USCIS Changes Immigration Document Mailing Set Up

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that it has completely implemented a change to the way it mails out important immigration documents.

The federal agency said that the Secure Mail Initiative (SMI) has been implemented and it will utilize US Postal Service (USPS) Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation. This change will ensure that immigration documents are not only delivered in a secure fashion but also that they arrive in a timely manner, according to the USCIS.

SMI will allow those waiting for important immigration ins documents – such as permanent residence cards and employment authorizations – to track their packages using the Post Office's tracking system. It will also get these US green cards and other documents to their intended recipients. According to a release from the USCIS, post sent as USPS Priority Mail usually arrives two to four days sooner than first-class mail.

The USCIS said in its release that those waiting for immigration documents should wait at least two weeks after they get their approval notices to contact the agency for further information.

Source: USCIS changes immigration document mailing set up

Which USCIS forms are eligible for e-filing?

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USCIS forms eligible for e-filing are limited to specific forms. E-filing is available only for certain commonly used USCIS forms. Online filing is a simple and user friendly system which allows you to file your application online. All you need to have is a computer and an Internet connection. You can the filing fee online by using your credit card. E-filing allows you to start filling out the application online, save it, and return to it later at your own convenience. Additionally you receive immediate confirmation that your application is received by USCIS.

USCIS forms eligible for e-filing includes the most commonly used forms. USCIS has plans to extend the forms that are available for e-filing. Data submitted to USCIS through e-Filing is used to perform background checks, examinations (review of the information that is being provided by applicants), and adjudications (process by which decisions are made to grant or deny an application).

The list of USCIS forms eligible for e-filing are:

· I-90 – Application to Replace Permanent Residence Card

· I-129 – Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (Exception: The e-Filing System is not accepting I-129 petitions for H-1B, H-2B and L-1 categories. Form I-129 filings for these categories must be filed in paper.)

· I-131 – Application for Travel Document

· I-140 – Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker

· I-539 – Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status

· I-765 – Application for Employment Authorization

· I-821 – Application for Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821 will be available for e-Filing only if a TPS country is designated for re-registration purposes per the Federal Register Notice.)

· I-907 – Request for Premium Processing Service

Note: Though I-765 is one of the USCIS forms eligible for e-filing, the e-Filing system is not accepting I-765 for eligibility categories (c)(3)(A), (c)(3)(B), and (c)(3)(C) currently.

You cannot e-file your application, if you are applying for a fee waiver or requesting to expedite your case (with the exception of Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing). You cannot e-file your application if your form is not specified in the list above.

If you want to file any other application apart from the given list, you can paper file your application with USCIS. Each of the given forms has its own e-filing instructions which guides you to file your application online. Failure to go through these instructions may result in your application being delayed.

Supporting documents is the initial evidence that is required as proof of identification and as justification of eligibility for a benefit. USCIS decides to grant or reject your application based on these documents. Examples of supporting documents include copies of birth certificates, marriage certificate, Permanent Resident Cards, drivers license etc.

Check the form specific e-filing instructions to determine what supporting documentation, if any, is required.

Please retain a copy of your application and Confirmation receipt notice for your records. You will be required to submit a copy of your Confirmation receipt notice while you appear at the application support center to have the biometrics captured.

What is concurrent Filing?

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The stage 2 in an Employment based green card application process is filing an immigrant petition Form I-140 on behalf of the beneficiary. As per the new rule by USCIS the green card application can be filed simultaneously with I-140 petition. The process of filing Form I-140 and Form I-485 at the same time is called concurrent filing.
On Form I-140 one has the option to choose between consular processing and adjustment of status for green card application. Concurrent filing on Form I-140 and Form I-485 can be made only if the employee is currently inside the United States. Concurrent filing on Form I-140 and I-485 is not applicable if the employee wishes for a consular processing outside the United States.
The Form I-140 and Form I-485 can be filed together only when a visa number is immediately available. First one needs to determine if an visa number is immediately available. In case of employment based first preferences category the immigrant visa number is usually current, so one can apply for green card application while filing I-140. Concurrent filing of green card application based on other preference category usually depends upon the the date the labor certification application was accepted by the Department of Labor for processing when a labor certification is required. The Visa Bulletin is available using which one can check their place in the immigrant visa queue. The cut-ff dates for all the categories of employment based green card application is provided by the Visa Bulletin.
If there is no much demand than the visas in a given preference category and based on country of birth or it may be the country of changeability, then immigrant visas becomes current. If the Chart shows “C” then it means the visas is immediately or it is current and one is eligible for both filing both the Form I-140 and Form I-485 simultaneously.
When Form I-140 and Form I-485 are concurrently filed one has lots of benefits like filing the green card application earlier along with it one will be filing Employment Authorization Documents and Travel Document, so one can work legally and also can travel outside the United States.
USCIS will issue separate Receipt Notices for the Form I-140 Immigrant Petition and the Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status to Permanent Resident. The Receipt Notices will be issued on Form I-797. You can expect to receive the Form I-140 Receipt Notices within 30 days. The Form I-485 Receipt Notice will be issued to also within 30 days. The Form I-797 Receipt Notices are confirmation that USCIS has received the petition and application, and accepted them for processing.

One must wait for USCIS to complete processing of this case. Generally, an interview is not required. However, if an interview is required, USCIS will be issue an appointment notice to complete processing. If an appointment is not required, decision via mail will be sent. USCIS will most likely issue a decision on the Form I-140, Immigrant Petition before it issues a decision on the Application to Adjust Status to Permanent Resident. If I-140 is approved USCIS will process the I-485 application. If USCIS denies I-140 then I-485 will also not be processed.