VAWA, Part 27

[Demise 1,330]

17 hours ago, Persica said:

Do people who filed 360+485 before December, 2023 need to send the I-693 to the USCIS before the RFE? They changed the policy in December, 2023 to submit the I-693 with the concurrent filing, but not sure if it applies to the previous filings retroactively. Thank you

 

If they took your I-485 filing then they'll RFE you for it or send you a courtesy notice to bring it to you to an interview. (Note that getting an RFE is a good indication that they might waive the interview that's not absolute, I got RFE'd for medicals and then interviewed regardless, though in my case I had an EWI and prior removal proceedings).

Right now they will reject a filing without the medicals - not deny, reject, they will take your whole filing, put it in an envelope, and mail it back to you.

 

 

2 hours ago, Milka10 said:

Hello everyone, 

where do I need to file to renew i751 category c 31 ( work authorization) ? my i360 approved , while i485 is pending , I’m an nyc filer 

 

1. It's I-765. I-751 is a different form (removal of conditions for permanent residence)
2. Do you need a C31? If you have a C9 EAD then just use that one and renew it as needed.

If you don't have a C9 you can file the initial for that at the same time as C31 renewal. Reason for this is two-fold: C9 is valid for 5 years, C31 does get automatic extensions when you file a renewal, so a renewal would bridge any gap.

 

If you want the C31 just because (peace of mind, fallback in case you lose the C9, etc) then you can file a renewal and don't let me stop you.

 

These (all VAWA EADs) go to

For USPS:

USCIS
P.O. Box 87426
Lincoln, NE 68501-7526

For FedEx/UPS/etc:

USCIS
Attn: I-765 VAWA
850 S St.
Lincoln, NE 68508-1225

 

Edited January 10 by Demise

[Milka10 0]

On 1/10/2025 at 8:44 AM, Demise said:

 

If they took your I-485 filing then they'll RFE you for it or send you a courtesy notice to bring it to you to an interview. (Note that getting an RFE is a good indication that they might waive the interview that's not absolute, I got RFE'd for medicals and then interviewed regardless, though in my case I had an EWI and prior removal proceedings).

Right now they will reject a filing without the medicals - not deny, reject, they will take your whole filing, put it in an envelope, and mail it back to you.

 

 

 

1. It's I-765. I-751 is a different form (removal of conditions for permanent residence)
2. Do you need a C31? If you have a C9 EAD then just use that one and renew it as needed.

If you don't have a C9 you can file the initial for that at the same time as C31 renewal. Reason for this is two-fold: C9 is valid for 5 years, C31 does get automatic extensions when you file a renewal, so a renewal would bridge any gap.

 

If you want the C31 just because (peace of mind, fallback in case you lose the C9, etc) then you can file a renewal and don't let me stop you.

 

These (all VAWA EADs) go to

For USPS:

USCIS
P.O. Box 87426
Lincoln, NE 68501-7526

For FedEx/UPS/etc:

USCIS
Attn: I-765 VAWA
850 S St.
Lincoln, NE 68508-1225

 

Thank you . I’m extending my c 31 that was issued when they approved my i360 back in 2020 and because filing fees were waived when I filed i485 I have to pay all the time when I extend my work authorization. I had category c9 when I-360 was pending , but once it got approved they send work authorization under c31 category

.What about Advanced Parole do I send this to the same address above (Lincoln , Nebraska) ? 

[Demise 1,330]

1 hour ago, Milka10 said:

Thank you . I’m extending my c 31 that was issued when they approved my i360 back in 2020 and because filing fees were waived when I filed i485 I have to pay all the time when I extend my work authorization. I had category c9 when I-360 was pending , but once it got approved they send work authorization under c31 category

.What about Advanced Parole do I send this to the same address above (Lincoln , Nebraska) ? 

Yeah same address.

 

One thing of note is that recent changes to free schedule made I-485, I-765, I-131, and other similar forms free for VAWA filers.

Currently both C9 (based upon VAWA I-485) and C31 are free.

[Milka10 0]

3 hours ago, Demise said:

Yeah same address.

 

One thing of note is that recent changes to free schedule made I-485, I-765, I-131, and other similar forms free for VAWA filers.

Currently both C9 (based upon VAWA I-485) and C31 are free.

Thank you for the information . So you are saying I no longer have to pay filing fee for c31 ? I think I read online that it went up in prices and now it’s $520 or smth , so I’m confused 

[TBoneTX 45,956]

Sunday!  Time for our highly effective, always-hilarious Official Weekly VAWA-Thread Joke:

===========================================
LOST COUNT

 

A young lady who had hay-fever went to a dinner party and took two handkerchiefs, one of which she stuck in her bosom.

 

At dinner, she began rummaging left and right in her bosom for the fresh handkerchief.  Engrossed in her search, she suddenly realized that conversation had ceased and people were watching her, fascinated.

 

In confusion, she murmured, "I KNOW I had two when I came here."

 

[Demise 1,330]

On 1/11/2025 at 7:46 PM, Milka10 said:

Thank you for the information . So you are saying I no longer have to pay filing fee for c31 ? I think I read online that it went up in prices and now it’s $520 or smth , so I’m confused 

https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055?form=i-765

 

Yep. C09s for VAWAs and C31s are free these days. This includes initial, renewal, and replacement applications.

 

[Persica 6]

On 1/10/2025 at 8:44 AM, Demise said:

 

If they took your I-485 filing then they'll RFE you for it or send you a courtesy notice to bring it to you to an interview. (Note that getting an RFE is a good indication that they might waive the interview that's not absolute, I got RFE'd for medicals and then interviewed regardless, though in my case I had an EWI and prior removal proceedings).

Right now they will reject a filing without the medicals - not deny, reject, they will take your whole filing, put it in an envelope, and mail it back to you.

Thanks. And the way you know they took in your I-485 is that they issued you a receipt notice, correct?
My lawyer wants me to send in the 693 even without the RFE because she says they changed the policy back in december.

[Milka10 0]

10 hours ago, Demise said:

https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055?form=i-765

 

Yep. C09s for VAWAs and C31s are free these days. This includes initial, renewal, and replacement applications.

 

Thank you . But it doesn’t apply for those who paid initially for i485 ?  bc I did a waiver for all petitions when just applied for this case , so I used to pay all the time for AP and work authorisation when I was filing for an extension 

[Milka10 0]

59 minutes ago, Milka10 said:

Thank you . But it doesn’t apply for those who paid initially for i485 ?  bc I did a waiver for all petitions when just applied for this case , so I used to pay all the time for AP and work authorisation when I was filing for an extension 

Also what documents I have to submit to extend C31? Do I have to submit some fee waiver application ? Or they know I don’t have to pay anything so no checks need to be attached ? @Demise

[Sandra G. 5,057]

On 1/8/2025 at 11:52 AM, Dee88 said:

Hi Everyone,

 

Please I need help. I have gotten 5 prima facie now (VAWA). I sent application for my EAD renewal in October to the right Lockbox in IL as I am a NY filer. 
USCIS returned it from the Vermont service center saying - 

 

“We are returning your submission. It has not been examined for legal sufficiency or required documentation. 
The form type submitted is not within the jurisdiction of the service center. Please resubmit to the correct filing location.”

 

I called them, they said I can file for a renewal myself even if it’s VAWA but send it to Nebraska. I never got a notification that my file was transferred there. 
Does anyone know what’s going on or have been through this before.  Thank you.
@Sandra G. @Demise

You need to file the application at the same location where you submitted your VAWA application. If you did not receive a notification stating that your case was transferred to Nebraska, you should file with Vermont. However, if your case was transferred, you should file with Nebraska.

On 1/8/2025 at 11:52 AM, Dee88 said:

Hi Everyone,

 

Please I need help. I have gotten 5 prima facie now (VAWA). I sent application for my EAD renewal in October to the right Lockbox in IL as I am a NY filer. 
USCIS returned it from the Vermont service center saying - 

 

“We are returning your submission. It has not been examined for legal sufficiency or required documentation. 
The form type submitted is not within the jurisdiction of the service center. Please resubmit to the correct filing location.”

 

I called them, they said I can file for a renewal myself even if it’s VAWA but send it to Nebraska. I never got a notification that my file was transferred there. 
Does anyone know what’s going on or have been through this before.  Thank you.
@Sandra G. @Demise

You need to file the application at the same location where you submitted your VAWA application. If you did not receive a notification stating that your case was transferred to Nebraska, you should file with Vermont. However, if your case was transferred, you should file with Nebraska.

[Demise 1,330]

6 hours ago, Persica said:

Thanks. And the way you know they took in your I-485 is that they issued you a receipt notice, correct?
My lawyer wants me to send in the 693 even without the RFE because she says they changed the policy back in december.

Policy changes generally aren't retroactive because that's just a pile of lawsuits waiting to happen.

Also yes, if they issued you an I-485 receipt notice then they have accepted your application.

 

Like the policy is that they're reject any new filing missing the medicals, not that they'll deny those who filed without medicals previously.

 

4 hours ago, Milka10 said:

Thank you . But it doesn’t apply for those who paid initially for i485 ?  bc I did a waiver for all petitions when just applied for this case , so I used to pay all the time for AP and work authorisation when I was filing for an extension 

 

3 hours ago, Milka10 said:

Also what documents I have to submit to extend C31? Do I have to submit some fee waiver application ? Or they know I don’t have to pay anything so no checks need to be attached ? @Demise

So it used to be this way:

If you paid for I-485 then I-765 renewals were free.

If you got a fee waiver for I-485 then you'd either need to pay for I-765 renewals or submit another fee waiver.

C31 renewals they wanted you to pay for or get a fee waiver.

 

Currently VAWA I-485, I-765 (C09 and C31), I-131, and some other forms are just blanket free regardless of when the case started or your ability to pay. You do not need to pay nor do you need to submit a fee waiver request.

 

For C31 renewal you need to include a copy of the I-360 approval notice and ideally a copy front and back of your current C31 EAD.

Edited Monday at 08:09 PM by Demise

[Milka10 0]

4 hours ago, Demise said:

Policy changes generally aren't retroactive because that's just a pile of lawsuits waiting to happen.

Also yes, if they issued you an I-485 receipt notice then they have accepted your application.

 

Like the policy is that they're reject any new filing missing the medicals, not that they'll deny those who filed without medicals previously.

 

 

So it used to be this way:

If you paid for I-485 then I-765 renewals were free.

If you got a fee waiver for I-485 then you'd either need to pay for I-765 renewals or submit another fee waiver.

C31 renewals they wanted you to pay for or get a fee waiver.

 

Currently VAWA I-485, I-765 (C09 and C31), I-131, and some other forms are just blanket free regardless of when the case started or your ability to pay. You do not need to pay nor do you need to submit a fee waiver request.

 

For C31 renewal you need to include a copy of the I-360 approval notice and ideally a copy front and back of your current C31 EAD.

Thank you very much for the explanation. 
I was just kind of surprised that they waived the fee for work authorization . 

[JerryVawa 7]

hi all — where should i be sending I-765 and I-131 renewal? My previous renewal was 2 years ago and I sent it to Vermont. Just to Clarify I’m pending VAWA so my ead is C9 based on I-485. I had originally sent my VAWA to Vermont and they did not transfer my case to Nebraska. 

Edited Wednesday at 02:40 AM by JerryVawa
More info

[JerryVawa 7]

On 1/10/2025 at 8:44 AM, Demise said:

 

If they took your I-485 filing then they'll RFE you for it or send you a courtesy notice to bring it to you to an interview. (Note that getting an RFE is a good indication that they might waive the interview that's not absolute, I got RFE'd for medicals and then interviewed regardless, though in my case I had an EWI and prior removal proceedings).

Right now they will reject a filing without the medicals - not deny, reject, they will take your whole filing, put it in an envelope, and mail it back to you.

 

 

 

1. It's I-765. I-751 is a different form (removal of conditions for permanent residence)
2. Do you need a C31? If you have a C9 EAD then just use that one and renew it as needed.

If you don't have a C9 you can file the initial for that at the same time as C31 renewal. Reason for this is two-fold: C9 is valid for 5 years, C31 does get automatic extensions when you file a renewal, so a renewal would bridge any gap.

 

If you want the C31 just because (peace of mind, fallback in case you lose the C9, etc) then you can file a renewal and don't let me stop you.

 

These (all VAWA EADs) go to

For USPS:

USCIS
P.O. Box 87426
Lincoln, NE 68501-7526

For FedEx/UPS/etc:

USCIS
Attn: I-765 VAWA
850 S St.
Lincoln, NE 68508-1225

 

@Demise @Sandra G. where should i be sending I-765 and I-131 renewal? My previous renewal was 2 years ago and I sent it to Vermont. Just to Clarify I’m pending VAWA so my ead is C9 based on I-485. I had originally sent my VAWA to Vermont and they did not transfer my case to Nebraska.

[Demise 1,330]

1 hour ago, JerryVawa said:

@Demise @Sandra G. where should i be sending I-765 and I-131 renewal? My previous renewal was 2 years ago and I sent it to Vermont. Just to Clarify I’m pending VAWA so my ead is C9 based on I-485. I had originally sent my VAWA to Vermont and they did not transfer my case to Nebraska.

Nebraska:

 

 

They changed the mailing location sometime in mid 2023 around the time when I filed my AOS.