General policyPOLICY UPDATE
Emergencies or Unforeseen Circumstances
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to provide comprehensive guidance on certain flexibilities USCIS may exercise during and after emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.
Effective date and application
This guidance, contained in Volume 1 of the Policy Manual, is effective immediately
Key changes
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to provide comprehensive guidance on certain flexibilities USCIS may exercise during and after emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.
- Draws upon previously issued event-specific guidance on certain flexibilities available during an emergency or unforeseen circumstance relating to extensions of stay and changes of status, employment authorization, document replacement, failure to respond to a request for evidence, fee waivers, expedited processing, and satisfactory departure.
- Provides guidance on specific flexibilities available in times of emergencies or unforeseen circumstances and clarifies where USCIS may exercise discretion to grant flexibilities.
