USCIS

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (used to be BCIS, INS)

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. 

USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2024 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) 2024. 

USCIS will send non-selection notices to registrants through their online accounts over the next few days. When USCIS finishes sending these non-selection notifications, the status for properly submitted registrations that USCIS did not select for the FY 2024 H-1B numerical allocations will show: 

Tampa Asylum Office Moving to New Location

Release Date 

11/27/2023

USCIS’ Tampa Asylum Office is moving to a new location. Effective Dec. 11, 2023, the new address will be:

3924 Coconut Palm Drive

Tampa, Florida 33619

The current location will close to the public on Nov. 29, and the new location will open to the public on Dec. 11. USCIS will begin accepting mail at the new location on Nov. 29. However, the Tampa Asylum Office will not have walk-in hours until Dec. 13.