USCIS Rescinds Earlier Update, Allows Prepaid Mailers
On July 27, 2007, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) retracted a July 23 update regarding the discontinuance of prepaid mailers for issuing notices and documents. Before the July 23rd announcement, USCIS allowed the public to enclose prepaid mailers in connection with applications or petitions filed with USCIS. A prepaid mailer is essentially a self-addressed envelope, where postage is paid by the addressee, that USCIS may use for mailing a document to the petitioner/applicant or authorized representative. USCIS said it “is aware that the July 23rd announcement caused anxiety for several of its customers and USCIS is committed to finding an alternative that will allow the public the continued convenience of using prepaid mailers while not unduly impacting its operations.” Thus, USCIS is reinstating the practice of allowing prepaid mailers as an alternate method of delivering notices and documents to the public.
USCIS noted that prepaid mailers are not required. If an applicant/petitioner nonetheless wishes to submit one, it should meet the following criteria: Express and Priority mail (including FedEx, DHL, or UPS) with appropriate postage, with a prepaid shipping label on the package, already paid by the person who sends it; e.g., FedEx’s “Expanded Billable Stamp” or DHL’s “Easy Return Label,” among others.
Click here to read the PDF notice.
