USCIS has made an announcement that they’re extending the flexibility for individuals to respond to certain types of requests specifically Requests for Evidence (RFEs), Notice of Intent to Deny (NOIDs).

Read: USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests

Basically, if you receive a Request for Evidence, a Notice of Intent to Deny in your case, there will be information about what’s missing in your application. What information immigration needs. It’s also very important to pay attention to the deadline. That notice will have a deadline that you have to respond.

That response deadline is the date that immigration has to receive your response. So pay very close attention to that deadline and of course, pay attention to all of the details and information they are requesting. USCIS has extended that deadline that’s in your notice.

Immigration is saying that any decisions, any notices from March 1st of 2020 through June 30th of 2021, if you receive a Request for Evidence, a Notice of Intent to Deny during that time frame, USCIS is actually extending that deadline to respond by 60 days. They’re doing this because of COVID and because it’s been more difficult for individuals to obtain civil documents and things that might be requested by immigration. And so, they’ve made multiple announcements that they are extending deadlines by 60 days.

This is the recent one that was just announced the other day in March of 2021. A good rule of thumb, what we do in our office is to respond by the deadline that’s in the letter and not rely on that extension. But if you need the additional time, that is what USCIS is doing. They’re giving you that additional time if you need it.

If you have an attorney assisting you with your case, work with your attorney to decide what’s the best strategy. If you’ll be able to get the documents in on time, to be able to respond.