“Case Was Transferred And A New Office Has Jurisdiction”: what it means
Your file moved to a different USCIS office. It is a routing change, not a problem.
Checked against USCIS guidance on October 17, 2026. The sources are listed at the end of this page.
What this status means
USCIS moves cases between offices. It has said it transfers cases between its service centers when necessary to balance its workload and keep processing moving, and that it sends a transfer notice when it does.
A case can also be sent to a field office, the local office that holds interviews.
A transfer by itself says nothing about whether the case will be approved.
What it means for your form
- I-485 (green card)
- A green card case may be sent to a field office near you, which is where an interview would take place. A transfer does not settle whether you will be interviewed: USCIS interviews every adjustment applicant unless it waives the interview.
What usually happens next
- A transfer notice (Form I-797C) arrives by mail.
- The new office picks up the case, and its processing time applies from here. USCIS publishes processing times by office, so check the one for the new office.
3 steps · Checklist
Next steps: Case Was Transferred And A New Office Has Jurisdiction
What to do now, as a checklist you can save and tick off.
Keep tracking the same receipt number
Your receipt number stays the same. Keep tracking it as before.
Check the new office’s processing time
Look up the processing time for the new office rather than the original one, and use it when deciding whether your case is outside normal processing times.
Read the transfer notice
Read the transfer notice for any instructions, and keep your address current with USCIS.
Free, and yours to edit — tick items off on the web or in the MyCheck app.
Which processing time applies after a transfer?
The new office’s. USCIS publishes processing times for each office, and after a transfer your case is measured against the time for the office that now has it.
Does my receipt number change after a transfer?
No. USCIS has said your receipt number does not change when your case is transferred. Keep using it for tracking and for any inquiry.
What does “a new office has jurisdiction” mean?
That the new office is now responsible for your case, including any request for evidence, interview or decision that comes next.
Read more
Sources
General information about how USCIS status messages are used, not legal advice. The notices USCIS mails you are the official record for your case.
