Tools Outage
USCIS will conduct system maintenance to the Contact Relationship Interface System (CRIS) on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 11:50 p.m. through Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 3:00 a.m. Eastern.
05/17/2022
Two New Forms Published for Regional Center Designation
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today published two new forms for regional center designation under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program: Form I-956, Application for Regional Center Designation, and Form I-956H, Bona Fides of Persons Involved with Regional Center Program. Both forms are available on the USCIS website.
05/13/2022
USCIS надає інформацію щодо «Єднання заради України»
21 квітня Сполучені Штати оголосили про започаткування програми «Єднання заради України», яка є ключовим кроком у виконанні зобов’язання президента Байдена вітати українців, які рятуються від вторгнення Росії в Україну.
05/06/2022
USCIS Provides Information on Uniting for Ukraine
On April 21, the United States announced Uniting for Ukraine, a key step towards fulfilling President Biden’s commitment to welcome Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Uniting for Ukraine provides a pathway for displaced Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily for a two-year period of parole.
04/25/2022
FY 2023 H-1B Cap Season Updates
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough electronic registrations during the initial registration period to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2023 H-1B numerical allocations (H-1B cap), including the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap).
03/29/2022
USCIS to Offer Deferred Action for Special Immigrant Juveniles
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that it is updating the USCIS Policy Manual to consider deferred action and related employment authorization for noncitizens who have an approved Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) classification but who cannot apply to adjust status to become a lawful permanent resident (LPR) because a visa number is not available.
03/07/2022
USCIS Expands Credit Card Payment Pilot Program to All Service Centers
As part of our credit card payment pilot program, the USCIS service centers are now accepting credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for all forms except Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, for H-1B and H-2A petitions.
03/02/2022
H-2B Cap Reached for Second Half of FY 2022
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to meet the congressionally mandated H-2B cap for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2022.
03/01/2022
USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2022 H-1B Cap
USCIS has received a sufficient number of petitions needed to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year (FY) 2022.
02/28/2022
USCIS Launches H-2A Employer Data Hub
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has launched an H-2A Employer Data Hub to provide information to the public on employers or agents petitioning for H-2A workers.
02/25/2022
USCIS Urges Eligible Applicants to Switch Employment-Based Categories
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services encourages eligible applicants to consider requesting to transfer the underlying basis of their adjustment of status application to the first (priority workers) or second (noncitizens in professions with advanced degrees or with exceptional ability) employment-based preference categories, because there is an exceptionally high number of employment-based immigrant visas available in these categories during this fiscal year (October 2021 through September 2022).
02/18/2022
USCIS Opens a New Lockbox Facility
As we announced in November 2021, we have opened a new lockbox facility in Elgin, Illinois. We are beginning to transition incoming work to the new location.
02/10/2022
USCIS Updates Policy Guidance on VAWA Self-Petitions
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is publishing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on eligibility, filing, and adjudication requirements addressing Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitions to update practices and align USCIS policies with recent court decisions.
02/10/2022
USCIS Updates Guidance on Expedite Requests
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has updated the USCIS Policy Manual to reflect new guidance on how we determine whether a case warrants expedited treatment.
01/25/2022
USCIS Provides Clarifying Guidance for O-1 Petitions with a Focus on STEM Fields
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today issued policy guidance clarifying how it evaluates evidence to determine eligibility for O-1A nonimmigrants of extraordinary ability, with a focus on petitions filed for individuals in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) fields, as well as how USCIS determines whether an O-1 beneficiary’s prospective work is within their area of extraordinary ability or achievement.
01/21/2022
DHS Withdraws H-1B Selection Final Rule
The Department of Homeland Security has published a final rule that withdraws the Modification of Registration Requirement for Petitioners Seeking to File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions final rule, also known as the H-1B Selection Final Rule, issued Jan. 8, 2021.
12/21/2021
USCIS Temporarily Waiving 60-Day Rule for Civil Surgeon Signatures
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is temporarily waiving the requirement that the civil surgeon sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an applicant files an application for the underlying immigration benefit (including Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), until Sept. 30, 2022.
12/09/2021
Policy Update: Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF)
USCIS has expanded its guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual about Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF) to clarify steps applicants must take if they cannot submit primary evidence of Liberian nationality to support an LRIF-based application for adjustment of status.
10/29/2021
USCIS Issues Updated and Comprehensive Guidance on T Visa Adjudications
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing updated and comprehensive guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on adjudicating applications for T nonimmigrant status (or T visas) submitted by victims of human trafficking, including clarifying how applicants establish eligibility.
10/20/2021
USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for First Half of FY 2022
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated cap on H-2B visas for temporary nonagricultural workers for the first half of fiscal year 2022.
10/12/2021
Most CW-1 Employers Must File Required Semiannual Report (Form I-129CWR)
USCIS reminds employers of Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Transitional Workers (CW-1) that, if you have a currently-approved CW-1 petition with a validity period of six months or more, you must file Form I-129CWR, Semiannual Report for CW-1 Employers, with USCIS every six months after the petition validity start date.
09/29/2021
USCIS Expands Credit Card Payment Pilot Program to Texas Service Center
As part of our credit card payment pilot program, the Texas Service Center is now accepting credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for petitioners filing Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, with Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, or when filing Form I-907 to upgrade a pending Form I-140 to premium processing.
09/16/2021
COVID-19 Vaccination Required for Immigration Medical Examinations
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that, effective Oct. 1, 2021, applicants subject to the immigration medical examination must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the civil surgeon can complete an immigration medical examination and sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.
09/14/2021
USCIS Temporarily Extending Validity Period of Form I-693
Beginning Aug. 12, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is temporarily extending the validity period for Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, from two years to now four years due to COVID-19-related delays in processing.
08/12/2021
Filing Location Updates for Certain Forms I-131
On July 22, we adjusted the addresses for certain applicants filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. We have not changed any filing locations but have refined attention lines and ZIP codes to improve internal processes at our lockboxes.
07/22/2021
USCIS Clarifies Evidence Requirements Under Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that it is updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding eligibility for adjustment of status under Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF). The updated guidance clarifies what evidence an applicant may submit to establish Liberian nationality when applying for adjustment of status under LRIF.
06/17/2021
Vermont Service Center Address Change
Effective June 14, 2021, the Vermont Service Center will no longer receive any incoming mail at the St. Albans, VT facility, which is being decommissioned.
06/14/2021
USCIS Announces Lockbox Filing Flexibilities
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will offer filing flexibilities to provide relief to certain applicants and petitioners impacted by delays at a USCIS lockbox.
06/10/2021
DHS Withdraws Proposed Biometrics Rule
The Department of Homeland Security has withdrawn a proposed rule that would have expanded department authorities and requirements for collecting biometrics by removing age restrictions; requiring submission of biometrics for every applicant, petitioner, sponsor, beneficiary, or other individual filing for or associated with any immigration or naturalization benefit or request unless DHS waives or exempts the biometrics requirement; codifying the authority to use DNA test results; and authorizing the use of additional types of biometric modalities.
05/07/2021
USCIS Issues Policy Guidance on Deference to Previous Decisions
USCIS is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual instructing officers to give deference to prior determinations when adjudicating extension requests involving the same parties and facts unless there was a material error, material change, or new material facts.
04/27/2021
FY 2022 H-1B Cap Season Updates
USCIS has received enough electronic registrations during the initial registration period to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2022 H-1B numerical allocations (H-1B cap) including the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap).
03/30/2021
DHS Withdraws ‘Affidavit of Support’ Proposed Rule
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced the withdrawal of the affidavit of support proposed rule, consistent with DHS’s commitment to reduce barriers within the legal immigration system that placed increased burdens on American families wishing to sponsor individuals immigrating to the U.S.
03/19/2021
USCIS Expands Premium Processing Service to E-3 Petitioners
Starting Feb. 24, 2021, petitioners filing Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, requesting a change or extension of status to E-3 classification will have the option to request premium processing service for their petition.
02/24/2021
H-2B Cap Reached for Second Half of FY 2021
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to meet the congressionally mandated H-2B cap for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2021.
02/24/2021
USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2021 H-1B Cap
USCIS has received a sufficient number of petitions needed to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year (FY) 2021.
We have completed sending non-selection notifications to registrants’ online accounts. The status for registrations properly submitted for the FY 2021 H-1B numerical allocations, but that were not selected, will now show:
02/16/2021
President Biden Reinstates DED for Eligible Liberians
On Jan. 20, 2021, President Biden issued a memorandum directing the secretary of Homeland Security to reinstate Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for eligible Liberians and to provide for continued work authorization through June 30, 2022.
02/12/2021
FY 2022 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 9
USCIS today announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year (FY) 2022 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 9 and run through noon Eastern on March 25. During this period, prospective petitioners and representatives will be able to fill out petitioner and beneficiary information and submit their registrations.
02/05/2021
New Edition and New Filing Address for Form I-690
On Jan. 29, we published the 07/23/20 edition of Form I-690, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility, and changed the filing location. Applicants previously filed this form at the USCIS Chicago Lockbox.
01/29/2021
USCIS Suspending In-Person Services Jan. 19 and 20
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced it will temporarily suspend in-person services at all field offices, asylum offices and application support centers on Jan. 19 and 20 to ensure the safety of our employees and individuals with appointments.
01/15/2021
DHS Announces Countries Eligible for H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), have announced the list of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs in 2021. The notice listing the eligible countries will be published in the Federal Register on Jan. 13, 2021.
01/12/2021
USCIS to Replace Sticker That Extends Validity of Green Cards
Starting in January, we will replace the sticker that is currently issued to lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to extend the validity of their Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (PRC or “Green Card”), with a revised Form I-797, Notice of Action. LPRs file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, when their Green Cards expire or are about to expire. The revised Form I-797 notice will serve as a receipt notice for the Form I-90.
01/12/2021
USCIS Lockbox Updates
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, USCIS is experiencing delays in issuing receipt notices for some applications and petitions filed at a USCIS lockbox facility.
01/08/2021
New Filing Address for Forms I-924 and I-924A
On Jan. 5, we changed the filing location for Form I-924, Application For Regional Center Designation Under the Immigrant Investor Program, and Form I-924A, Annual Certification of Regional Center.
01/05/2021
USCIS Updates Guidance for Schedule A Occupations
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced updated guidance for adjudicating EB-2 and EB-3 Schedule A petitions for registered nurses, physical therapists, and aliens of exceptional ability.
12/02/2020
USCIS Expands Interviews for Refugees and Asylees Petitioning for Family Members
USCIS has issued a policy memorandum directing the phased expansion of in-person interviews for petitioners filing Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition. These additional interviews will provide an opportunity to evaluate a petitioner’s credibility, supporting our mission to detect and prevent fraud and risks of harm to the United States and ensure the integrity of the immigration system.
11/30/2020
USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for First Half of FY 2021
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated cap on H-2B visas for temporary nonagricultural workers for the first half of fiscal year 2021.
11/18/2020
Premium Processing Fee Increase Effective Oct. 19, 2020
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced it will increase fees for premium processing, effective Oct. 19, as required by the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act, Pub. L. No. 116-159, signed into law on Oct. 1.
10/16/2020
USCIS Policy Update on CW-1 Departure Requirement
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is modifying its policy on implementing the requirement that aliens leave the United States for at least 30 days after two renewals of their CNMI-Only Transitional Worker (CW-1) visa classification.
08/25/2020
USCIS Implements DHS Guidance on DACA
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today provided guidance on how it will implement Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf’s July 28 memorandum regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy.
08/24/2020
USCIS Launches Updated Website
Today, we launched an updated uscis.gov website, which we designed with input from applicants, petitioners and the public.
07/21/2020
Applying Discretion in USCIS Adjudications
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today consolidated existing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding officers’ application of discretion in adjudications.
07/15/2020
USCIS Statement on Presidential Proclamation
Monday’s presidential proclamation temporarily restricts certain categories of visas from being issued to protect jobs for American workers while our economy recovers from the effects of COVID-19.
06/23/2020
USCIS Resumes Premium Processing for Certain Petitions
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that it will resume premium processing for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker and Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, in phases over the next month.
05/29/2020
USCIS Offices Preparing to Reopen on June 4
On March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services temporarily suspended in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS is readying offices to reopen on or after June 4.
04/24/2020
USCIS Temporary Office Closure Extended until at least May 3
On March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services temporarily suspended in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS offices will begin to reopen on May 4 unless the public closures are extended further.
04/01/2020
USCIS Expands Flexibility for Responding to USCIS Requests
In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it adopted measures to assist applicants and petitioners who are responding to certain Requests for Evidence (RFE) and Notices of Intent to Deny (NOID).
03/30/2020
USCIS Temporary Office Closure Extended until at least April 7
On March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services temporarily suspended in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and Application Support Centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
03/25/2020
Initial H-1B Electronic Registration Period Closes March 20
The initial registration period for the fiscal year 2021 H-1B numerical allocations will close at noon Eastern on March 20. Registrations must be properly submitted before noon Eastern on March 20 to be considered in the initial selection process.
03/20/2020
Initial H-1B Registration Period Opens at Noon Eastern on March 1
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year (FY) 2021 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 1 and run through noon Eastern on March 20. During this period, prospective petitioners and representatives will be able to fill out prospective petitioner and beneficiary information and submit their registrations.
02/28/2020
H-2B Cap Reached for Second Half of FY2020
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to meet the congressionally mandated H-2B cap for the second half of fiscal year 2020.
02/26/2020
Fiscal Year 2021 H-1B Cap Pre-Paid Mailer Suspension
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will not use pre-paid mailers to send out any communication or final notices for fiscal year 2021 cap-subject H-1B petitions, including those requesting consideration under the advanced degree exemption.
02/14/2020
Treaty Termination Ends Certain Visa Eligibility for Iranian Nationals
USCIS today announced that, due to the Oct. 3, 2018, termination of the 1955 Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations, and Consular Rights with Iran, Iranian nationals are no longer eligible for E-1 treaty trader and E-2 treaty investor changes or extensions of status based on the treaty.
01/22/2020
USCIS Announces Countries Eligible for H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), have announced the list of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs in 2020.
01/16/2020
USCIS Publishes Guidance on H-2A Petitions for Sheep/Goat Herders
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today published a policy memorandum (PM) that requires requests for temporary foreign workers for range sheep or goat herding or production be subject to the same requirements as other temporary agricultural workers.
11/14/2019
DHS Extends TPS Documentation for Six Countries
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced a Federal Register notice extending the validity of TPS-related documentation for beneficiaries under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan through Jan. 4, 2021.
11/01/2019
USCIS Begins Producing Security-Enhanced Travel Documents
To prevent secure document tampering, counterfeiting, and fraud, we will begin producing on Oct. 24 a new security-enhanced U.S. travel document, which is a booklet that looks similar to a U.S. passport and serves dual purposes.
10/24/2019
USCIS Highlights Legal Responsibilities of Sponsors of Aliens
The May 2019 Presidential Memorandum on Enforcing the Legal Responsibilities of Sponsors of Aliens emphasizes that certain requirements apply to you if you have sponsored (or will sponsor) an immigrant, or if you have otherwise agreed to make your income and assets available to help sponsor the immigrant...
09/27/2019
DHS Proposes Minimal Registration Fee for Petitioners Seeking to File H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced a notice of proposed rulemaking that would require petitioners seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions to pay a $10 fee for each electronic registration they submit to USCIS. Because USCIS must expend resources to implement and maintain the H-1B registration system, and because USCIS operations are funded by fees collected for adjudication and naturalization services, DHS is proposing an appropriate, nominal fee for submitting H-1B registrations to recover those costs.
09/03/2019
E-Verify launches new video resource page
All E-Verify videos are now located on the new E-Verify video resources page, your one-stop location for important topics you need to know about E-Verify. Watch our videos to learn about the benefits of the program, how to create a case, and employee rights.
09/03/2019
USCIS Returns Unselected Fiscal Year 2020 H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions
USCIS has returned all fiscal year (FY) 2020 H-1B cap-subject petitions that were not selected in our computer-generated random selection process. On May 17, USCIS announced that it had completed data entry of all selected H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 2020.
08/15/2019
E-Verify is now on LinkedIn
The Verification Division is streamlining our public contact channels. E-Verify Listens will be discontinued on July 17. We are encouraging interested parties to connect with us through our E-Verify website, on Twitter (@EVerify), and on Facebook. In addition, they can subscribe to GovDelivery to receive the latest E-Verify email updates, and text “EVERIFY UPDATES” to 468311 to get the latest E-Verify news.
07/16/2019
USCIS Aims to Decrease Processing Times for N-400 and I-485
USCIS will implement a national strategy to decrease differences in processing times based on location for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
06/17/2019
New Zealand Nationals Eligible for E-1 and E-2 Nonimmigrant Classifications
Certain New Zealand nationals can now request a change of status to the E-1 nonimmigrant trader classification and the E-2 nonimmigrant investor classification under Public Law 115-226. Beginning June 10, eligible New Zealand nationals already in the United States in a lawful nonimmigrant status can file Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, to request a change of status to E-1 or E-2 classification, or a qualifying employer can file Form I-129 on their behalf.
06/10/2019
Cap Reached for Additional H-2B Visas for FY 2019
USCIS has received enough petitions to reach the additional maximum 30,000 visas made available for returning workers under the H-2B numerical limit (also called a cap) for fiscal year (FY) 2019.
06/07/2019
USCIS Updates Rejection Criteria for Form I-129
On August 5, USCIS will begin rejecting Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, petitions that do not include the petitioner’s or applicant’s name and primary U.S. office address in Part 1 of Form I-129.
06/04/2019
Adoption Information: Guyana
On June 1, 2019, the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (the Hague Adoption Convention, or Convention) went into effect in Guyana. Guyana is now a party to the Hague Adoption Convention.
06/01/2019
Reminder for Requesting DACA
If you request either initial or renewal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), you must submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization and required fees.
01/20/2015