On March 27, 2020, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced additional measures taken to help reduce the implications of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on petitioners and applicants responding to requests for evidence (RFEs) and notices of intent to deny (NOID).

Petitioners and applicants who receive an RFE or NOID between March 1 and May 1, 2020 may submit their RFE and NOID responses within 60 calendar days after the response deadline set in their RFE and NOID notices. USCIS will consider these responses before any action is taken. In summary, this means that those who receive an RFE or NOID between March 1 and May 1 will be given an additional 60 calendar days to submit their responses. As always it is important to begin preparing responses as early as possible in the event unforeseen circumstances happen. USCIS is granting this leniency for those who may file later than expected.

USCIS announced in the same public correspondence that it will be adopting several measures to protect its workforce and community and to minimize immigration consequences for those seeking immigration benefits during this time. As more news develops, we at International Legal and Business Services Group, LLP will continue to monitor and provide you with up-to-date developments.

Related:

https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-announces-flexibility-requests-evidence-notices-intent-deny