USCIS Launches New Generic Clearance for Immigration Form Data
Published Date: 3/3/2025
Notice
Summary
USCIS is starting a new way to collect info on immigration forms to keep the U.S. safe and make sure applicants are who they say they are. This affects anyone applying for immigration benefits and asks for public feedback by May 2, 2025. The goal is to improve security checks without adding extra costs or hassle for applicants.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
24 Data Elements Added to Forms
If you apply for immigration benefits, USCIS will add a baseline set of 24 data elements to certain forms to verify identity and conduct security vetting. The elements include seven core biographic identifiers (e.g., name, alias(es), sex, date of birth, place of birth, citizenship, country of residence), passport/travel/national ID details (country of issuance, issue date, expiration date), and 16 secondary items such as telephone numbers used in the last 5 years, email addresses used in the last 10 years, U.S. and foreign addresses, family member names and dates/place(s) of birth, and business contact information.
Forms Affected and Time Burden
USCIS intends to add these data elements where not already collected to listed forms including N-400, I-131, I-192, I-485, I-589, I-590, I-730, I-751, and I-829. Estimated respondents and hour burdens per response are: N-400 (909,700 respondents; 0.77 hour), I-131 (1,073,059; 0.77 hour), I-192 (68,050; 0.78 hour), I-485 (1,060,585; 0.73 hour), I-589 (203,379; 0.93 hour), I-590 (106,200; 0.77 hour), I-730 (13,000; 1.27 hour), I-751 (140,000; 0.77 hour), and I-829 (1,010; 0.80 hour). The total estimated annual hour burden for this collection is 2,750,064 hours, and USCIS states the estimated total annual monetary cost burden to the public is $0.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-19026, Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Collection of Qualitative Feedback Through Focus Groups
USCIS is keeping its focus group feedback collection going without any changes, giving the public 30 more days to share thoughts by October 19, 2026. This affects anyone interested in how USCIS gathers feedback to improve services, with no new costs or paperwork. It’s a smooth extension to keep hearing from people and making things better!
2026-18722, Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Application for Regional Center Designation; Application for Approval of an Investment in a Commercial Enterprise; Regional Center Annual Statement; Bona Fides of Persons Involved With Regional Center Program; Registration for Direct and Third-Party Promoters
USCIS is extending the approval for forms used by Regional Centers and investors without making any changes. This means folks involved in investment projects and regional center operations can keep using the same paperwork for now. Comments on this extension are open until November 13, 2026, with no new fees or time changes expected.
2026-18672, Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers
USCIS is keeping the Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers form just as it is and wants to extend its use without any changes. This affects employers and workers applying for immigrant visas, with no new costs or extra paperwork. You’ve got 60 days, until November 13, 2026, to share your thoughts or questions!
2026-18680, Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition
USCIS is extending the approval for the Nonimmigrant Petition based on Blanket L Petition without making any changes. This affects companies and workers using this form to bring employees to the U.S. temporarily. You’ve got 60 days, until November 13, 2026, to share your thoughts—no new fees or extra paperwork, just keeping things rolling smoothly!
2026-18710, Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Application for Family Unity Benefits
The Department of Homeland Security is extending the current approval for the Application for Family Unity Benefits without making any changes. This means families applying to stay together can keep using the same form, and the public has until November 13, 2026, to share their thoughts. There’s no new cost or extra paperwork, just a smooth continuation of the process.
2026-18671, Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Petition for CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transition Worker and Semiannual Report for CW-1 Employers
USCIS is extending the current paperwork for employers who hire CNMI-only nonimmigrant workers and must file semiannual reports, with no changes to the forms or rules. This means employers in the CNMI can keep using the same process without extra costs or new steps. The public can comment on this extension until November 13, 2026.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-03424, Sunshine Act Meetings
The SEC’s Investor Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on March 6, 2025, both in-person and online. Anyone can join, watch, or send in written comments by March 5. The meeting covers hot topics like AI’s impact, investor fraud, and new recommendations—keeping investors in the loop without costing a dime to attend!
Next: 2025-03469, Sunshine Act Meetings
The Farm Credit Administration is holding a Sunshine Act meeting on March 13, 2025, where some parts will be open to the public and others closed. People interested can watch in person or online by registering 24 hours ahead. This meeting affects anyone following Farm Credit decisions and keeps transparency while protecting sensitive info—no extra costs involved.