United States immigration forms change regularly, which is why it is important to always check for the latest versions of the forms you need. Submitting older versions can delay your application or can mean that your petition is rejected. In the past six months, for example, a number of changes have been made to the following United States immigration forms:
1) Form AR-11 (Change of Address) and Form AR-11 SR (Alien’s Change of Address). These two forms have a new filing location. From 1 April 2011, these forms will now have to be sent to the Harrisonburg File Storage Facility.
2) Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver). This is a new form, introduced by the USCIS, which will allow applicants to apply for immigration-benefit processing. The new form is more standardized and was introduced in November 2010.
3) Form N-648 (Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions). This form is used to exempt disabled naturalization applicants from certain eligibility requirements. The form has been revised to make it simpler for medical professionals and others to fill out the form for applicants. A new interpreter section of the form is now available and as a result of the revisions the form can be filed electronically. As well, the revisions ensure that the requirements of the form are clearer. As a result of the changes, medical professionals will no longer need to evaluate an applicant’s daily activities when completing USCIS Form N-648.
4) Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker). This form has been revised to include more questions so that USCIS can better determine a worker’s eligibility.
5) Form I-129S (Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition). This form was revised in late 2010 to include additional questions which will help the USCIS ascertain whether an applicant needs to submit an additional $2,250 when filing the form.
6) Form I-212 (Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the United States After Deportation or Removal). This form was revised in late 2010 to make it easier for applicants to understand the process of re-entry into the US after removal or deportation.
Changes to immigration forms are announced on the USCIS website. Applicants will want to check the site before submitting an application to ensure that no new changes will affect their petition process.
