USCIS is gradually moving some forms to online-only filing. After an official announcement sets a date, the paper version of a form stops being accepted, and it can be filed on paper only with the agency’s permission. To get it, you must submit a separate motion explaining why online filing is not possible, and pay a $25 fee.

What Is Changing

USCIS announces that certain applications, for example for a green card, will be accepted only online rather than on paper. The paper version is still accepted for now, but the agency gives advance notice. According to the announcement, 60 days after the notice, a paper application for a specific benefit may not be accepted.

Filing requires a personal USCIS account. Some documents are attached as PDFs, and some data is entered manually directly in the account on the same form. Representatives, including lawyers, have a separate account type, Representative, through which they can file applications for clients.

The list of forms available online keeps expanding. According to the case described, there were few before, but recently there have become significantly more.

Which Forms Can Already Be Filed Online

In the Representative account, the following are available, among others: Form I-140 (for EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3), I-129 (for O-1, H-1B and L-1), I-130 for family reunification, the Advance Parole application, Form I-360, Form I-485 to adjust status to a green card, the supplements to I-485, the work permit application, the TPS application, the U nonimmigrant visa category application, the naturalization application and the certificate of citizenship application.

A form’s name does not always mean it can be filed in full. For example, I-140 is available online for EB-1 and EB-2, while for EB-3 the system accepts only a certain category. In the case described, the system returned an error at the last step, and part of the petition had to be filed on paper.

Form I-360 is mainly used under VAWA: when a spouse was a US citizen or when children have a US citizen parent, but there was abuse in the relationship (abused husband or wife).

How to Get Permission to File on Paper

After USCIS officially announces that a specific form is no longer accepted on paper, it can be filed on paper if the agency grants permission. To do this, a separate motion form is submitted, in which you must explain in detail why the case cannot be filed online.

The arguments “I don’t know how to use the internet” or “I don’t have an account and cannot create one” are not sufficient. If lack of internet access is cited, you must explain why you cannot use a public library that has free internet and a computer.

The motion review costs $25 USD. There are also two restrictions: if the applicant has a lawyer, such a motion is not needed, because the lawyer will file online. In addition, filing the motion does not fix the priority date. It will be assigned only after the application itself, which was allowed to be filed on paper, is submitted, and with large backlogs this can take a long time.

Line of people outside a federal agency building in an American city, pedestrians at the entrance

Why Online Filing Is Better

Online filing is noticeably faster than paper filing. The point is not preparing and printing the case, but the waiting time for the receipt notice confirming that USCIS has accepted the documents. With online filing it may arrive within a few minutes or a few days. When sent by mail, the notice may arrive in about two months, though it is often faster. Long waits also happen.

In addition, the notice may be lost in the mail, and then it cannot be obtained without an inquiry to USCIS. Paper filing carries other difficulties too, so the move to online filing in the case described is assessed as positive.