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USCIS issues policy update on filings that fall on Saturdays, Sundays, fed holidays
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating its USCIS Policy Manual to address situations when the last day to file a benefit request or respond to a USCIS action falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday. In these situations, USCIS will consider a filing or response submitted on paper timely if we receive it by the end of the next business day. While the receipt date will continue to reflect the date USCIS physically received the request, USCIS will consider the benefit request timely filed.
In some cases, benefit requestors must file a benefit request or submit a response within a filing period prescribed by statute, regulation, or form instructions. Examples include filing a paper-based benefit request on the last day before a requestor’s or beneficiary’s birthday or the last day of a qualifying time period for filing, or responding to a Request for Evidence or a notice of intent to deny, rescind, revoke or terminate within the specified timeframe for a response.
This guidance will apply to all benefit requests and responses to Requests for Evidence and notices of intent to deny, rescind, revoke, or terminate pending or received by USCIS on paper on or after March 29, 2023. This update does not affect electronic filings or responses submitted electronically, which we consider received immediately upon submission. USCIS is not applying this policy retroactively.
In some cases, benefit requestors must file a benefit request within a filing period prescribed by statute, regulation, or form instructions. USCIS considers a benefit request “received” on the date we physically or electronically receive it. The agency is pursuing several ways to increase flexibility related to filing deadlines, including this Policy Manual update. (USCIS)
