Due to difficulties and changes presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) initially announced in March of 2020 that it will make certain accommodations in regards to deadlines for requests for evidence, notices of intent, and notices of appeal or motion, as well as reproduced signature flexibilities. As those challenges persisted, USCIS extended the flexibilities several more times since then, and again announced on January 24, 2023 that certain COVID-19 accommodations will be extended through March 23, 2023.
As a result, USCIS will continue to consider a response received within 60 calendar days after the due date listed in the following requests or notices, if the request or notice was issued between March 1, 2020 and March 23, 2023, 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.
USCIS will also 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 March 23, 2023, inclusive.
As USCIS anticipates that this will be the final extension, applicants will need to comply with the response requirements listed in any request or notice dated after March 23, 2023. On the other hand, the reproduced signature flexibility that was announced as part of the COVID-19 related accommodations became a permanent policy on July 25, 2022. As a result, USCIS will continue accepting all benefit forms and documents with reproduced original signatures, including a scan, fax, or photocopy of an original “wet” signature.