Immigration
USCIS Updates Process for Accepting Petitions for Relatives Abroad
WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that, as part of the adjustment of its international footprint to increase efficiencies, Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, will only be processed domestically by USCIS or internationally by the Department of State in certain circumstances beginning Feb 1, 2020.
DOS will assume responsibility for certain services previously provided at USCIS international offices, services that DOS already provide in countries where USCIS does not have a presence. Eligible active-duty service members assigned overseas will file their Form I-130 locally with DOS, as will certain non-military petitioners who meet specific criteria for consular processing.
“USCIS continues to modernize and become more efficient as an agency,” said USCIS Deputy Director Mark Koumans. “Since the Department of State has a much larger international presence, we have delegated authority to our State partners to accept and adjudicate petitions for immediate relatives abroad in certain circumstances. USCIS continues to expand online filing options, which are available to those filing domestically or those filing from abroad, saving applicants and petitioners time and money.”
Generally, DOS will process Form I-130 locally if the petition falls under blanket authorization criteria, as defined by USCIS:
Temporary blanket authorizations for instances of prolonged or severe civil strife or a natural disaster; or
Blanket authorization for U.S. service members assigned to military bases abroad.
In addition to these blanket authorizations, DOS maintains the discretion to accept Form I-130 if a U.S. citizen petitioner meets the “exceptional circumstance” criteria as outlined in the Policy Manual update.
All other petitioners residing overseas must file Form I-130 online or by mail through the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility for domestic processing.
For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), Instagram (/uscis), YouTube (/uscis), Facebook (/uscis), and LinkedIn (/uscis).
4 minutes ago
Successful businessman receives prison time for tax fraud and bribery
7 minutes ago
Black Caucus members in Congress unite in opposition to Thanedar
10 minutes ago
Sale of banned substances lands Indian in five-year prison term
55 minutes ago
Kareena shares pictures of Taimur, Jeh scribbling letter for their grandma on her birthday
56 minutes ago
Gujarat contributes over 8.3 pc to national GDP: FM Sitharaman
57 minutes ago
HDFC Bank posts Rs 16,511 crore net profit in Q4, declares dividend of Rs 19.5 per share
1 hour ago
CM Vijayan living in perpetual fear of PM Modi: LoP Satheesan
1 hour ago
Karnataka Congress stages empty pot protest in Bengaluru against Centre
1 hour ago
Revere farmers who grow our food: Zoho's Sridhar Vembu
1 hour ago
HK, Singapore food regulators red flag ‘cancer-causing’ ingredient in certain MDH, Everest spices
1 hour ago
Formula 1: Verstappen on pole for Chinese Grand Prix, Hamilton to start at 18th position
1 hour ago
Jodie Foster marks 10th anniversary with wife at hand and footprint ceremony
1 hour ago
Goldie Hawn looks back at 'darling' daughter Kate Hudson's high school days