U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it has issued updated guidance to enhance the vetting of family-based immigrant visa petitions.

Key Points:

  • The update prioritizes verifying the authenticity of marriages and family relationships to ensure they meet legal standards.
  • The guidance consolidates existing policies on eligibility, documentation and adjudication of family-based petitions explaining how USCIS handles cases involving multiple or related petitions and outlines when interviews are required.
  • The guidance also details when approved petitions are routed to the State Department’s National Visa Center, especially if the beneficiary is found ineligible for adjustment of status.
  • USCIS clarifies when U.S. citizens, including military and government personnel stationed overseas, may file Form I-130 abroad for immediate relatives.
  • The update also affirms that approval of a family-based petition does not confer immigration status or protection from removal. USCIS may issue a Notice to Appear if the beneficiary is otherwise removable.
  • The guidance applies to all relevant petitions filed on or after Aug. 1, 2025, and supersedes prior instructions.

Additional Information: The updated USCIS Policy Manual can be found here.

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

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