USCIS has announced that the Service will no longer require petitioners to include a duplicate copy of the submitted Form I-129 and any supporting documents, unless otherwise specifically requested by USCIS.

The Petition Information Management Service, or PIMS for short, was created to provide consular officers with electronic access to petition information. The primary purpose of PIMS is to make the nonimmigrant visa application review process more efficient and streamline the transfer of petition approval information between USCIS and the U.S. Department of State (DOS). The inclusion of a duplicate copy of the original petition package was previously sent to the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) for uploading into PIMS.

Now, as of August 11, 2022, USCIS has ceased the requirement a duplicate copy of the Form I-129 and supporting documents thanks in great part to the enhanced electronic scanning capabilities and data-sharing with the U.S. Department of State. This enhancement of available technology within the agencies allows USCIS no longer need a duplicate copy of the original I-129 petition package and will aid in avoiding delays in consular processing moving forward. 

By: Jeanetly Garcia

Jeanetly Garcia advises employers and individuals through all phases of the non-immigrant visa process. As an attorney in the H-1B Department at Reddy Neumann Brown PC she is experienced in filing nonimmigrant petitions and applications for immigrant benefits, as well as, responding to USCIS issued requests for evidence concerning an array of legal issues.