Policy Manual

Chapter 4 - Service Request Management Tool

A. Generating Service Requests

1. USCIS-Generated

The Service Request Management Tool (SRMT) provides USCIS staff the ability to record and transfer unresolved service requests by benefit requestors and other interested parties to the appropriate USCIS service center, domestic USCIS field office, or USCIS asylum office where the application or petition is pending a decision or was adjudicated.

If an inquiry received through a call to the USCIS Contact Center cannot be resolved during the call, and the inquiry warrants creation of a service request, USCIS Contact Center staff will create a service request. Although the majority of service requests are created by staff at the USCIS Contact Center, officers in other locations may also create service requests. Using the SRMT to create a service request allows the person inquiring to receive a response without having to call the USCIS Contact Center again or return to a USCIS office in most instances.

2. Self-Generated

By using an online portal, a person may create a service request in the following categories:

  • Change of address (COA) request (unless filing as a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), T nonimmigrant, or U nonimmigrant applicant or petitioner);[1]

  • Request regarding a notice, card, or other document that was not received;

  • Request regarding a case outside normal processing time;

  • Request for accommodations;[2] or

  • Request for correction of a typographic error.

Benefit requestors may also submit a service request by mailing in a hard copy to a domestic USCIS field office.[3]

B. Responding to Service Requests

1. Timely Response

The USCIS office receiving a service request should take the necessary steps to communicate directly with the benefit requestor about the inquiry or timely relocate the inquiry to another office or organization when appropriate.

USCIS categorizes a service request based upon the urgency and request type, and assigns a target completion date based on the category. USCIS completes requests within each category on a first-in, first-out basis. In general, the goal for resolution of service requests is 15 calendar days from the date of creation.

2. Prioritized Requests

The following requests receive processing priority and should be responded to within 7 calendar days from the date of creation:

Change of Address

USCIS must process change of address (COA) requests at the earliest opportunity to reduce the potential for undeliverable mail and associated concerns. The address recorded on all open associated application or petition receipts must be updated unless instructed otherwise by the person. Address changes are only limited to select identified receipts when the person explicitly requests the COA request be restricted.

When the address listed for the applicant in any request is different from the address listed in USCIS information systems, it is considered to be an address change request, regardless of whether the request was specifically for a COA or for another reason. The address in the request is then used to change address records on all directly related receipts.

However, no COA request is inferred if the service request was initiated by a representative and the address listed in the request is the representative’s address. Also, in these situations, a copy of the response should be mailed to the petitioner or applicant at his or her address of record.

USCIS does not accept COA requests on a VAWA, T nonimmigrant, or U nonimmigrant-related application or petition that are received through an SRMT. A hard-copy, signed COA request submitted through traditional mail is required. Offices should respond to VAWA, T nonimmigrant, and U nonimmigrant COA requests using the standard language.[4]

Expedite Requests[5]

Expedite service requests are self-identified as urgent. The person requesting expedited service may be required to submit evidence to the office processing their case to support the expedite request.

Reasonable Accommodation[6]

Reasonable accommodation service requests must be responded to in accordance with the disability accommodations policy.

Military Referral

Military referrals have implied urgency based upon the uncertainty of reassignments and deployments.

Footnotes

[^ 1] For information on COA in VAWA, T, U, see Chapter 7, Privacy and Confidentiality, Section E, VAWA, T, and U Cases [1 USCIS-PM A.7(E)].

[^ 2] See Chapter 6, Disability Accommodation Requests [1 USCIS-PM A.6].

[^ 3] See Chapter 3, Forms of Assistance, Section D, Traditional Mail or Facsimile [1 USCIS-PM A.3(D)].

[^ 4] See Section E, VAWA, T, and U Cases, Subsection 3, USCIS Assistance [1 USCIS-PM A.7(E)(3)].

[^ 5] Expedite requests are distinct from premium processing. For information on expedite requests and premium processing, see Chapter 5, Requests to Expedite Applications or Petitions [1 USCIS-PM A.5].

[^ 6] See Chapter 6, Disability Accommodation Requests [1 USCIS-PM A.6].

Current as of July 30, 2021