USCIS’ Pandemic Signature Policy is Now Permanent

/

On July 25, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it is extending certain COVID-19-related flexibilities through Oct. 23, 2022, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors.  

In particular, USCIS is evaluating which of the pandemic-era flexibilities should remain permanent, and due to this, the “reproduced signature” flexibility announced in March 2020, will become permanent policy on July 25, 2022.  Under this policy, USCIS has been accepting petitions and applications with “electronically reproduced signatures”, meaning a scan, fax, photocopy, or similarly reproduction of a document provided that the copy must be of an original document containing an original handwritten signature, unless otherwise specified.  USCIS may, at any time, request the original documents, which if not produced, could negatively impact the adjudication of the immigration benefit.

Additionally, USCIS is extending response deadline flexibilities through Oct. 23, 2022. USCIS will continue to consider a response received within 60 calendar days after the due date set forth in the following requests or notices before taking any action, if the request or notice was issued between March 1, 2020, and Oct. 23, 2022, inclusive:

  • Requests for Evidence;

  • Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14);

  • Notices of Intent to Deny;

  • Notices of Intent to Revoke;

  • Notices of Intent to Rescind;

  • Notices of Intent to Terminate regional centers;

  • Notices of Intent to Withdraw Temporary Protected Status; and

  • Motions to Reopen an N-400 Pursuant to 8 CFR 335.5, Receipt of Derogatory Information After Grant.

In addition, USCIS will consider a Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion, or a Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (Under Section 336 of the INA), if:

  • The form was filed up to 90 calendar days from the issuance of a decision USCIS made; and

  • USCIS made that decision between Nov. 1, 2021, and Oct. 23, 2022, inclusive.

Under these flexibilities, USCIS considers a response received within 60 calendar days after the due date set forth in the following requests or notices before taking any action, if the request or notice was issued between March 1, 2020, and Oct. 23, 2022