U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services News
Cap Reached for Additional Returning Worker H-2B Visas for the Early Second Half of FY 2023
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the cap for the additional 16,500 H-2B visas made available for returning workers for the early second half of fiscal year (FY) 2023 with start dates from April 1, 2023 to May 14, 2023, under the FY 2023 H-2B supplemental visa temporary final rule.
Categories: Immigration News Resources
USCIS Updates Policy Guidance on Self-Selecting a Gender Marker on Forms and Documents
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify that, effective immediately, USCIS will accept the self-identified gender marker for individuals requesting immigration benefits
Categories: Immigration News Resources
USCIS Removes 60-Day Rule for Civil Surgeon Signatures on Form I-693
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is removing the requirement that civil surgeons sign Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an individual applies for an underlying immigration benefit, including Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
Categories: Immigration News Resources
New Filing Address for Courier Delivery Services to USCIS Phoenix Lockbox
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has changed the filing location for courier delivery services to the Phoenix lockbox. The facility has moved to Tempe, Arizona, and the filing location for courier delivery services for UPS, FedEx, and DHL has also changed to Tempe. The filing location remains the same when using the U.S. Postal Service.
Categories: Immigration News Resources
Provision Allowing Special Immigrant Juveniles to File Form I-360 in Person Before Their 21st Birthday
Petitioners for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) classification (or their representatives) may schedule an appointment within two weeks before their 21st birthday to file Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, in person.
Categories: Immigration News Resources
USCIS Updates Policy on Time Frames for Paper-Based Filings and Responses Ending on Saturdays, Sundays, or Federal Holidays
We are updating the USCIS Policy Manual to address situations when the last day to file a benefit request or respond to a USCIS action falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday.
Categories: Immigration News Resources
FY 2024 H-1B Cap Season Updates
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has received enough electronic registrations during the initial registration period to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2024 H-1B numerical allocations (H-1B cap), including the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap).
Categories: Immigration News Resources
USCIS Announces End of COVID-Related Flexibilities
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that certain flexibilities it first announced in March 2020, to address the COVID-19 pandemic will end on March 23, 2023.
Categories: Immigration News Resources
USCIS Form and Policy Updates for Applying for Naturalization Based on Military Service
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced updated policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify and conform with the revision of Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service.
Categories: Immigration News Resources
Update to Filing Location for U Nonimmigrant-Based Form I-485
U nonimmigrants applying to become lawful permanent residents must now file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, only at the Nebraska Service Center and not at the Vermont Service Center.
Categories: Immigration News Resources
USCIS Relocates Lockbox From Phoenix To Tempe, Arizona for Courier Delivery Services
On March 31, applicants and petitioners filing at the Phoenix lockbox will see a new filing location for courier delivery services such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL.
Categories: Immigration News Resources
USCIS Announces Additional Mail Delivery Process for Receiving ADIT Stamp
Lawful permanent residents may receive temporary evidence of their lawful permanent resident status by mail rather than physically visiting a field office to receive an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication (ADIT) stamp (also known as an I-551 stamp).
Categories: Immigration News Resources
USCIS Removes Biometrics Requirement for Form I-526E Petitioners
Beginning on March 15, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is removing the biometrics submission requirement and $85 fee requirement for petitioners filing Form I-526E, Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor.
Categories: Immigration News Resources
USCIS Extends Rule Providing Interpreters at Affirmative Asylum Interviews
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today a fourth extension to a temporary final rule (TFR) requiring use of a USCIS interpreter at certain affirmative asylum interviews.
Categories: Immigration News Resources
USCIS Issues Guidance on Analyzing Employers’ Ability to Pay Wages
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today issued policy guidance on how we analyze an employer’s ability to pay the proffered wage for immigrant petitions in certain first, second, and third preference employment-based immigrant visa classifications.
Categories: Immigration News Resources
USCIS Processing Times for Orphan and Hague Adoption Cases
On Nov. 2, 2022 USCIS announced a change in our method for calculating orphan and Hague adoption case processing times.
Categories: Immigration News Resources
DHS Publishes Federal Register Notice Extending and Redesignating Somalia for Temporary Protected Status
The Department of Homeland Security today published a Federal Register notice extending and redesignating Somalia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from March 18, 2023, through September 17, 2024.
Categories: Immigration News Resources
USCIS Provides Guidance on Program for International Entrepreneurs
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued comprehensive guidance on parole for international entrepreneurs.
Categories: Immigration News Resources
New Entrepreneur Resources Available on USCIS Website
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has published additional online resources on uscis.gov to provide an overview of some of the temporary and permanent pathways for noncitizen entrepreneurs to work in the United States.
Categories: Immigration News Resources
Tools Outage
USCIS will conduct system maintenance to the Contact Relationship Interface System (CRIS) on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 11:50 p.m. through Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 2:00 a.m. Eastern.
Categories: Immigration News Resources