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• USCIS Updates Forms I-360 and I-485; Both Forms Now Require New Filing Locations

  Feb 26, 2010: This week, USCIS announced new filing locations for two forms that have now been revised and updated. The new Form I-360, the Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, was posted yesterday and is dated 12/30/09. No previous versions of this form will be accepted 30 days after publication. The new Form I-485, the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, was also posted yesterday and is dated 12/03/09.
  
  Starting February 25, 2010, applicants filing a Form I-360 should submit the form either with the Vermont Service Center, the Nebraska Service Center or a USCIS Lockbox facility. If applicable, USCIS will forward incorrectly filed forms to the correct location until March 29, 2010. After that date, incorrectly filed forms may be returned to the petitioner with instructions to send the form to the correct location. Previous versions of this form will be accepted until March 29, 2010. After that date, previous versions will be rejected.
  
  Starting February 25, 2010, the majority of applicants filing Form I-485 should submit the form to a USCIS Lockbox facility, based on the eligibility category under which they are filing (more information regarding this is available in the revised form’s instructions). USCIS will forward all incorrectly filed forms up to March 29, 2010. After that date, incorrectly filed forms will be returned to the petitioner with instructions to send the form to the correct location. Previous versions of this form will be accepted until March 29, 2010. After that date, previous versions will be rejected.

  
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• USCIS Announces a Change of Filing Location for Form I-102, the Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Departure Document

  Feb 23, 2010: Yesterday, USCIS announced revised filing instructions and addresses for applicants that are filing Form I-102, the Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document. The new form, which is dated January 13, 2010, is part of a greater USCIS initiative to centralize form and fee intakes to USCIS Lockbox facilities.
  
  Starting February 22, 2010, applicants separately filing Form I-201 should mail their application to either the Phoenix or Dallas Lockbox facility, based on their location. Additional guidance is included in the revised instructions of Form I-102. Applicants that are submitting Form I-102 with another form should submit both forms to the location specified in the filing instructions of the other form.
  
  Please note that NATO and Partnership for Peace under SOFA Military Members that are seeking an initial Form I-94 should submit their application through their foreign commander or designee to the following address:
  
  NATO/Headquarters
  Supreme Allied Commander Transformation at NATO/HQ SACT
  7857 Blandy Road. Suite 100
  ATTN: Legal Affairs
  Norfolk, VA 23551-2490
  
  Service Centers that receive any Form I-102 will forward the form to the correct USCIS Lockbox facility up to March 24, 2010. After that date, applications filed incorrectly will be returned to the applicant, with guidance to send the form to the correct location.
  
  Please note that applicants filing this form at a USCIS Lockbox facility may request to receive an email or text message letting them know that USCIS has accepted their application. Applicants interested in receiving this message should additionally complete Form G-1145, the E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, and attach it to the first page of their application.

  
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• USCIS Announces Revised Filing Instructions/Addresses for Form I-824

  Feb 20, 2010: Earlier this week, USCIS announced revised filing instructions and addresses for applicants that are filing Form I-824, the Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition. The new form, which is dated 12.11/09, includes a series of changes that are a part of an overall effort to move from accepting benefit forms at USCIS local offices and Service Centers to USCIS Lockbox facilities.
  
  Starting February 19, 2010, applicants should file Form I-824 with a USCIS Lockbox facility, based on which Service Center or USCIS local office approved their original petition or application. Further clarification is provided in the instructions included with Form I-824. For the next 30 days, USCIS will forward all Form I-824 applications to the lockbox facility.
  
  Please note that applicants filing this form at a USCIS Lockbox facility may request to receive an email or text message letting them know that USCIS has accepted their application. Applicants interested in receiving this message should additionally complete Form G-1145, the E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, and attach it to the first page of their application.

  
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• Board of Immigration Appeals Extends Grace Period for Certain Filings Due to Extreme Weather

  Feb 17, 2010: Due to extreme weather conditions in the Washington, D.C. area, the Board of Immigration Appeals was closed from February 5-11, 2010. Because of this, the Board has decided to apply a temporary grace period for filings that were due anytime between February 5, 2010 and February 18, 2010 and were received on or before February 19, 2010.
  
  This grace period takes effect automatically and no requests or documentation need to be provided to the Board.
  
  Please note that any filing that arrives after February 19, 2010 will be subject to normal filing deadlines.
  

  
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