USCIS Preparing to Resume In Person Services on June 4

USCIS is preparing some domestic offices to reopen and resume public services on or after June 4, 2020. Due to the social distancing rules that will still be in place, USCIS offices will schedule fewer appointments per day to ensure sufficient space for the visitors and the officers. Applicants should anticipate longer wait times for their appointment to be rescheduled given the backlog.

Information on the different offices, new procedures, and guidelines are below:

Asylum Offices

USCIS will automatically reschedule asylum interviews that were cancelled during the office closures. In accordance with social distancing guidelines, and due to the length of asylum interviews, asylum offices expect to conduct video-facilitated asylum interviews, where the applicants sit in one room and the interviewing officer sits in another room. Asylum offices will use available technology, including mobile devices provided by the agency, to ensure that the officer, applicant, interpreter and representative can fully and safely participate in the interview while maintaining social distancing.

When USCIS reschedules the interview, asylum applicants will receive a new interview notice with the new time, date and location for the interview and information about safety precautions. All immediate and dependent family members of the main asylum applicant are still required to attend the interview. Interpreters and representatives can still attend the interview. For more information on asylum and other humanitarian relief, please click here.

Naturalization Ceremonies

USCIS will send notices to applicants to reschedule postponed naturalization ceremonies. The ceremonies may be shorter to limit exposure to those in attendance. Instead of playing videos during naturalization ceremonies, attendees will receive a flyer with information and links directing them to the videos on the USCIS website. Under the shortened format, all legally required portions of the ceremony will take place. For more information on citizenship requirements, please click here and here.

Interviews and Appointments

USCIS will send notices to applicants and petitioners with previously scheduled appointments and interviews. Visitors are limited to the applicant, one representative, one family member and one individual providing disability accommodations. Interpreters are not permitted to attend in person and must be arranged for on the phone. To learn more about employment based green card interviews, please click here. To learn more about marriage based green card interviews, please click here.

Application Support Centers

USCIS will automatically reschedule any necessary ASC appointments that were cancelled due to the temporary office closure. Individuals will receive a new appointment letter in the mail with specific safety requirements.

Guidelines for Entering USCIS Facilities

• Visitors may not enter a USCIS facility if they:
  • Have any symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever or difficulty breathing;
  • Have been in close contact with anyone known or suspected to have COVID-19 in the last 14 days; or
  • Have been individually directed to self-quarantine or self-isolate by a health care provider or public health official within the last 14 days.
• Visitors may not enter the facility more than 15 minutes prior to their appointment (30 minutes for naturalization ceremonies).
• Hand sanitizer will be provided for visitors at entry points.
• Members of the public must wear facial coverings that cover both the mouth and nose when entering facilities. Visitors may be directed to briefly remove their face covering to confirm identity or take their photograph. There will be markings and physical barriers in the facility; visitors should pay close attention to these signs to ensure they follow social distancing guidelines.
• Individuals are encouraged to bring their own black or blue ink pens.

You can find key immigration information related to the Corona Virus below

• Top 10 Covid-19 Immigration Questions
• Implications of Layoffs for employers who have employees on H-1B and/or E-3 Visas
• USCIS announces flexibility for request for evidence (RFE) and Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID)
• Information on Consular closures during Covid-19
• USCIS issues guidance on Remote 1-9 verification during Covid-19
• USCIS office closures due to Covid-19
• Can I apply for Unemployment Insurance Benefits while on a Visa?
• Canada/U.S. Border Closures
• USCIS announces temporary suspension of premium processing
• What can you do if your ESTA is running out? 
• Travel Ban for Europe
• Stimulus Bill (All 800 pages)
• Information on Small Business Loans related to the Stimulus package
• USCIS to accept scanned/reproduced signatures instead of “wet” signatures on immigration petitions and forms
• Implications of furlough or termination if you are on a TN visa
• Does the Stimulus Bill impact my immigration status? Is there a public charge concern?
• Understanding the Stimulus Package for Small Businesses and the Paycheck Protection Program
• Small Business Administration COVID-19 Loans
• USCIS to Reuse Previously Submitted Biometrics to Process Work Permit Applications
• USCIS Temporary Office Closure Extended Until at least May 3
• SBA Loans and Public Charge Rules – Paychecks Loan Program and Economic Injury Disaster Relief Loan Program
• I am in the U.S. on H-1B visa and my employment was terminated due to the Corona virus outbreak. 
• I am in the U.S. on an E-2 visa, can I apply for loans under the Stimulus Bill?
• Does Covid-19 impact my obligations as an H-1B or E-3 Employer?
• I am in the U.S. on E-2 employee visa. Can I apply for unemployment benefits due to the Coronavirus?
• I want to decrease the salary of my H-1B employee, what is the process? 
• I am in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa and my employment was terminated due to the Corona virus outbreak.
• I am on an E-2 visa but cannot go back to my Consulate to Renew, what can I do? 
• I had to terminate the employment of an H-1B employee due to the Corona virus outbreak. What are my obligations as an H-1B Employer?
• If I get laid off or furloughed am I still eligible to get a green card?
• My status is running out and I cannot leave because of Corona Virus.
• Presidential Proclamation Suspends Some Immigrants from Entering the US for 60 Days but will have very limited Impact
• USCIS Extends Flexibility for Requests for Evidence and Notices of Intent to Deny
• I am in the U.S. on E-1 treaty trader/E-2 investor visa. Can I furlough my E-1/E-2 employees?
• I am unable to enter the U.S. due to the Corona virus outbreak. Will this impact my E-1 visa renewal?