USCIS Has Extended Deadlines for Several Pandemic Related Flexibilities

USCIS
November 2, 2022

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has extended the flexibility periods for responding to requests. In addition, filing for Form N-336 and Form I-290B received an extension through October 23, 2022.

The USCIS first extended some flexibilities to applicants, requesters, and petitioners in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, after the first extension, the USCIS pushed the date back through July 25, 2022. At the time, they declared they would not extend the flexibilities again.

Recently, the USCIS decided it would consider responses received within 60 days of their due dates. This exception applies only to notices or requests with issuance dates between March 1, 2020, through October 23, 2022.

  • “Requests for Evidence;
  • Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14);
  • Notices of Intent to Deny;
  • Notices of Intent to Revoke;
  • Notices of Intent to Rescind;
  • Notices of Intent to Terminate regional centers;
  • Notices of Intent to Withdraw Temporary Protected Status; and
  • Motions to Reopen an N-400 Pursuant to 8 CFR 335.5, Receipt of Derogatory Information After Grant.”

In addition, USCIS will consider a Form I-290B (Notice of Appeal or Motion) or a Form N-336 (Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings under Section 336 of the INA) if:

  • The filed form took place within 90 calendar days from the issuance of a decision made
  • The decision made proved inclusive of November 1, 2021, and January 24, 2023

The USCIS also permanently extended its policy of allowing electronically reproduced original signatures. This policy allowed the reproduction of documents and benefits forms as long as the original document had an original signature. Additionally, the petitioner, requestor, or applicant submitting the reproduced documents must keep the documents containing the wet signature, which the USCIS can request at any time. Failure to produce the original document upon request may harm the adjudication of the immigration benefit.

The USCIS allowed these flexibilities to make the application process more manageable with the continuing processing delays and backlogs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

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