USCIS will accept previous versions of Form I-90 for 45 days, until July 28, 2010.  After July 28, 2010, USCIS will reject all previous versions of Form I-90 and will return incorrect applications with a note instructing applicants to refile using the correct version of the form.

Form I-90 can be mailed to one of the designated USCIS lockbox facilities, or you may now file it online using the Internet.

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Beginning March 19, 2010 applicants will file their applications at the USCIS Vermont Service Center or at one of the USCIS Lockbox facilities.

The USCIS Service Centers will forward incorrectly filed Form I-131 applications to the USCIS Lockbox facilities for 30 days, until Monday, April 19, 2010.  After April 19, 2010, incorrectly filed applications will be returned to the applicant, with a note to send the application to the correct location.

© 2010, Thaker Berowitz LLP. All rights reserved.

If you relocate from your current residence to a new address, you are required to notify the USCIS of your new address within 10 days.

USCIS will only recognize an address that has been properly provided through Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card.  Form AR-11 can be filed online or it can be mailed in.

If you do not properly file a change of address form, USCIS will continue to send mail at your last known address on file.  USCIS cannot send mail to an address that it does not know about.  The only way it will know about a new address is if and when you file AR-11.

It is in your best interest to file the change of address form as soon as possible after any change in residences, so that you do not miss any important correspondence from the USCIS.  If you file AR-11 online through the USCIS website, you should print the confirmation email and keep it in a safe place as proof of submission of the form.  If you choose to mail Form AR-11 to the USCIS, you should send it via certified mail return receipt requested, so that you have proof of delivery.  This way, if the USCIS ever alleges that you failed to meet your obligation to file Form AR-11, and if your address ever becomes an issue of contention in the future (as it often does in immigration law where notice issues are involved), you will have proof that you notified the USCIS of your new address through Form AR-11!

Access Form AR-11 Online

Access Form AR-11 to prepare, print, and mail in!

© 2010, Thaker Berowitz LLP. All rights reserved.

In addition to a revised form, there are new filing locations.

Beginning February 25, 2010, most applicants must submit Form I-485 to a USCIS Lockbox facility, depending  on the eligibility category under which they are filing, as provided in the form instructions.  USCIS Service Centers will forward all Form I-485 applications to the appropriate Lockbox facility until March 29, 2010.  USCIS will accept previous versions of Form I-485 until March 29, 2010.

After March 29, 2010, USCIS will only accept the Form I-485 dated 12/03/09. Any previous versions of the the form that are submitted will be rejected. After the transitional period, the Service Centers will return any incorrectly filed Form I-485 with instructions to send the application to the correct location.

© 2010, Thaker Berowitz LLP. All rights reserved.

The new form is dated 12/30/09, and due to the changes, no previous versions of the form will be accepted 30 days after publication.

There are also new filing locations for Form I-360.

Beginning February 25, 2010, applicants must file a Form I-360 with either the Vermont Service Center, the Nebraska Service Center, or at a USCIS Lockbox facility.  Where applicable, USCIS Service Centers will forward Form I-360 petitions to the appropriate Lockbox facility until March 29, 2010.  After the transitional period, the Service Centers may return incorrectly filed Form I-360 with instructions to send the petition to the correct location.   USCIS will accept previous versions of Form I-360 until March 29, 2010.  After March 29, 2010, USCIS will reject previous versions of the form submitted.

© 2010, Thaker Berowitz LLP. All rights reserved.

Beginning February 24, 2010 applicants must now submit Form I-765 to one of the USCIS Lockbox facilities or the USCIS Vermont Service Center, based on the classification under which they are filing.  Detailed guidance can be found in updated Form I-765 instructions.

The Service Centers will forward incorrectly filed applications to the USCIS Phoenix and Dallas Lockbox facilities for the first 30 days, until March 26, 2010. After March 26, 2010, applications incorrectly filed at USCIS Service Centers will be returned to the applicant, with a note to send the application to the correct location.

© 2010, Thaker Berowitz LLP. All rights reserved.

The new form is dated 1/13/10.

© 2010, Thaker Berowitz LLP. All rights reserved.

The new form is dated 12/11/09.

The changes are part of an overall effort to transition the intake of benefit forms from USCIS local offices and Service Centers to USCIS Lockbox facilities.  Centralizing form and fee intake to a Lockbox environment allows USCIS to provide customers with more efficient and effective initial processing of applications and fees.

© 2010, Thaker Berowitz LLP. All rights reserved.

© 2010, Thaker Berowitz LLP. All rights reserved.