USCIS Status: “Appeal Was Dismissed”
The appeal of your denied application has been dismissed by USCIS, and you should review the decision notice for next steps
What does this status mean?
The 'Appeal Was Dismissed' status means that the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) has reviewed your appeal and decided to dismiss it, which typically occurs when the appeal is deemed without legal basis or the decision to deny your application was correct, and now you should review the decision notice to understand the reason for the dismissal and potential next steps, such as filing a motion to reopen or reconsider using Form I-290B
What should you do next?
- 1Log into my.uscis.gov and check your case status using your receipt number to see the decision notice and any further instructions
- 2Review the decision notice to understand the reason for the dismissal and potential next steps, such as filing a motion to reopen or reconsider using Form I-290B within the specified timeframe, usually 30 days
- 3If necessary, consult with an immigration attorney to discuss possible options, including filing a motion to reopen or reconsider, or starting a new application process
Typical timeline
The timeline for processing an appeal and receiving a decision can vary by service center, but generally, it can take 6-14 months at the Nebraska Service Center, 9-18 months at the Texas Service Center, and the processing time for a motion to reopen or reconsider can take 3-8 months
Frequently asked questions
what does appeal was dismissed mean uscis
It means the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) has dismissed your appeal, and you should review the decision notice for next steps, which may include filing a motion to reopen or reconsider using Form I-290B within 30 days, and you can call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 for more information
can i appeal a uscis decision
Generally, you cannot appeal a decision to deny an adjustment of status application, but you may be able to file a motion to reopen or reconsider using Form I-290B, and you should review the decision notice to understand the reason for the denial and potential next steps
how long does it take uscis to process an appeal
The processing time for an appeal can vary by service center, but generally, it can take 6-14 months at the Nebraska Service Center, 9-18 months at the Texas Service Center, and you can check your case status on my.uscis.gov or call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 for more information
Legal guidance
Not sure how to respond? An attorney can review your case.
This status often requires a timely, well-prepared response. An experienced immigration attorney can assess your options and help you avoid mistakes that are hard to undo.
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Set up free alert →Last updated: 2026-06-16