emigration

The Office of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented a new fee payment procedure for filing applications in person.

This change seeks to simplify the process for most applicants, their legal representatives and attorneys, allowing payments to be made remotely or by mail instead of going in person to local offices.

Under the new guidelines, applicants have the option of sending a check or completing Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, along with their application for benefits, by mail to the appropriate local office.

It is crucial that applicants and their legal representatives carefully review the submission instructions to ensure that the application form can be submitted by mail or remotely, as well as to ensure that it is forwarded to the appropriate location.

In the event of incorrect submissions, USCIS will return the application to the sender so it can be forwarded to the appropriate office. This new process, by eliminating the need to schedule an in-person appointment, is intended to streamline the process and save time and money for applicants who are required to pay these fees.

New online tools

Additionally, attorneys and legal representatives now have the option to process payments for the submission of Form EOIR-29, Notice of Appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals regarding a decision of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through a link provided by USCIS in emails or text messages from the Contact Center.

Once payment is complete, attorneys and legal representatives should mail their client’s EOIR-29, along with forms EOIR-2 and EOIR-27, as well as the Pay.gov receipt, to the appropriate local office.

It is important to note that Emergency Advance Parole (EAP) applications, filed using Form I-131, still require a prior appointment with the USCIS Contact Center. In these cases, applicants must personally submit their complete application package, including the form and supporting documentation, and pay the applicable fee, either by Form G-1450 or check, to the local office.

This change in the fee payment process reflects USCIS’ commitment to streamlining its services and facilitating access to immigration benefits efficiently and conveniently for all applicants and their representatives.