Latest News

USCIS Issues Final Rule to Adjust Certain Immigration and Naturalization Fees

Release Date 

01/30/2024

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule to adjust certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees for the first time since 2016. The final rule will allow USCIS to recover a greater share of its operating costs and support more timely processing of new applications.

Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations Directorate

What does Refugee, Asylum and International Operations (RAIO) do?

They are responsible for:

  • Conducting protection screenings;
  • Adjudicating asylum and refugee applications; and
  • Adjudicating other immigration benefits both domestically and internationally.

RAIO is vigilant about fraud detection and national security, relying on careful vetting, innovative screening mechanisms, and sound adjudication.

USCIS Updates Guidance on Untimely Filed Extension of Stay and Change of Status Requests

Release Date 

01/24/2024

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced an update to its Policy Manual providing that USCIS, in discretion and under certain conditions, may excuse a nonimmigrant’s failure to timely file an extension of stay or change of status request if the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the applicant or petitioner.

USCIS Forms Update Notice

Recently updated USCIS forms:

Form I-942, Request for Reduced Fee

12/20/2023 12:51 PM EST

Edition Date: 12/20/23. Starting March 25, USCIS will only accept the 12/20/23 edition. Until then, you can also use the 12/02/21 and 02/13/19 editions. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.

Form I-881, Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal (Pursuant to Section 203 of Public Law 105-100 (NACARA))

USCIS to Launch Organizational Accounts, Enabling Online Collaboration and Submission of H-1B Registrations

Release Date 

01/12/2024

Will Also Introduce Online Filing for I-129 H-1B Petitions and H-1B I-907 Premium Processing Service 

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced the upcoming launch of a package of customer experience improvements for H-1B cap season. The measures are expected to increase efficiency and ease collaboration for organizations and their legal representatives.

Updated USCIS Forms

USCIS recently updated the following form(s):

Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (Under Section 336 of the INA)

08/31/2021 10:46 AM EDT

Edition Date: 08/31/21 E. USCIS will also accept the 08/31/21 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.

Form I-690, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility Under Sections 245A or 210 of the Immigration and Nationality Act

USCIS Issues Policy Guidance on “Ability to Pay” Requirement When Adjustment of Status Applicants Change Employers

Release Date 

01/05/2024

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today issued policy guidance (PDF, 322.3 KB) on how USCIS analyzes an employer’s ability to pay the proffered wage for immigrant petitions in certain first, second, and third preference employment-based immigrant visa classifications, including instances when the sponsored worker is changing employers.