USCIS Issues Updated Versions of Many Forms Used for Family and Employment Immigration Applications

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:

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.