USCIS Announces Filing Location Change for Some Petitions and Applications

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that starting Nov. 1, 2023, certain petitions and applications must be filed at the Texas Service Center (TSC).  

Overview 

On Nov. 1, 2023, all H-2A and H-2B visa petitions, Form I-129CW petitions, and CNMI-related Form I-129 petitions must be filed directly at the Texas Service Center. Additionally, all related form I-539 applications must be filed at the Texas Service Center starting on Nov. 1, 2023.  

Previously, all H-2A, Form I-129CW petitions and CNMI-related Form I-129 petitions were filed at the California Service Center (CSC). All H-2B-related Form I-129 petitions were filed at either the CSC or the Vermont Service Center (VSC).  

To give applicants time to adjust to the new filing location, USCIS is offering a 60-day grace period for the petitions and applications noted above to be filed at the Texas Service Center. Petitions and applications filed at the California Service Center or the Vermont Service Center during the grace period will not be rejected.  

Looking Ahead  

Petitions and applications should still be filed at the California Service Center or the Vermont Service Center before Nov. 1, 2023. Petitions and applications that are received at the Texas Service Center before that date will be rejected.  

Please visit the USCIS website for more information about where to send petitions and applications at the Texas Service Center.  

Envoy is pleased to provide you with this information, which was prepared in collaboration with Joy Ang, who is a Partner at Corporate Immigration Partners, P.C., a U.S. law firm who provides services through the Envoy Platform (the “U.S. Law Firm”).    

Content in this publication is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. Envoy is not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. If you would like guidance on how this information may impact your particular situation and you are a client of the U.S. Law Firm, consult your attorney. If you are not a client of the U.S. Law Firm working with Envoy, consult another qualified professional. This website does not create an attorney-client relationship with the U.S. Law Firm.