USCIS Response to the 2019 Coronavirus

USCIS is actively monitoring the effects of the public health emergency related to the 2019 coronavirus outbreak on agency operations.

Office Closures in China

According to U.S. Department of State guidance, USCIS is temporarily closing its field offices in Beijing and Guangzhou. USCIS will reschedule all affected appointments and will send new appointment notices to applicants.

Public Charge Inadmissibility Final Rule: Revised Forms and Updated Policy Manual Guidance

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has published revised forms consistent with the final rule on the public charge ground of inadmissibility, which the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including USCIS, will implement on Feb. 24, 2020. Beginning Feb. 24, 2020, applicants and petitioners must use new editions of the following forms below (except in Illinois, where the rule remains enjoined by a federal court): 

Feb 6, 2020, Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

Substantial transcription for video

FAQs: 

- H-4 visa stamping - problems with H-1B

- Sponsoring family based green card while living outside   the US

- When is H-1B amendment required?

- Getting EB-1C based green card by moving out for one year

- Obtaining birth certificates

USCIS Updates Process for Accepting Petitions for Relatives Abroad

WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services  announced that, as part of the adjustment of its international footprint to increase efficiencies, Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, will only be processed domestically by USCIS or internationally by the Department of State in certain circumstances beginning Feb 1, 2020.  

USCIS Announces Public Charge Rule Implementation Following Supreme Court Stay of Nationwide Injunctions

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will implement the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds final rule (“Final Rule”) on Feb. 24, 2020, except for in the State of Illinois where the rule remains enjoined by a federal court as of Jan. 30, 2020. Under the Final Rule, USCIS will look at the factors required under the law by Congress, like an alien’s age, health, income, education and skills, among others, in order to determine whether the alien is likely at any time to become a public charge.

USCIS Issues Updates to Biometrics Collection Guidance

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services  announced updates to its Policy Manual that address mobile biometrics services and fingerprint waivers.

USCIS requires biometrics from individuals who submit applications, petitions, and requests for certain immigration benefits. USCIS uses biometrics to verify identity, produce secure documents, and conduct required criminal and national security background checks. 

Mobile Biometrics Services

USCIS Adjusts Process for Managing EB-5 Visa Petition Inventory

WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a process change for Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor, from a first-in, first-out basis to a visa availability approach.

This new operational approach aligns with other visa-availability agency adjudications processes, is more consistent with congressional intent for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, and increases fairness in the administration of the program.