The US immigration application process could soon become more digital.
Under President Donald Trump, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is introducing an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that could allow US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to make online filing mandatory for certain immigration forms.
The change could affect people applying for Green Cards, US citizenship and other immigration benefits.
The rule is scheduled for formal publication on August 11, 2026.
Public comments will remain open until October 13, 2026.
USCIS Could Require More Applications to Be Filed Online
Under the proposed rule, USCIS could require applicants to file an immigration form online if that form has already been available for electronic filing for at least 180 days.
However, applicants will not be required to switch immediately.
USCIS says it will provide at least 60 days’ notice on its website before making online filing mandatory for a particular form.
Applicants would need a USCIS online account.
They could either complete the form directly online or upload a PDF of the completed form along with supporting documents.
The move is part of a larger effort to reduce the use of paper-based immigration applications and make the system more efficient.
Why Is the US Moving Towards E-Filing?
USCIS says electronic filing could make it easier and faster to manage immigration applications.
Digital applications can help officials access information more quickly while reducing problems such as errors, missing information and incomplete applications.
The agency also believes that electronic filing could improve fraud detection, identity management and national security screening.
The move would also reduce the government’s dependence on physical lockbox services for processing applications and fees.
Adam Klein, a former senior DHS official involved in developing electronic immigration forms, said the system could provide the government with more structured data, potentially improving the accuracy and speed of decision-making.
However, he also pointed out that while e-filing could improve efficiency and security, there are questions about whether everyone will have equal access to the digital system.
Which Immigration Forms Could Be Affected?
Electronic filing is already common among USCIS applicants.
According to USCIS data, around 44% of all forms submitted to the agency were filed electronically in the previous fiscal year.
At least 22 forms have reportedly been available for online filing for more than 180 days.
These include forms related to:
Green Card replacement or renewal
US citizenship and naturalisation
Extension or change of nonimmigrant status
Family-based immigration petitions
Employment authorisation
Travel documents
Certain nonimmigrant worker petitions, including forms used by some H-1B applicants
However, the exact number of applications that will eventually be covered by mandatory e-filing is still unclear.
What If Someone Cannot File Online?
The proposed rule also includes a waiver option for people who are unable to file electronically because of undue hardship.
USCIS would decide these waiver requests on a case-by-case basis.
A $25 fee has been proposed for requesting a waiver. However, some applicants may be eligible to have the fee waived under existing humanitarian provisions.
DHS estimates that around 249,000 people request such waivers each year.
Since the rule is subject to public comments, some details could still change before the final system is fully implemented.
People planning to apply for a US immigration benefit should therefore check the latest USCIS instructions before submitting their application.
