The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS or CIS) is the agency which grants (or denies) applications for green cards, US citizenship and applications for extensions and changes of temporary status.
The CIS website provides thousands of pages of information regarding how to obtain immigration benefits. However, the website is so complex that it is sometimes difficult to find the information that you are looking for. We have spent many hours locating and linking to the most useful information on the CIS website.
We hope that the links below help you to find the information that you are looking for.
The CIS allows you to check the status of your case online, download all immigration forms without charge; determine the filing fees of immigration petitions and applications; explains immigration services and benefits programs; provides you with the functions, jurisdiction and contact information of each of the agency’s field offices; directs you to immigration laws, regulations and policies; and links to press releases, fact sheets and FAQs.
You can stay up-to-date with the waiting times in the Visa Bulletin and other immigration news by subscribing to our Free E-Mail Newsletter.
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The CIS website allows you to learn about green cards. You can get information on eligibility requirements, how to apply, and whether your family members can also apply with you.
You can learn about US citizenship. The Citizenship Resource Center has information about the important rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship, the naturalization process, and how to prepare for the test.
Many people want to come to the United States to work. Get information on the different application requirements and work options.
Our US Citizenship and Immigration Services page is divided into the following subtopics:
- General Information & Website
- News & Releases
- Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Reports on the CIS
Related Page:
GENERAL INFORMATION & USCIS WEBSITE
- CIS Contact Center
- CIS Service and Office Locator
- CIS Filing Fee Schedule
- How to Pay the CIS Immigrant Fee
- Pay Your Filing Fee with a Credit Card
- Lockbox Filing Location Updates
- Case Inquiry
- Immigration Relief in Emergencies or Unforeseen Circumstances
- Facebook Page
- My Appointment
- Instagram (English)
- Instagram (Spanish)
- Office of Immigration Statistics (DHS)
- Policy Manual
- Determining a Benefit Requestor’s Legal Name (7-12-24)
- Twitter Page
- Settling in the United States
- YouTube Videos
- Overview of INS History
Dial 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833, VRS 877-709-5797) and ask your question in English or Spanish. The system will answer your question and can send you links to forms and information by email or text. If you can be helped through an online tool or other self-service, you will not be connected to live assistance.
USCIS NEWS
- CIS Launches Online PDF Filing Option (10-8-24)
- CIS Extends Green Card Validity Extension to 36 Months for Green Card Renewals (9-18-24)
- ICYMI: CIS Issues Guidance that Forms I-693 Signed on or After November 1, 2023, Do Not Expire (4-4-24)
- Historic Processing Time Trends 2016-24 (4-1-24)
- CIS Fee Schedule and Changes to Certain Other Immigration Benefit Request Requirements (1-31-24)
- CIS Issues Final Rule to Adjust Certain Immigration and Naturalization Fees (1-30-24)
- CIS Issues Guidance on Untimely Filed Extensions of Stay and Change of Status Requests (1-24-24)
- CIS Exempts the Form I-539 Biometrics Services Fee for All Applicants (9-25-23)
- DHS Issues Guidance for Stateless Noncitizens in the United States (8-1-23)
- CIS Launches Online Rescheduling of Biometrics Appointments (7-6-23)
- CIS Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Strategic Plan (4-20-23)
- Policy Guidance on Self-Selecting a Gender Marker on Forms and Documents (3-31-23)
- CIS Establishes New Virtual Service Center (3-30-23)
- CIS Announces Additional Mail Delivery Process for Receiving ADIT Stamp (3-16-23)
- USCIS Redesigns Green Card and Employment Authorization Document (1-30-23)
- CIS Releases FY 2023-26 Strategic Plan (1-27-23)
- CIS Proposed Regulation to Increase Filing Fees (1-4-23)
- CIS Issues Proposed Rule to Adjust Certain Immigration and Naturalization Fees (1-3-23)
- CIS Proposed Fee Increase FAQ (1-3-23)
- Fiscal Year 2022 Progress Report (12-7-22)
- Certain Afghan and Ukrainian Parolees Are Employment Authorized Incident to Parole (11-21-22)
- Fiscal Year 2022 Employment-Based Adjustment of Status FAQs
- CIS Extends COVID-19-related Flexibilities (10-24-22)
- CIS Extends COVID-19-related Flexibilities (7-25-22)
- CIS Simplifying, Improving Communication of Case Processing Data (5-5-22)
- CIS Increases Automatic Extension Period of Work Permits for Certain Applicants (5-3-22)
- CIS Announces New Actions to Reduce Backlogs, Expand Premium Processing, and Provide Relief to Work Permit Holders (3-29-22)
- USCIS Opens a New Lockbox Facility (2-10-22)
- Clarifying Guidance for O-1 Petitions with a Focus on STEM Fields (1-21-22)
- CIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests (12-30-21)
- COVID-19 Vaccination Required for Immigration Medical Examinations (9-14-21)
- Lockbox Filing Location Updates (9-3-21)
- CIS Reaches Settlement Agreement in “No Blank Space Rejection Policy” Case (8-19-21)
- Temporary Extension of I-693 Medical Examination from 2 to 4 Years (8-1-21)
- Biden-pick Ur Jaddou confirmed to head Citizenship and Immigration Services (7-30-21)
- CIS Expedite Criteria and Circumstances (6-09-21)
- Requests for Evidence and Notices of Intent to Deny (6-09-21)
- Employment Authorization for Certain Adjustment Applicants (6-09-21)
- CIS Temporarily Suspends Biometrics Requirement for Certain Form I-539 Applicants (5-13-21)
- DHS Announces Continuation of International Entrepreneur Parole Program (5-10-21)
- USCIS Issues Policy Guidance on Deference to Previous Decisions (4-27-21)
- Ashley Tabaddor, Chief Counsel, Office of Chief Counsel (1-25-21)
- CIS Extends of Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests (9-11-20)
- CIS Averts Furlough of Nearly 70% of Workforce (8-25-20)
- Pushes Back Furloughs until the end of August (7-24-20)
- Senators Call on USCIS to Postpone Planned Furloughs (7-21-20)
- Resumption of Premium Processing for Certain Petitions (5-29-20)
- USCIS is Running Out of Money – Requests $1.2 Billion Bailout (5-16-20)
- Ombudsman’s 2019 Annual Report to Congress (7-12-19)
- 2018 Statistical Annual Report (5-28-19)
- CIS Teleconference on Notice to Appear (NTA} Updated Policy Guidance (9-27-18)
- CIS to Begin Implementing New Policy Memorandum on Notices to Appear (9-26-18)
- Updated NTA Policy Guidance to Support DHS Enforcement Priorities (7-05-18)
- Memorandum Before the Justice Department and CIS re: Information Sharing and Case Referrals (5-11-18)
- CIS Expands Credit Card Payment Option for Fees (2-14-18)
- DHS Announces 18-Month Redesignation and Extension of Temporary Protected Status for Yemen (1-04-17)
- Previous Editions of Forms Accepted Until Feb. 21, 2017, but Must Include New Fees (12-29-16)
- Interim Rule on T Nonimmigrant Status (12-19-16)
- Parole for Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens and Certain Stateless Individuals in CNMI (12-09-16)
- USCIS Message: Updates to Filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization (9-22-16)
- Temporary Protected Status Benefits Under Designations of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone Extended Six Months for Orderly Transition Before Termination in May 2017 (9-22-16)
- CIS Will Use Filing Chart for EB AOS in October (9-16-16)
- Proposed Rule to Welcome International Entrepreneurs (8-26-16)
- Response to Recommendations on Parole for Eligible U Visa Principal and Derivatives Petitioners Residing Abroad (8-18-16)
- CIS Stakeholder Session With Director Rodriguez (7-22-16)
- EB-4 Visa Limits Reached for Special Immigrants From Mexico (6-27-16)
- Employers May Submit Inquiries If EOS/COE Petition Has Been Pending for 210 Days or More (6-10-16)
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL – REPORTS ON THE USCIS
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Winning Your Case in Immigration Court
Green Cards through Employment
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Carl Shusterman
Immigration Attorney Carl Shusterman has 40+ years of experience. He served as an attorney for the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) from 1976 until 1982, when he entered private practice. He has testified as an expert witness before the US Senate Immigration Subcommittee. Carl was featured in SuperLawyers Magazine. Today, he serves as Of Counsel to JR Immigration Law Firm.