WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new strategy known as eProcessing to accelerate USCIS’ transition to a digital business model. eProcessing will be a complete digital experience, from applying for a benefit, to communicating with USCIS, through receiving a decision on a case.
As a first step, certain visitors for business, visitors for pleasure, and vocational students can now apply online to extend their stay in the United States. Additional classifications are coming soon.
eProcessing connects previously separate technology systems within the agency to ultimately improve decision timeliness, increase transparency during the application process, and to accelerate the availability of online filing for all immigration benefits.
Each year, USCIS receives more than 8 million requests for immigration benefits. Improvements to USCIS technology will continue to enable more applicants to submit many of these requests online.
“One of my priorities is to accelerate the modernization of our nation’s lawful immigration system,” said USCIS Director L. Francis Cissna. “eProcessing modernizes USCIS’ work to create a paperless solution that is more effective for applicants, our officers, and our partner agencies.”
USCIS will create official digital immigration records through this fully modernized process of applying for immigration benefits. From application to decision, eProcessing will give USCIS officials faster access to applicant data. Applicants will encounter a more responsive and effective USCIS.
Applicants may confirm their online filing eligibility at uscis.gov/i539online, and then file Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status online with their USCIS account.
