USCIS Updates Guidance on Untimely Filed Extension of Stay and Change of Status Requests

USCIS announced an update to its Policy Manual, providing that USCIS may excuse a nonimmigrant’s failure to timely file an extension of stay or change of status request if the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the applicant or petitioner. The update notes that extraordinary circumstances may include delays due to a slowdown or stoppage of work involving a strike, lockout, or other labor dispute, or where the primary reason for the late filing is the inability to obtain a certified labor condition application or temporary labor certification due to a lapse in government funding supporting those certifications.

More details can be found here on USCIS’ alert page.