The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS or CIS) is the agency which grants (or denies) applications for green cards, US citizenship and applications for extensions and changes of temporary status.
The CIS website provides thousands of pages of information regarding how to obtain immigration benefits. However, the website is so complex that it is sometimes difficult to find the information that you are looking for. We have spent many hours locating and linking to the most useful information on the CIS website.
We hope that the links below help you to find the information that you are looking for.
The CIS allows you to check the status of your case online, download all immigration forms without charge; determine the filing fees of immigration petitions and applications; explains immigration services and benefits programs; provides you with the functions, jurisdiction and contact information of each of the agency’s field offices; directs you to immigration laws, regulations and policies; and links to press releases, fact sheets and FAQs.
You can stay up-to-date with the waiting times in the Visa Bulletin and other immigration news by subscribing to our Free E-Mail Newsletter.
Client Reviews
It Was Worth Every Penny
“Our experience with the Law Offices of Carl Shusterman began with a phone conference with Mr. Shusterman himself, which lasted about an hour. We were assigned to the team of Attorney Jennifer Rozdzielski and Ana Cruz. The situation was not an easy one, and it took about three years and a myriad of paperwork to resolve. We got to know both Jennifer and Ana very well in the process. They stayed positive and kept us on track with all the papers and forms and documentation required. I have to say that we were treated like family, and they were excited when we finally achieved our dreams. We are so glad we chose them – it was worth every penny!!”
- James Baker, Portland, Oregon
Read More Reviews
Zoom Consultations Available!
The CIS website allows you to learn about green cards. You can get information on eligibility requirements, how to apply, and whether your family members can also apply with you.
You can learn about US citizenship. The Citizenship Resource Center has information about the important rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship, the naturalization process, and how to prepare for the test.
Many people want to come to the United States to work. Get information on the different application requirements and work options.
Our US Citizenship and Immigration Services page is divided into the following subtopics:
- General Information & Website
- News & Releases
- Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Reports on the CIS
Related Page:
GENERAL INFORMATION & USCIS WEBSITE
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that effective July 1, 2025, the SMS text messaging number will transition from 468-311 (GOV-311) to 872466 (USAIMM).
Dial 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833, VRS 877-709-5797) and ask your question in English or Spanish. The system will answer your question and can send you links to forms and information by email or text. If you can be helped through an online tool or other self-service, you will not be connected to live assistance.
- CIS Updates Filing Fees Based on H.R. 1 (7/18/25)
- CIS Filing Fee Schedule
- How to Pay the CIS Immigrant Fee
- Pay Your Filing Fee with a Credit Card
- Lockbox Filing Location Updates
- Immigration Relief in Emergencies or Unforeseen Circumstances
- Facebook Page
- My Appointment
- Office of Immigration Statistics (DHS)
- Policy Manual
- Determining a Benefit Requestor’s Legal Name (7-12-24)
- Settling in the United States
- YouTube Videos
- Overview of INS History
USCIS NEWS
-
- Update on USCIS’ Strengthened Screening and Vetting (3-30-26)
- The agency announced that it established procedures to lift benefit processing holds for certain individuals and groups, including individuals “vetted through Operation PARRIS,” certain petitions filed by U.S. citizens, intercountry adoption forms, certain rescheduled oath ceremonies, statutory and regulatory decision issuance, refugee registrations for South African citizens and nationals, certain special immigrant visa (SIV) petitions, certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), and asylum applications from non-high-risk countries.
- DHS Launches Landmark USCIS Fraud Investigation in Minnesota (1-9-26)
- The agency announced that it had commenced reexamining thousands of refugee cases approved between January 21, 2021, and February 20, 2025, through an operation called PARRIS (Post-Admission Refugee Reverification and Integrity Strengthening). The operation will initially focus on 5,600 refugees in Minnesota, and once those cases are complete, it will be expanded to other areas.
- Policy Memo: Hold & Review of Benefit Applications Filed by Aliens from Additional High-Risk Countries (1-1-26)
- Effective immediately, this memorandum directs agency personnel to:
1. Place a hold on all pending benefit applications, for aliens listed in Presidential
Proclamation (PP) 10998, Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To
Protect the Security of the United States, pending a comprehensive review, regardless of
entry date;
2. Conduct a comprehensive review of all policies, procedures, and screening and vetting
processes for benefit requests for aliens from countries listed in PP 10998; and
3. Conduct a comprehensive re-review of approved benefit requests implicated in PP 10998
that were approved on or after January 20, 2021.
- Effective immediately, this memorandum directs agency personnel to:
- DHS Ends the Abuse of the Humanitarian Parole Process and Terminates Family Reunification Parole Programs (12-12-25)
- Update on USCIS’ Strengthened Screening and Vetting (3-30-26)
* DHS published a Federal Register notice terminating all categorical Family Reunification Parole (“FRP”) processes for nationals of Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras and their immediate family members, with parole under these programs set to end no later than January 14, 2026. Individuals with a Form I 485 postmarked or e-filed by December 15, 2025, will retain parole until it expires or their adjustment application is finally adjudicated, and the DHS Secretary may determine exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
- CIS Establishes New Center to Strengthen Immigration Screening & Target Bad Actors (12-5-25)
- Hold & Review of all Pending Asylum Application & All Benefit Applications Filed by Aliens from High-Risk Countries (12-2-25)
- CIS Enhances Voter Verification Systems (11-3-25)
- States can now use SAVE to verify the citizenship of voters and voting registrants using the last four digits of the individual’s Social Security number rather than requiring the full nine digits.
- $1,000 Immigration Parole Fee Takes Effect (10-16-25)
- CIS to Add Special Agents with New Law Enforcement Authorities (9-5-25)
- Policy Memorandum: Reaffirming Guidance on Public Charge Inadmissibility Determinations (9-4-25)
- This reaffirms CIS’s commitment to applying a strict interpretation of statutory and regulatory language when determining inadmissibility under the public charge ground. The guidance primarily affects the adjudication of Form I-485.
- Policy Alert: Transition to Electronic Payments (8-29-25)
- CIS updated its policy to accept electronic payments though filing Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions, with applications, petitions, or requests. Starting October 28, 2025, USCIS will only accept ACH debit transactions using Form G-1650 or credit card payments using Form G-1450.
- Policy Alert: False Claim to U.S. Citizenship (8-20-25)
- Policy Alert: Rescission of CIS’s Statelessness Policy (6-5-25)
- On August 1, 2023, CIS issued policy guidance in the Policy Manual to address stateless aliens present in the United States. The 2023 guidance created a process for producing reports on statelessness that officers could use in determining statelessness, upon an officer’s request. To align with recent Executive Orders (EOs), CIS is rescinding the 2023 guidance. By rescinding the 2023 guidance, CIS removes an unnecessary bureaucratic process for making determinations and recognizes that a determination of statelessness is a finding of fact.
- DHS to Begin Screening Aliens’ Social Media Activity for Antisemitism (4-9-25)
- Alien Registration Form and Evidence of Registration (3-12-25)
CIS published an interim final rule (IFR) requiring individuals in the United States for 30 days or more to register their presence and provide fingerprints. The rule takes effect on April 11, 2025.
CIS is “is updating its NTA policy to address national security, public safety, and the overall
integrity of our immigration system through enforcement of the INA against inadmissible and
deportable aliens. Accordingly, USCIS will no longer exempt classes or categories of removable
aliens from potential enforcement, which includes referring cases to ICE and issuance of NTAs.”
- CIS Extends Green Card Validity Extension to 36 Months for Green Card Renewals (9-18-24)
- ICYMI: CIS Issues Guidance that Forms I-693 Signed on or After November 1, 2023, Do Not Expire (4-4-24)
- Historic Processing Time Trends 2016-24 (4-1-24)
- CIS Fee Schedule and Changes to Certain Other Immigration Benefit Request Requirements (1-31-24)
- CIS Issues Final Rule to Adjust Certain Immigration and Naturalization Fees (1-30-24)
- CIS Issues Guidance on Untimely Filed Extensions of Stay and Change of Status Requests (1-24-24)
- CIS Exempts the Form I-539 Biometrics Services Fee for All Applicants (9-25-23)
- DHS Issues Guidance for Stateless Noncitizens in the United States (8-1-23)
- CIS Launches Online Rescheduling of Biometrics Appointments (7-6-23)
- CIS Establishes New Virtual Service Center (3-30-23)
- CIS Announces Additional Mail Delivery Process for Receiving ADIT Stamp (3-16-23)
- USCIS Redesigns Green Card and Employment Authorization Document (1-30-23)
- CIS Releases FY 2023-26 Strategic Plan (1-27-23)
- CIS Proposed Regulation to Increase Filing Fees (1-4-23)
- CIS Issues Proposed Rule to Adjust Certain Immigration and Naturalization Fees (1-3-23)
- CIS Proposed Fee Increase FAQ (1-3-23)
- Fiscal Year 2022 Progress Report (12-7-22)
- Certain Afghan and Ukrainian Parolees Are Employment Authorized Incident to Parole (11-21-22)
- Fiscal Year 2022 Employment-Based Adjustment of Status FAQs
- CIS Extends COVID-19-related Flexibilities (10-24-22)
- CIS Extends COVID-19-related Flexibilities (7-25-22)
- CIS Simplifying, Improving Communication of Case Processing Data (5-5-22)
- CIS Increases Automatic Extension Period of Work Permits for Certain Applicants (5-3-22)
- CIS Announces New Actions to Reduce Backlogs, Expand Premium Processing, and Provide Relief to Work Permit Holders (3-29-22)
- USCIS Opens a New Lockbox Facility (2-10-22)
- Clarifying Guidance for O-1 Petitions with a Focus on STEM Fields (1-21-22)
- CIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests (12-30-21)
- COVID-19 Vaccination Required for Immigration Medical Examinations (9-14-21)
- Lockbox Filing Location Updates (9-3-21)
- Temporary Extension of I-693 Medical Examination from 2 to 4 Years (8-1-21)
- Biden-pick Ur Jaddou confirmed to head Citizenship and Immigration Services (7-30-21)
- CIS Expedite Criteria and Circumstances (6-09-21)
- Requests for Evidence and Notices of Intent to Deny (6-09-21)
- Employment Authorization for Certain Adjustment Applicants (6-09-21)
- CIS Temporarily Suspends Biometrics Requirement for Certain Form I-539 Applicants (5-13-21)
- DHS Announces Continuation of International Entrepreneur Parole Program (5-10-21)
- USCIS Issues Policy Guidance on Deference to Previous Decisions (4-27-21)
- CIS Extends of Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests (9-11-20)
- CIS Averts Furlough of Nearly 70% of Workforce (8-25-20)
- Pushes Back Furloughs until the end of August (7-24-20)
- Senators Call on USCIS to Postpone Planned Furloughs (7-21-20)
- Resumption of Premium Processing for Certain Petitions (5-29-20)
- USCIS is Running Out of Money – Requests $1.2 Billion Bailout (5-16-20)
- Ombudsman’s 2019 Annual Report to Congress (7-12-19)
- 2018 Statistical Annual Report (5-28-19)
- CIS Teleconference on Notice to Appear (NTA} Updated Policy Guidance (9-27-18)
- CIS to Begin Implementing New Policy Memorandum on Notices to Appear (9-26-18)
- Updated NTA Policy Guidance to Support DHS Enforcement Priorities (7-05-18)
- Memorandum Before the Justice Department and CIS re: Information Sharing and Case Referrals (5-11-18)
- CIS Expands Credit Card Payment Option for Fees (2-14-18)
- DHS Announces 18-Month Redesignation and Extension of Temporary Protected Status for Yemen (1-04-17)
- Previous Editions of Forms Accepted Until Feb. 21, 2017, but Must Include New Fees (12-29-16)
- Interim Rule on T Nonimmigrant Status (12-19-16)
- USCIS Message: Updates to Filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization (9-22-16)
- Temporary Protected Status Benefits Under Designations of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone Extended Six Months for Orderly Transition Before Termination in May 2017 (9-22-16)
- CIS Will Use Filing Chart for EB AOS in October (9-16-16)
- Proposed Rule to Welcome International Entrepreneurs (8-26-16)
- Response to Recommendations on Parole for Eligible U Visa Principal and Derivatives Petitioners Residing Abroad (8-18-16)
- CIS Stakeholder Session With Director Rodriguez (7-22-16)
- EB-4 Visa Limits Reached for Special Immigrants From Mexico (6-27-16)
- Employers May Submit Inquiries If EOS/COE Petition Has Been Pending for 210 Days or More (6-10-16)
