Many things in business and everyday life have already moved online and a lot more are in the process of going online or digital, whether it is shopping, accessing software applications, open or online banking, entertainment, to name a few. This is true for various government services and application filing including USCIS immigration related applications.

The Millennials and Gen Z may not even consider filling in a paper application and may find it outdated if others follow the old ways. They may even have an inhibition in dealing with those who follow the traditional methods and that is the reason why agencies and departments like USCIS are upgrading their systems to allow e-filing of petitions and applications. Those who don’t follow the digital trend in any industry – manufacturing, retail, healthcare, or professional services – may struggle to survive.

What is e-filing in USCIS portal?

Online or e-Filing with USCIS refers to the process of submitting immigration-related petitions/applications and forms electronically through their secure online filing system. USCIS already allows online application for N-400: Application for Naturalization, I-90: Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, and I-130: Petition for Alien Relative. Last month, USCIS launched online filing of Form I-129 and associated Form I-907 for non-cap and cap H-1B petitions for petitioners whose registrations have been selected. Here are some key points about e-Filing.

Benefits of e-Filing:

e-Filing is beneficial to the petitioner and more to the immigration law practitioners. Let us take on some of the important advantages of e-filing.

• Convenience: e-filing of applications allows the applicants to complete the forms using USCIS’s secure system, receive helpful guidance and instructions, and avoid common errors and mistakes.
• Online Account: A free USCIS account enables the applicant to file applications online, track cases, and access other USCIS services. A USCIS account can be created from the computer, phone, or tablet. Visit the How to Create a USCIS Online Account page for detailed instructions.
• Fee Payment: Fees can be paid online during the e-Filing process.

It allows the attorneys or their representatives to create their own account to manage the applicant’s cases, and represent on their behalf.

Why should Immigration Law Practitioners try e-filing?

e-Filing provides a streamlined and efficient way to interact with USCIS for various immigration-related applications and related matters. The top-most reason for immigration law firms and attorneys to get a USCIS online account is the ease of filing forms online and tracking the case anytime from anywhere. It allows you to:

• Enter beneficiary information using a phone, tablet, or computer;
• Avoid common mistakes like submitting applications without signing as it is not allowed;
• Reduce/avoid costs of shipping and tracking of offline submission of forms;
• Save draft application and finish it at the convenience;
• Easily and securely pay the filing fee online using ACH or Card instead of check; and
• Receive immediate acknowledgement and confirmation that USCIS has received the form instead of waiting for the mail.
• Get the current case status and the history of the case;
• Respond to Requests for Evidence (RFEs); and
• Access every notice USCIS sends to the beneficiary.

These benefits help the law practitioners to get applications processed much more quickly than the manual filing of applications, thus saving time and effort and costs to all stakeholders including practitioners, petitioners and beneficiaries.

Why is e-Filing through ImmiBox critical for Immigration Law Firms?

USCIS e-filing ImmiBox is arguably the only immigration case management application available in the market that currently allows e-filing of Form I-129 (H-1B petitions) directly from the case management software. The immigration law firms and attorneys who use ImmiBox will continue to enjoy all the benefits of e-filing that we explained above when they opt for e-filing through ImmiBox application and gain more benefits. We will explore how e-filing directly through ImmiBox bring gains to the practitioners.

When immigration law practitioners e-file applications through USCIS, they must reenter all the data and information required by the system. This can take more time and cause errors resulting in delays in application processing. ImmiBox not only allows opening the relevant e-filing application form from USCIS portal with a direct click, but also prefills all the data and information already captured in ImmiBox. This helps users eliminate errors and mistakes and ensures that the application gets processed quickly. Furthermore, the facility to e-file through ImmiBox benefits the users by way of receiving instant acknowledgement and receipt of the application submission and integrating the status update in ImmiBox.

Concluding Note

In nutshell, ImmiBox’s e-filing capability helps immigration practitioners, and their staff gets applications processed quickly and error-free, saving a lot of time and cost of operations, resulting in enhanced bottom-line. ImmiBox brings dual benefits of e-filing applications but without leaving ImmiBox and the features and functionalities of case management, with its seamlessly customizable workflows, forms and letters templates, document management, intuitive dashboards, calendar management, alerts, among others.

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