United States – USCIS International Field Offices No Longer Accept Form I-407
United States – USCIS International Field Offices No Lo
This report covers important changes to procedures for completion and submission of U.S. Form I-407, Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status.
Highlights
SUBSCRIBE
To subscribe to GMS Flash Alert, fill out the subscription form.
Effective July 1, 2019, individuals seeking to abandon their U.S. lawful permanent resident (LPR) status are no longer allowed to file Form I-407, Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status, at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) international field offices by mail or in person.1
WHY THIS MATTERS
Form I-407 is used to formally alert the U.S. Department of Homeland Security of an individual’s intentional abandonment of his or her LPR status. For various reasons, U.S. lawful permanent residents who reside outside the United States may decide to voluntarily abandon their LPR status.
Following the most up-to-date procedures in submitting the Form I-407 can help to ensure government databases are properly updated to record an individual’s formal abandonment of LPR status.2
Background
Form I-407 is used to record an individual’s abandonment of LPR status. It is also used as a record that the individual has knowingly, willingly, and affirmatively waived his or her right to a hearing before an immigration judge.
Prior to the update in procedure, individuals holding LPR status were permitted to submit Form I-407 in person or by mail to a U.S. consulate, U.S. embassy, or USCIS international field office, as well as in person at a U.S. port of entry, or by mailing the form directly to USCIS. There is no government filing fee associated with the Form I-407.
New Procedure
Going forward, Form I-407 must be submitted via mail to:
USCIS Eastern Forms Center
Attn: I-407 unit
124 Leroy Road, P.O. Box 567
Williston, VT 05495
Individuals may also submit Form I-407 to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at a U.S. port of entry.
USCIS anticipates processing times at the Eastern Forms Center to be within 60 days from receipt to completion, not including mailing time to, or from outside of, the United States.
In very rare circumstances, a U.S. embassy, U.S. consulate, or USCIS international field office may accept a Form I-407 in person if an individual requires immediate proof that he or she has abandoned LPR status, such as in the case of “A” or “G” visa applicants for foreign diplomats, government officials, and employees who will work for international organizations in the United States.
KPMG NOTE
Individuals seeking to abandon their LPR status should consult with legal counsel before submitting Form I-407. In addition to recording the abandonment of LPR status, signing and submitting Form I-407 waives your right to a hearing before an immigration judge. Please be aware there have been instances of U.S. CBP officers encouraging individuals to sign Form I-407 without first speaking with legal counsel.
It is important to fully understand the implications of abandoning LPR status before filing the Form I-407.
FOOTNOTES
1 To read the USCIS alert, click here.
2 For more information about Form I-407, click here.
RELATED LINIKS
* Please note that KPMG LLP (U.S.) does not provide any immigration services nor does it provide any legal services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Canada.
© 2024 KPMG LLP, a Canadian limited liability partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.
GMS Flash Alert is a Global Mobility Services publication of the KPMG LLP Washington National Tax practice. The KPMG name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organization. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee and does not provide services to clients. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.