USCIS Grants 30-Day Grace Period for Old Immigration Forms

USCIS Grants 30-Day Grace Period for Old Immigration Forms

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a 30-day grace period for the continued use of older versions of several key immigration forms, including applications for green cards and naturalization. This change comes in response to a federal lawsuit that contested the abrupt implementation of updated forms without prior warning.

Which Forms Are Included?

The temporary grace period applies to several commonly used immigration forms, such as:

• Form I-485 – Application to Adjust Status (Green Card)
• Form N-400 – Application for Naturalization
• Form I-485 Supplement A & J – For additional information and job offer details
• Form I-134 – Declaration of Financial Support
• Form I-192 – Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant
• Form G-325A – Biographic Information
• Form I-918 – Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status
• Form I-131 – Application for Travel Document

What Prompted the Policy Shift?

In January, USCIS released revised versions of these forms and initially required applicants to use them immediately. The lack of a transition period caused confusion and concern among both immigration attorneys and applicants, who feared processing delays or denials due to submitting outdated forms.

In response, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the law firm Benach Collopy LLP filed a federal lawsuit. They argued that the agency’s abrupt change unfairly affected applicants. Following the lawsuit, USCIS adjusted its policy and introduced a 30-day grace period during which both old and new versions of the forms will be accepted.

Key Changes in the New Forms

The updated forms include several notable changes:

• Language Revision: The term “alien” has been reintroduced, replacing “noncitizen,” marking a return to language used in earlier immigration policies.
• Gender Identification: The new forms only offer “male” and “female” as gender options, removing nonbinary and other gender-inclusive selections.

What Applicants Should Know

It’s crucial that applicants confirm they are using the correct version of their immigration forms. During the grace period, which applies to updates released on February 24, March 3, and March 4, both old and new versions will be accepted. After the 30 days, only the new editions dated January 20, 2025, will be valid.

To avoid delays or rejections, applicants and immigration professionals should regularly check the USCIS website for the latest form updates and deadlines.

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