Stakeholder Messages
This page contains USCIS stakeholder messages, searchable by topic and date. Stakeholder messages are only current as of the date of publication/release. Keep in mind, messages may have become outdated since they were sent.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of Labor (DOL), issued a temporary final rule (TFR) authorizing the release of an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas to be allocated throughout fiscal year (FY) 2025.
We announced today that we are updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding when students may be eligible for optional practical training (OPT) extensions for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a Federal Register notice designating Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from Nov. 27, 2024, through May 27, 2026.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify the legal and physical custody requirements for purposes of acquisition of U.S. citizenship under section 320 and naturalization under section 322 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Effective Oct. 23, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating our Policy Manual to incorporate changes and clarifications from the Classification for Victims of Severe Forms of Trafficking in Persons; Eligibility for “T” Nonimmigrant Status final rule. This final rule was published in the Federal Register on April 30, 2024.The final rule codifies existing policies, modifies certain provisions to reflect statutory changes, and clarifies eligibility requirements for noncitizens seeking T nonimmigrant status and related adjustment of status. The rule also implements a modified bona fide determination process and makes other technical and procedural changes. Policy HighlightsThe updated policy guidance:
Join us for today’s Tech Talks at 2 p.m. Eastern today. We will discuss Online PDF Filing Options.On Oct. 8, we introduced a PDF filing option for certain applicants seeking an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Eligible applicants now may upload a completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, along with required evidence, in PDF format using their USCIS online account. Eligible applicants also may file a completed Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, with their application using the PDF filing option. This is the first time we are accepting fee waiver requests electronically filed via USCIS online accounts. Initially, the PDF filing option will be available only for Form I-765 applicants in the following categories:
On Jan. 31, 2024, USCIS published a final rule that adjusts certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees. This final rule went into effect on April 1, 2024. Since then, USCIS has seen a significant increase of Forms I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, being filed without the correct fee.Please confirm that you have included the correct fee before submitting your Form I-765.What You Need to Know Common filing fees for Form I-765 are:
Today, in continued support of Enduring Welcome, and by congressional directive, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it is extending and expanding some previously announced filing fee exemptions and expedited application processing for certain Afghan nationals. This will help Afghan nationals continue to resettle and, in many cases, reunite with family in the United States. It will enable USCIS to more quickly process requests for long-term status, status for immediate relatives, and associated services, helping our Afghan allies and other Afghans at risk integrate in their new home. Afghan nationals paroled into the United States on or after July 30, 2021, are eligible for the following fee exemptions and streamlined processing through the dates listed:Fee Exemptions Extended through Jan. 31, 2025
USCIS Makes Additional Updates to Policy Guidance for the “Sought to Acquire” Requirement Under the Child Status Protection ActU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today issued guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify how to calculate the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) age for a noncitizen who demonstrates extraordinary circumstances that may excuse the “sought to acquire” requirement under the CSPA.This publication clarifies that:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reminds applicants and petitioners to make sure that they are submitting the current edition of all forms before sending your package to USCIS.
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