USCIS Confirms Elimination of “Blank Space” Criteria

USCIS today confirmed that for all forms it has reverted to the form rejection criteria it applied before October 2019 regarding blank responses.

In 2019, USCIS changed the form rejection criteria for:

• Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal;
• Form I-612, Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (under Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended); and
• Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status.

USCIS has reverted back to the rejection criteria that existed for these forms before October 2019. USCIS will no longer reject Form I-589, Form I-612 or Form I-918 if an applicant leaves a blank space.

However, applicants should be aware that we may reject these forms, or it might create delays in their case, if the applicant:

• Leaves required spaces blank;
• Fails to respond to questions related to filing requirements; or
• Omits any required initial evidence.

For more information about filing requirements and required initial evidence, consult the filing instructions for each form.