August 11, 2026: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is introducing an interim final rule (IFR) that allows U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to mandate electronic filing, or e-filing, for certain immigration forms.
Under this IFR, USCIS may require future filings of any immigration form that has been available for e-filing for at least 180 days to be submitted online. USCIS will notify the public on its website at least 60 days before requiring e-filing of a form. Filers must use an online account to submit an immigration form to USCIS, either by completing the form online or by uploading a PDF of the completed form and related evidence.
The new USCIS e-filing requirement does not specify how a waiver of the e-filing requirement can be submitted. Also, the new USCIS e-filing requirement assumes every applicant has a computer, scanner and knowledge to use such devices. Most immigrants have limited education and technology backgrounds and would not be able to meet the new USCIS e-filing requirement. This is another example of trying to exclude immigrants from applying for legal immigration benefits.
Currently, USCIS offers a limited number of forms for voluntary e-filing, including:
Form I-765, the application for employment authorization (for certain adjustment of status, student, and humanitarian EADs only);
Form I-129, the nonimmigrant worker petition (for H-1B, H-2A, E-1, E-2, R-1, and TN cases only);
Form I-140, the immigrant worker petition;
Form I-485, the application for adjustment of status to permanent residence;
Form I-90, the application to replace a permanent residence card; and
Form N-400, the application for naturalization.
USCIS currently offers two electronic filing options: online form completion and PDF upload, both through a personal myUSCIS account. Electronic filing options vary by form and case type, meaning that some forms and case types may only be eligible for one e-filing method. E-filing instructions also vary across forms and can be complex for certain case types, including Form I-485.
