UNITED24 - Make a charitable donation in support of Ukraine!

Homeland Security

Washington File

25 April 2003

U.S. Immigration Service Launches Online Applications

(Electronic filing option begins in May) (610)
The U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) will
offer electronic filing of certain application forms starting May 29.
BCIS, formerly the Immigration and Naturalization Service, issued a
fact sheet explaining the program April 25.
Following is the text of the fact sheet:
(begin fact sheet)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services
April 25, 2003
FACT SHEET: E-FILING AND OTHER BCIS SERVICES ONLINE 
Each year the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS)
receives approximately seven million applications for immigration
benefits. BCIS has now developed the technology to accept electronic
filing of certain applications for immigration benefits. This
technology improves both customer service and BCIS's ability to verify
the identity of individuals applying for these benefits thus applying
another layer of security to our immigration system. E-filing,
combined with the collection and storage of an applicant's digital
photograph, signature, and fingerprint, allow the BCIS to produce a
high quality immigration document with special security features.
Applications soon to be available for online filing are forms I-765
(Application for Employment Authorization) and I-90 (Application for
Replacement of Green Card). These two forms represent approximately
30% of the total number of benefit applications filed with BCIS
annually. BCIS plans to expand the E-filing initiative to cover all
BCIS forms over the next few years.
E-filing Applications
--E-filing is quick, easy and convenient for applicants because it
allows them, or their representatives, to complete and submit
applications at any time, from any computer with Internet access. Upon
completion of the e-filing session, customers will receive instant
electronic confirmation that the application was received. Customers
can then schedule an appointment to visit an Application Support
Center for collection of a digital photograph, signature, and
fingerprint.
--For those who file electronically, BCIS confirms the identity of the
customer early in the application process. BCIS also electronically
collects a photograph, signature, and fingerprint for the individual.
These biometrics are stored and can be used later for verification of
the person's identity.
--Customers, whose applications are approved, receive high quality
immigration documents with special security features produced from
BCIS' centralized card production facility.
--BCIS intends to add electronic filing capabilities for additional
forms in the Fall of 2003. Additional forms include: Form I-129,
Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker; Form I-131, Application for Travel
Document; Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker; Form I-539,
Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status; Form I-821,
Application for Temporary Protected Status; and Form I-907, Request
for Premium Processing.
--Filing instructions and eligibility information for e-filing are
available at www.bcis.gov.
Online Status Check
--Last year, the BCIS expanded its e-services by introducing "Case
Status Online". Customers who have a receipt number for an e-filed
application or an application or petition filed at a Service Center
can check the status of their pending case online through the website
www.bcis.gov and avoid prolonged waits on the phone or at a local
office.
--It is estimated that more than 30,000 customers take advantage of
this service every day. Those filing electronically will also be able
to take advantage of this remarkable service.
Forms Online
--The website also provides information and forms online for users to
download free of charge. Customers are able to print out the forms,
complete them and mail them to the appropriate office for
adjudication.
--Today, the online form catalog is the most used feature of the BCIS
Website, with almost 1 million of the nearly 2.8 million visitors per
month downloading forms.
(end fact sheet)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)



NEWSLETTER
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list