The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a interim final rule letting U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) mandate electronic filling for certain immigration benefit requests. The rule became effective August 11, 2026 but DHS will continue to accept comments until October 13, 2026.
This rule doesn’t immediately make any forms available online-only. Instead, this rule establishes the process USCIS must follow before forms are electronic submission only. After a form has been available for e-filing for at least 180 days, USCIS may make that form e-only mandatory, but USCIS must provide at least 60 days notice on its website before the e-only requirement goes into effect for that form.
Once a form becomes mandatory e-filing, applicants will submit the form through their USCIS online account and either fill out the form online or upload a PDF of a completed form along with their evidence.
According to the DHS, “The paperless initiative takes USCIS away from depending on the legacy lockbox system and accelerates its transition to electronic fee payments.” DHS also said it expects the transition to save money, reduce adjudication backlogs and enhance fraud detection and national security vetting by allowing USCIS to access the data sooner.
We’ll be watching to see which forms USCIS actually targets first, and we’ll flag it here as soon as any new e-filing mandates are announced.
As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, it’s particularly critical you get the right advice.