From the USCIS website: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-extends-covid-19-related-flexibilities
More news about the impact of Covid-19 on immigration: https://www.jackson-hertogs.com/employer-resources/covid-19-immigration-impacts/
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the flexibilities to assist applicants and petitioners who are responding to certain:
- Requests for Evidence;
- Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14);
- Notices of Intent to Deny;
- Notices of Intent to Revoke;
- Notices of Intent to Rescind and Notices of Intent to Terminate regional investment centers; and
- Filing date requirements for Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion.
Notice/Request/Decision Issuance Date:
This flexibility applies to the above documents if the issuance date listed on the request, notice or decision is between March 1, 2020 and Oct. 23, 2022, inclusive.
Response Due Date:
USCIS will consider a response to the above requests and notices received within 60 calendar days after the response due date set in the request or notice before taking action. USCIS will consider a Form I-290B received up to 60 calendar days from the date of the decision before it takes any action.
Reproducted Signature Policy Now Permanent
In addition, in the same news update, USCIS announced that the reproduced signature flexibility initially announced in March, 2020, will become a permanent policy on July 25, 2022. As a reminder, the signature flexibility policy allows that “a document may be scanned, faxed, photocopied, or similarly reproduced provided that the copy must be of an original document containing an original handwritten signature,” and requires that “individuals or entities that submit documents bearing an electronically reproduced original signature must also retain copies of the original documents containing the “wet” signature. USCIS may, at any time, request the original documents, which if not produced, could negatively impact the adjudication of the immigration benefit.”
