UNITED STATES: USCIS Plans Closure of International Field Offices

June 12, 2019


U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is planning to close all 22 of its international field offices in the coming months.

USCIS already closed its Havana office in December 2018 and its Moscow office in February 2019. It plans to close its offices in Mexico City and Manila on 30 June and 5 July 2019 respectively, followed by Seoul and Monterrey in September and the remaining offices before 10 March 2020.

Impact

The closures are not expected to have much effect on employment-based immigration filings, as the primary responsibilities of USCIS international field offices fall outside the scope of employment-based immigration.

The agency is expected to shift its international workload to the U.S. Department of State and to USCIS offices within the United States. The State Department already performs a number of similar duties in areas where there is no USCIS international field office.

Our Advice

Employers who may be affected are encouraged to contact a Newland Chase immigration specialist for case-specific advice.

For general advice and information on immigration and business travel to the United States, please contact us.