When USCIS published the mandatory electronic filing rule, many people only read the first half. The second half is the one that matters to those who can't file online.
A Waiver Request Exists
The official text is straightforward: those who cannot file electronically may request a waiver. Waivers are granted at USCIS's discretion, based on undue hardship.
This matters to many of the people we serve: those without reliable internet access, those with limitations that make it difficult to use the system, those who depend on others for anything online.
The Rule Is Already in Effect
The Interim Final Rule took effect on August 11, 2026. It's not a future proposal — it's already in force.
And Public Comment Is Still Open
DHS will consider public comments submitted through October 13, 2026.
This is the point almost no one uses: the public comment period is open to anyone. Those who face the difficulty firsthand have information that rarely reaches the people who write the rule.
What to Check
- If you can file online without difficulty, nothing changes for your case.
- If you can't, the waiver path exists — and it requires demonstrating the hardship, not simply preferring paper.
- If you'd like to comment on the rule, the deadline is October 13, 2026.
Next date: October 13, 2026 — closing of the public comment period.
Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — official announcement (newsroom) on the electronic form filing requirement, uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts — https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-to-require-electronic-filing-of-forms-strengthening-national-security
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Educational information, not legal advice. Prime Immigration Office is a paralegal service — document preparation only. For legal advice, consult a licensed Texas attorney or DOJ-accredited representative.