USCIS Lockbox Delays

On January 8, 2021, the USCIS reported [link] that it is experiencing delays issuing receipts for some applications and petitions filed at a USCIS lockbox facility.

The USCIS cautions customers that “[a]s a result of COVID-19 restrictions, an increase in filings, current postal service volume, and other external factors, you may experience a delay of four to six weeks in receiving your receipt notice after properly filing an application or petition with a USCIS lockbox.” The USCIS advises that “[t]hese delays will not affect the receipt date which is determined [under] 8 CFR 103.2(a)(7).”

The USCIS warned of especially significant delays for those who filed non-family based Forms I-485 or Forms I-765 on eligibility categories relating to F1 students.

The USCIS advises customers to file their forms online if the form in question is amenable to online filing. For filers who have to use a USCIS lockbox facility, the USCIS suggests completing the Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, and clipping it to the front of the form in question when filing at a USCIS lockbox in order to request a text message and/or email when the USCIS accepts the form.