USCIS will be able to make online filing mandatory for many forms
DHS has published a new rule called Mandatory Electronic Filing (e-Filing). It allows USCIS to require certain immigration forms to be filed only online through a USCIS online account.
The document is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on August 11, 2026, and will take effect on the date of publication. Public comments will be accepted for 60 days.
Important: this does not mean that all paper forms will disappear immediately. USCIS will be able to make online filing mandatory only for forms that have already been available for electronic filing for at least 180 days.
When USCIS decides to make online filing mandatory for a specific form, the agency must publish a notice on its website and give people another 60 days to transition.
E-filing will not only mean completing a form fully online. It may also include uploading a completed PDF file through a USCIS online account. In other words, USCIS will be able to require forms, evidence, documents, and correspondence to be submitted electronically through an approved USCIS method.
This may affect many popular forms that are already widely filed online, including I-765, I-589, I-821, I-130, N-400, I-90, and others.
For example, according to USCIS, in fiscal year 2025 more than 2.3 million I-765 forms, 766,000 I-821 forms, 275,000 I-589 forms, 423,000 I-130 forms, and 618,000 N-400 forms were filed online.
What to do if you cannot file online
USCIS is introducing a separate form: I-936 — Request for Waiver of E-Filing Requirement. Through this form, a person will be able to request permission to file on paper if online filing creates serious hardship.
The person will need to explain the reason and provide supporting evidence.
Simply saying “I do not know how to use a USCIS online account” will usually not be enough. USCIS will consider internet access, location, socioeconomic conditions, and the availability of public resources such as libraries or community centers.
If a person has an attorney or representative, it may be harder to obtain an exception.
USCIS sets a separate filing fee of $25 for Form I-936. For certain categories, including VAWA, T visa, U visa, and TPS, a fee waiver may be available for this fee.
If USCIS approves the waiver, permission to file on paper will be valid only for a short period of time: usually, the paper form must be received by USCIS within 33 calendar days from the date of the approval notice.
A separate I-936 will be required for each form.
What this means in practice
USCIS is gradually moving immigration forms online. This may speed up processing, reduce errors, and allow applicants to receive notices faster through their online accounts.
But for applicants, this also means that a USCIS online account is becoming almost an essential tool.
It will be especially important to monitor the official USCIS form pages. If a specific form becomes mandatory for online filing, a paper version submitted without an approved waiver may be rejected.
Bottom line: USCIS will gain the authority to gradually make online filing mandatory for immigration forms. This will not happen to all forms in one day, but the direction is clear: paper filing will increasingly become an exception, not the standard way to file.
Source: Federal Register Public Inspection PDF — Mandatory Electronic Filing (e-Filing).
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Translations are provided for convenience and may contain errors or omissions. For guidance on your specific situation, always consult official sources or a qualified attorney.
