USCIS Establishes Framework for Mandatory Electronic Filing of Immigration Forms

What’s Happening

On August 11, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) published an interim final rule authorizing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) to require electronic filing of certain immigration benefit requests. The rule is effective August 11, 2026.

Importantly, the rule does not immediately require electronic filing of any particular USCIS form. Instead, it establishes the process USCIS may use to mandate electronic filing in the future. According to USCIS, a form must have:

  1. Been available for electronic filing for at least 180 days before USCIS may make e-filing mandatory, and 

  2. USCIS must provide the public with at least 60 days’ advance notice on its website before the requirement takes effect.

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