Are visa petitions filed electronically or by mail
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) accepts visa petitions in both electronic and paper formats, depending on the type of petition and the petitioner's preference. Here are the general guidelines:
Electronic Filing (e-Filing):
- Most visa petitions, including Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker) and Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker), can be filed electronically through the USCIS Electronic Immigration System (ELIS).
- e-Filing is available for petitioners who have an account with USCIS Online Account Access.
- e-Filing allows for faster processing times, as it eliminates the need for paper documents and reduces the risk of errors.
- Some petitioners may be required to file electronically, such as those filing Form I-129 for H-1B, L-1, or O-1 nonimmigrant workers.
Paper Filing:
- Petitioners who do not have an account with USCIS Online Account Access or who are unable to file electronically can submit paper petitions.
- Paper petitions should be mailed to the correct USCIS address, which varies depending on the type of petition and the petitioner's location.
- Paper petitions may take longer to process than electronic filings, as they require manual processing and review.
Special Considerations:
- For Form I-129, petitioners filing for H-2B nonimmigrant workers must file electronically.
- For Form I-140, petitioners filing for Schedule A or National Interest Waiver (NIW) petitions must file electronically.
- Petitioners filing for Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, can only file electronically.
It's essential to check the USCIS website for specific filing instructions and requirements for each type of petition. Additionally, petitioners should ensure they have all necessary documents and information before submitting their petition, whether electronically or by mail.