USCIS Returns to Original Process for Mailing Approval Notices

As of March 5, 2012, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has returned to its original process for mailing approval notices, meaning that the attorney or representative of record no longer needs to enter their address as the mailing address to receive the original I-797A Approval Notice. On September 12, 2011, without notice, USCIS began sending receipt notices and approval notices directly to the petitioners and beneficiaries listed in the petitions. A courtesy copy of the notice was sent to the attorney or representative of record.

USCIS rapidly reversed this change after several stakeholders informed USCIS of the negative consequences of this practice. Beginning on September 30, 2011, USCIS established an interim process, while its computer system was being reprogrammed, under which attorneys and representatives of record were prompted to enter their address as the mailing address on the Form G-28, Notice of Representation, to ensure receipt of original notices from USCIS. The computer system has been reprogrammed, with the result that attorneys and representatives listed on Form G-28 will now receive the original receipt and approval notices automatically.

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