USCIS Updates Filing Addresses for Some I-129 Petitions
Though no formal announcement was made, USCIS has updated the direct filing addresses for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. Specifically, changes were made on the USCIS webpage for the filing addresses for H-1B cap-exempt petitions for extension of stay, change of status, concurrent employment, consular notification, and amended petitions, excluding those filed for H-1B cap-exempt entities, H-1B cap-exempt petitions based on a Conrad/IGA waiver or Guam, and all H-1B1, H-1B2, and H-1B3 petitions.
Petitions listed on the USCIS webpage under “Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker,” under the dropdown box entitled, “All Other H-1B Petitions (H-1B extension of stay, change of status, concurrent employment, POE/PFI/consular notification, and amended petitions),” are now accepted at:
- California Service Center (CSC),
- Nebraska Service Center (NSC),
- Texas Service Center (TSC), and
- Vermont Service Center (VSC)
For more information, view the announcement from USCIS.
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USCIS Closes 13 of 20 International Offices
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced plans to close all but 7 of its international field offices before August 2020. The plan stated the seven field offices remaining will be the following:
- Beijing, China;
- Guangzhou, China;
- Nairobi, Keya;
- New Delhi, India;
- Guatemala City, Guatemala;
- Mexico City, Mexico; and
- San Salvador, El Salvador.
The first closures are planned to take place at the end of September at the Monterrey, Mexico and Seoul, South Korea field offices. Acting Director of USCIS, Ken Cuccinelli stated the remaining 11 offices will close on a staggering schedule. The responsibilities held by these offices are planned to be shifted to domestic offices or to USCIS domestic staff who are abroad temporarily on assignment. The United States Department of State (DOS) will shoulder the burden of providing in-person services currently provided by USCIS at these international field offices.
For more information, view the announcement from USCIS and the article from Law 360.
Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk.