult attorney or CPA with ITIN/immigration experience.

Recent USCIS notice code context (2025-2026)

USCIS issues approximately 6 million notices annually including I-797 series (action notices) and various correspondence. Common I-797 variants: I-797 (Approval), I-797A (Approval with replacement I-94), I-797B (Approval Notice / nonimmigrant), I-797C (Action Notice — receipts, transfers, biometrics scheduling), I-797D (companion to I-797C for sponsored I-130), I-797E (Request for Evidence / RFE), I-797F (Boarding Foil/Transportation Letter).

For RFEs (Request for Evidence — Form I-797E): respond by the deadline listed (typically 30-87 days, USCIS may not extend). Submit response in ONE package with the original I-797E attached + all requested evidence with cover letter listing each item. Missing the deadline triggers denial with refusal of fee refund. Common RFEs: missing translation certifications, marriage bona-fide evidence, employment verification for H-1B, asylum corroborating evidence.

For Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) and Notice of Intent to Revoke (NOIR): respond by deadline OR your case will be denied / approval revoked. NOIDs typically allow 30-33 days; NOIRs vary. For ASC (Application Support Center) biometric appointments: reschedule via myUSCIS or call 1-800-375-5283 Monday-Friday 8:00am-8:00pm ET. Rescheduling allowed once or twice without case impact; abuse leads to denial.

H.R.1 / OBBBA effective 2026-05-29 introduced new fees including asylum filing $100 (Form I-589) + Annual Asylum Fee $100. Verify current USCIS fees at uscis.gov/g-1055 (Form G-1055) before filing. USCIS e-Notification (Form G-1145, FREE) sends email/SMS when forms are received — request when filing any USCIS petition.