BCIS BEGINS OFFERING ONLINE FILING FOR TWO POPULAR IMMIGRATION FORMS
On May 29, 2003, the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) started accepting electronic filing (e-filing) of two of the most commonly submitted immigration forms ? the application used to renew or replace a "green card" (Form I-90) and the Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765). Together, both forms represent approximately 30 percent of the 7 million applications filed with the Bureau every year. The following is a list of FAQs released by the BCIS:
Electronic Filing (E-Filing) Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is electronic filing (e-filing)?
A. Electronic filing, or e-filing, is the filing of an electronic document on a website via the Internet. The BCIS website currently provides two types of on-line applications that may be completed and submitted through the website www.bcis.gov.
Q. Who is eligible to participate in e-filing?
A. Currently, Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, can be e-filed. Thousands of applicants will be eligible to take advantage of this new process. It is estimated that 750,000 people file Form I-90 each year to renew or replace their "green card". It is also estimated that 1.75 million people file for Employment Authorization, Form I-765, each year. These applications make up approximately 30% of our workload. However, some applicants will not have the option of filing electronically. Details are provided in each form's E-filing Instructions and Eligibility Information, which are accessible at www.bcis.gov. For individuals who cannot e-file, or for those who choose not to e-file, the BCIS will continue to accept paper applications.
Q. Will other forms be available for e-filing?
A. The BCIS is already working on six other forms that should be ready for e-filing in the future.
� Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker;
� Form I-131, Application for Travel Document;
� Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker;
� Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status;
� Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status;
� Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing.
Additional, high-volume forms will be added in the future.
Q. If I already filed a Form I-90 or Form I-765 before the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) transitioned to the BCIS, do I have to submit another form?
A. No. Any form you previously filed with the INS is acceptable and you do not have to file another form now that the INS has transitioned to the BCIS. Furthermore, the eligibility criteria for all immigration benefits remain unaffected by the transition.
Q. How do applicants pay the fee associated with these two forms?
A. Customers will now be able to pay the fees associated with these applications online through the electronic transfer of U.S. funds from their checking or savings accounts. At this time customers cannot pay application fees with a credit card. The BCIS plans to start accepting credit card payments later this year.
Q. What is the Confirmation Receipt notice?
A. After electronic filing is complete, the applicant receives electronic confirmation that the application was received. This notice is titled "Confirmation Receipt." The Confirmation Receipt notice provides a unique Receipt Number for the application filed. The Confirmation Receipt notice does not mean that the application was approved, but it does provide proof that the application was filed. A paper receipt, Form I-797, will be mailed to the applicant after filing. It will contain essentially the same information, including the same Receipt Number. This Receipt Number can be used to check the status of their pending case using the Case Status Service Online system found at .
-To be Continued
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