USCIS Form Updates: January-March 2017

It is routine that U.S. immigration forms get updated from time to time. Whether new information is required or new are questions added or removed, applicants need to make sure that they submit the correct version of a form along with their application package. When filing an immigration application, it is paramount always to use the latest version of each form.

What forms were updated from January-March 2017?

The following is a comprised list of all the forms that were updated in the first trimester of 2017, as well as the correct versions you should send when filing an application.

> Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization (EAD Card), is used by nonimmigrants to request an employment authorization document, commonly known as EAD, to work in the U.S. . New edition dated 01/17/17. Previous editions should not be used.

> Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, is used to petition for an alien worker to become a permanent resident in the United States. New edition dated 01/17/17. Previous editions should not be used.

> Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, is for petitioners who file on behalf of a nonimmigrant worker to come temporarily to the United States to work or to receive training for the following visa categories:

• H-1B
• H-2A
• H-2B
• H-3
• L-1
• O-1
• O-2
• P-1
• P-1S
• P-2
• P-2S
• P-3
• P-3S
• Q-1; or
• R-1 nonimmigrant worker

Petitioners may also use this form to request an extension of stay or change of status for the following visa categories:

• E-1
• E-2
• E-3
• H-1B1; or
• TN; or
• one of the above classifications for a foreign national.

New edition dated 01/17/17. Previous editions dated 12/23/16, 08/13/15, 03/26/15 and 10/23/14 are also accepted. However, all filings postmarked 12/23/16 or later must include the correct fee of $460 USD.

> I-485 Supplement A to Form I-485, Adjustment of Status Under Section 245(i) I-485 Supplement A to Form I-485, Adjustment of Status Under Section 245(i), is used to provide additional information for those seeking to adjust status under the provisions of section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. New edition dated 01/17/17. Previous editions should not be used.

> Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, is used to apply to adjust the applicant’s status to that of a permanent resident of the United States. New edition dated 01/17/17. Previous editions should not be used.

> Form I-914, Application for T Nonimmigrant Status Form I-914, Application for T Nonimmigrant Status, is used to provide temporary immigration benefits to noncitizens who are victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons, and to their immediate family members, as appropriate. New edition dated 01/18/17. Previous editions should not be used.

> Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, is used to request deferred action for those who were brought into the country illegally as children. Individuals who receive deferred action will not be placed into removal proceedings or removed from the United States for a specified period of time. They will also receive a work permit. Individuals filing Form I-821D must also file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and Form I-765WS. New edition dated 01/09/17. Previous edition dated 06/04/14 is also accepted.

> Form I-942P, Income Guidelines for Reduced Fees Form I-942P, Income Guidelines for Reduced Fees, is used as an income guideline to complete Form I-942, Reduced Fee Request. To qualify for the reduced fee, household income must be greater than 150 percent and not more than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG). The Federal Poverty Guidelines are established by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services annually. New edition dated 02/06/17. Previous editions should not be used.

> Form I-130, Family-Based Green Card Form I-130, Family-Based Green Card, or Petition for Alien Relative, is used by either a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States to establish a relationship with noncitizen relatives to sponsor them so they can immigrate to the United States. Filing Form I-130 is the first step in helping a relative immigrate to the United States. New edition dated 2/27/17. Starting 04/28/17,only the 02/27/17 edition will be accepted. Until then, you can use the 12/23/16 edition. Now also available: new Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary for those sponsoring their husband or wife.

> Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, is used to report results of a medical examination to USCIS. The examination is required to establish that an applicant is admissible to the United States on public health grounds. Generally, all applicants filing for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident must submit Form I-693 completed by a designated civil surgeon. New edition dated 02/07/17. Starting 04/28/17, only the 02/07/17 edition will be accepted. Until then, you can use the 03/30/15 edition.

> Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, is used by those who need proof of citizenship. New edition dated 02/13/17. Starting 04/28/17, only the 02/13/17 edition will be accepted. Until then, you can use the 12/23/16 edition.

> Form N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322 Form N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322, is for a child who regularly resides in a foreign country to claim U.S. citizenship based on his or her parents. New edition dated 02/13/17. Starting 04/28/17, only the 02/13/17 edition will be accepted. Until then, you can use the 12/23/16 edition.

> Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status, serves to provide temporary immigration benefits to noncitizens who are victims of a qualifying criminal activity, and to their qualifying family members, as appropriate. New edition dated 02/07/17. Starting 05/12/17, only the 02/07/17 edition will be accepted. Until then, you can use the 01/15/13, 11/23/10 and 08/31/07 editions.

> Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative, is used to determine a child's eligibility for classification as a Convention adoptee. The U.S. citizen prospective adoptive parent files the petition to finalize the immigration process of a child who habitually resides in a Convention country. The petitioner must have an approved, valid Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country, to file Form I-800. New edition dated 03/10/17. Starting 05/19/17, only the 03/10/17 edition will be accepted. Until then, you can use the 12/23/16 edition.

> Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country For adjudicating the eligibility and suitability of the applicant(s) to adopt a child who habitually resides in a Hague Adoption Convention country. New edition dated 03/10/17. Starting 05/19/17, USCIS will only accept the 03/10/17 edition. Until then, you can use the 12/23/16 edition.

> Form I-363, Request to Enforce Affidavit of Financial Support and Intent to Petition for Legal Custody for Public Law 97-359 Amerasian Form I-363, Request to Enforce Affidavit of Financial Support and Intent to Petition for Legal Custody for Public Law 97-359 Amerasian, is used when, if after admission to the United States, the beneficiary of a petition for a Public Law 97-359 Amerasian requires enforcement of the guarantee of financial support and intent to petition for legal custody, executed by the beneficiary's sponsor. New edition dated 03/01/17. Starting 05/19/17, only the 03/01/17 edition will be accepted. Until then, you can use previous editions.

How do I know if I am sending the correct version of a specific form?

To make sure you are submitting the correct version of a form, simply check the bottom of the page where you will find the code name of the form followed by a date. The date shown reflects the date that particular form was last updated, or its edition date. To know if you are filing the correct form, check the edition date at the bottom.

Example of a form’s edition date located at the bottom of each of the form’s pages: