Home/Policy/USCIS Updates Guidance on Untimely Filed Extension of Stay and Change of Status Requests

USCIS Updates Guidance on Untimely Filed Extension of Stay and Change of Status Requests

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Informational only, not legal advice. Confirm deadlines on the official notice or with a qualified professional.

USCIS updated its policy manual to allow discretionary excusal of late filings for extension of stay and change of status requests when delays result from extraordinary circumstances beyond the applicant's control. This provides relief to nonimmigrants who missed filing deadlines due to unforeseen events. The policy gives USCIS flexibility to consider individual hardship cases.
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced an update to its Policy Manual providing that USCIS, in our discretion and under certain conditions, may excuse a nonimmigrant’s failure to timely file an extension of stay or change of status request if the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the applicant or petitioner.

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