The United States is moving toward a more digital immigration system. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that several immigration applications will eventually have to be submitted online instead of being sent through traditional paper forms.
The new change is designed to make the immigration process faster, easier to manage, and less expensive. USCIS announced the policy through a notice published in the Federal Register.
Under the new rule, immigration forms that have already been available for online filing for at least 180 days may eventually become mandatory for electronic submission. Before USCIS makes an online filing requirement effective for a particular form, applicants will receive a 60-day notice.
Many Immigration Services Could Be Affected
The new policy could apply to a wide range of immigration services. These may include applications for permanent residence, commonly known as green cards, as well as green card renewals and replacements.
Family-based immigration petitions could also be affected. People applying for U.S. citizenship may be required to use the online system when the relevant form is covered by the new requirement.
Other areas that could be impacted include asylum applications, employment authorization documents, and applications related to Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
The move is part of USCIS’s wider effort to reduce the use of paper and increase digital processing.
Applicants Will Need a USCIS Account
People who are required to file online will need to create a USCIS online account. Through the account, applicants can complete certain forms electronically and submit the required information.
In some cases, applicants may also be able to upload a PDF version of a completed form along with supporting documents. This could help people who have prepared their applications using other methods but still need to submit them electronically.
Applicants will need to make sure that all required information and supporting documents are included before submitting their applications.
60-Day Notice Before Changes
USCIS will not immediately require every eligible form to be submitted online. Forms that have been available for electronic filing for at least 180 days can be moved to mandatory online filing under the new policy.
Before the requirement takes effect for a specific form, USCIS will provide applicants with at least 60 days of notice.
This notice period is intended to give applicants, attorneys, immigration organizations, and other stakeholders enough time to prepare for the change.
Why USCIS Is Making the Change
USCIS says moving more applications online can improve the way immigration cases are processed. Digital applications can reduce the need for paper documents and make it easier for the agency to manage large numbers of applications.
The online system can also help reduce administrative costs and make information easier to access during the processing of a case.
For applicants, online filing could provide a more convenient way to submit forms and supporting documents without having to send large paper packages by mail.
Applicants Should Prepare
People planning to apply for an immigration benefit should pay attention to USCIS announcements about their specific forms. They should also make sure they can access their USCIS online account if online filing becomes mandatory for their application.
Applicants should carefully check the latest USCIS instructions before submitting a form because filing requirements can differ depending on the type of immigration benefit.
Overall, the new policy represents another major step toward a fully digital U.S. immigration system. While the transition may require applicants to learn new online procedures, USCIS expects the changes to make the immigration process more efficient and reduce the costs associated with handling paper applications.