USCIS Grants 30-Day Grace Period for Old Immigration Forms

In response to a lawsuit alleging inadequate notification, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a 30-day grace period during which it will continue to accept older versions of key immigration forms, including applications for green cards and naturalization.

The decision arrives after the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and Benach Collopy LLP filed suit against the agency, contending that the abrupt implementation of updated forms, dated January 20, 2025, created confusion and unfairly penalized applicants. The lawsuit challenges the USCIS's rollout of the new forms, which were made available between late February and early March.

The legal challenge highlights the insufficient notice provided to applicants and legal professionals, leading to instances where outdated forms were unknowingly submitted. While the updated forms, released on February 24, March 3, and March 4, are scheduled to become mandatory in late March and early April, USCIS will accept previous editions for a 30-day transition period.

This extension specifically applies to Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, commonly known as green card applications) and Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization). After the grace period expires, only the newly issued versions of these forms will be accepted. The updated forms also feature revised terminology, including replacing "noncitizen" with "alien," and restrict gender options to "male" and "female." These changes reflect policy shifts introduced during the Trump administration.