Information contained in this publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of an attorney.
The Department of Homeland Security has published a final rule (pdf) amending the filing locations for a Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) or a Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant (Form I-360). Under the final rule, a petitioner living outside the United States can:
- mail the petition to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Chicago Lockbox, if he or she resides in a country without a USCIS office; or
- file the petition at a USCIS international office, if he or she resides in a country with a USCIS office.
Previously, if a petitioner lived in a country without a USCIS office, petitions could be accepted and approved by a consulate, and USCIS reimbursed the U.S. Department of State for processing those petitions. Establishing the Lockbox as a filing option is intended to save costs and increase efficiency.
Written comments on the rule will be accepted until July 18, 2011, and the rule’s effective date is August 15, 2011.
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