United States | DHS issues rule authorizing USCIS to require e-filing for certain immigration benefit requests

The Department of Homeland Security issued an interim final rule establishing a framework that authorizes U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to require electronic filing (e-filing) for certain immigration benefit requests. The rule is in effect as of Aug. 11, 2026.

Key takeaways:

The rule authorizes USCIS to mandate e-filing for eligible forms after they have been available electronically for at least 180 days.

The rule does not immediately make all immigration benefit requests electronic-only but instead establishes the regulatory authority and process USCIS may use to impose future form-specific e-filing requirements.

Before a filing requirement becomes mandatory, USCIS will provide notice on its website and offer a 60-day grace period for affected requestors.

The interim final rule is available for comment until Oct. 13, 2026.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

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