Anyone preparing an immigration-related application should double check that the form they're using hasn't changed.
Nolo doesn't ordinarily post an update for users of its books and other products whenever U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) creates an updated version of a form. However, on December 23, 2016, the agency without warning issued new versions of many of the major, most commonly used forms.
What's more, it declared that prior versions of the form would not be accepted (an unusual move; USCIS usually provides a grace period during which it will accept an old version of the form). Immigration advocates complained, and USCIS has softened its stance and said it will accept the older versions, with the exception of Form N-400, until February 21, 2017.
The safest thing to do, however, if you're working on a petition or application and haven't yet finished it, is to get the latest version of the form and use that instead. (This is true even if you were applying for designation as a civil surgeon able to perform immigration-related examinations!)
And don't forget that you MUST pay the new fees that went into effect December 23, 2016.
Here are the affected forms:
- I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
- I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document
- I-129. Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
- I-129CW, Petition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker
- I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)
- I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- I-131, Application for Travel Document
- I-131A, Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation)
- I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
- I-191, Application for Relief Under Former Section 212(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
- I-192, Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant
- I-212, Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the United States After Deportation or Removal
- I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion
- I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant
- I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
- I-485 Supplement A, Supplement A to Form I-485, Adjustment of Status Under Section 245(i)
- I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur
- I-539, Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
- I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative
- I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition
- I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility
- I-601A, Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver
- I-612, Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (under Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended)
- I-690, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility
- I-694, Notice of Appeal of Decision Under Sections 245A or 210 of the Immigration and Nationality Act
- I-698, Application to Adjust Status from Temporary to Permanent Resident (Under Section 245A of the INA)
- I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence
- I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
- I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative
- I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country
- I-817, Application for Family Unity Benefits
- I-824, Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition
- I-910, Application for Civil Surgeon Designation
- I-924, Application For Regional Center Under the Immigrant Investor Program
- I-924A, Supplement to Form I-924
- I-929, Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigrant
- I-942, Request for Reduced Fee
- I-942P, Income Guidelines for Reduced Fees
- N-300, Application to File Declaration of Intention
- N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (Under Section 336 of the INA)
- N-400, Application for Naturalization
- N-470, Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes
- N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship
- N-600K Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322.
If you are using one of Nolo's books, and it contains line-by-line instructions for one of the forms above, be aware that the numbering or substantive contents may have changed. And if you are working with an attorney, expect possible delays as he or she awaits an updated version of the software used to create such forms on your behalf.
Effective date: Dec 28, 2016
