Next Step Is Adjudication
Pending
What it means for you
The case is at adjudication — the stage between biometrics and a decision. Since late September 2026 USCIS has replaced "Next Step Is an Interview" with this status in many asylum cases; it is a change of wording, not a decision on your case. It is linked to a DHS rule of July 28, 2026 that lets an officer decide some cases on the papers and refer them to court without an interview (for example, those who missed the one-year filing deadline). For most cases an interview is still the usual next step; watch your mail and your USCIS online account.
What usually comes next
- Next Step Is Adjudicationyou are here
- Interview Was Scheduled
Useful
- All about asylumFor asylum cases (I-589)
- Asylum EAD clock: when you can apply for a work permit
- Annual asylum fee: when it is due
- Immigration court: how to find your hearing dateIf your case was sent to immigration court
- Official text and case check — on uscis.gov
More statuses in “Pending”
- USCIS Is currently Processing the Case
- Case Was Updated To Show Fingerprints Were Taken
- Case Is Still Being Processed By USCIS
- Next Step Is an Interview
- Application Is Pending
This is general information, not legal advice. The status name is word for word as USCIS shows it; the explanation is written by the I-GUIDE team. How we write status explanations
Updated November 4, 2026 · Source: status titles — USCIS Case Status Online