USCIS Issues Policy Update on Timeframes for Paper-Based Filings and Responses Ending on Saturdays, Sundays, or Federal Holidays
USCIS is updating the USCIS Policy Manual to address situations when the last day to file a benefit request or respond to a USCIS action falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday. In these situations, USCIS will consider a filing or response submitted on paper timely if we receive it by the end of the next business day. While the receipt date will continue to reflect the date USCIS physically received the request, USCIS will consider the benefit request timely filed.
In some cases, benefit requestors must file a benefit request or submit a response within a filing period prescribed by statute, regulation, or form instructions. Examples include filing a paper-based benefit request on the last day before a requestor’s or beneficiary’s birthday or the last day of a qualifying time period for filing, or responding to a Request for Evidence or a notice of intent to deny, rescind, revoke or terminate within the specified timeframe for a response.
This guidance will apply to all benefit requests and responses to Requests for Evidence and notices of intent to deny, rescind, revoke, or terminate pending or received by USCIS on paper on or after March 29, 2023. This update does not affect electronic filings or responses submitted electronically, which we consider received immediately upon submission. USCIS is not applying this policy retroactively.
Background
In some cases, benefit requestors must file a benefit request within a filing period prescribed by statute, regulation, or form instructions. USCIS considers a benefit request “received” on the date we physically or electronically receive it. The agency is pursuing several ways to increase flexibility related to filing deadlines, including this Policy Manual update. Please visit the Policy Manual Feedback page to provide feedback on this update.
For more information on USCIS and our programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
|
