On May 22, 2019, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) “announced a new strategy known as eProcessing to accelerate USCIS’s transition to a digital business model” [PDF version].
The USCIS described eProcessing as “a complete digital experience, from applying for a benefit, to communicating with USCIS, through receiving a decision on a case.”
The USCIS is transitioning to eProcessing over time. To start, “certain visitors for business, visitors for pleasure, and vocational students can now apply online to extend their stay in the United States” [see blog]. The USCIS plans to add additional nonimmigrant classifications in the near future. Applicants may confirm their eligibility to file for an extension of stay online at uscis.gov.i539online. Eligible applicants may file the Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status online with their USCIS account.
The USCIS plans to create official digital immigration records. This promises to “give USCIS officials faster access to applicant data” and give applicants access to “a more responsive and effective USCIS.”
We will update the site with more information about eProcessing as it becomes available. If the initiative proves effective, it promises to improve processing efficiency for a variety of USCIS forms. It is important to remember, however, that improvements in the USCIS’s online capability do not change substantive requirements for affected categories. Individuals with case-specific questions should consult with an experienced immigration attorney.
