On October 8, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new option for applicants seeking an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Eligible individuals can now upload a completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, in PDF format using their USCIS online accounts. Along with the form, applicants can also submit the necessary supporting evidence electronically. Additionally, applicants who are eligible for a fee waiver can submit Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, using this new PDF filing option. This marks the first time USCIS is accepting electronically filed fee waiver requests through their online system.
Initially, this new PDF submission method is only available for certain categories of applicants filing Form I-765. These categories include:
– (a)(12): Individuals who have been granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
– (c)(8): Applicants with a pending asylum application filed on or after January 4, 1995
– (c)(9): Family-based and employment-based applicants with a pending adjustment of status under Section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
– (c)(11): Parolees
– (c)(19): Individuals with a pending initial TPS application who USCIS determines are prima facie eligible for TPS and can receive an EAD as a “temporary treatment benefit.”
However, there is a specific condition for applicants under the (c)(9) Pending Adjustment of Status category. If the applicant is fee exempt, they should not use the PDF filing option at this time. Those applying under the (c)(9) category are either required to pay a fee or submit a fee waiver request. If an applicant mistakenly pays the fee and submits their application via PDF when they are fee exempt, USCIS will not issue a refund. Instead, fee-exempt applicants should mail their paper Form I-765 to the address listed on the Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-765 section of the USCIS website to ensure they receive the fee exemption.
The following (c)(9) categories are exempt from paying the filing fee for Form I-765:
– Special Immigrant Juveniles seeking to adjust their status
– T nonimmigrants seeking to adjust status under INA section 245(l)
– Individuals seeking adjustment of status as Special Immigrant Iraqi or Afghan nationals
– Applicants seeking adjustment of status as abused spouses and children under the Cuban Adjustment Act or the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act
– U nonimmigrants seeking to adjust status under INA section 245(m)
– Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioners, including derivatives
– Refugees, persons paroled as refugees, or lawful permanent residents who obtained their status as refugees
For those who use the new PDF filing option, the case management process will be the same as for those who submit their applications through the existing e-filing system. This includes access to case status updates, receiving Requests for Evidence (RFEs), and obtaining decision notices through the USCIS online account. Despite the introduction of this PDF filing option, applicants still have the option to submit their applications via mail by sending paper-based application packages to USCIS.
The introduction of the PDF filing option is part of USCIS’s efforts to enhance the customer experience, aligning with the Executive Order on Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government. The order aims to improve public service delivery, and USCIS’s move to offer more digital services is a reflection of that goal.
In the coming months, USCIS plans to expand the PDF filing option to allow attorneys and accredited representatives to file applications on behalf of their clients. Additionally, USCIS is expected to expand the option to include more types of forms, broadening the scope of this filing method.
USCIS regularly holds “Tech Talks,” providing updates and answering questions related to their online account system. Applicants or legal representatives who wish to ask questions about online filing can participate in these discussions by submitting inquiries through the provided link or by emailing [email protected].
USCIS also urges applicants to be cautious of immigration scams. The agency advises individuals seeking legal advice on immigration matters to ensure the person assisting them is authorized to offer legal advice. For information on avoiding scams and staying protected, individuals can visit the “Avoid Scams” section of the USCIS website.
For those seeking more information on USCIS and its programs, additional resources can be found on the agency’s official website (uscis.gov). USCIS also maintains an active presence on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn, where they provide timely updates on programs, services, and changes to immigration policies.
This new filing option represents a step forward in modernizing the U.S. immigration system, providing greater convenience for applicants and improving overall efficiency. By offering both PDF and traditional paper-based filing options, USCIS is ensuring flexibility for applicants with varying technological capabilities or preferences. While this option is currently limited to specific categories of applicants, the planned expansion indicates that USCIS is committed to making the immigration process more streamlined and user-friendly.
Overall, this initiative demonstrates USCIS’s efforts to embrace digital tools and modernize its operations, allowing applicants to navigate the immigration system more easily. As more individuals transition to the digital platform, USCIS continues to offer support and guidance to ensure that the process remains accessible to all. The new PDF filing option is another example of how government agencies are working to adapt to the needs of their customers in an increasingly digital world.