Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, USCIS is experiencing delays in issuing receipt notices for some applications and petitions filed at a USCIS lockbox facility .The information below explains the current state of our lockbox operations and the issues affecting receipt notices. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a statement this week, acknowledging delays in issuing receipt notices for cases filed at USCIS lockbox facilities. The U.S. The USCIS attributes these delays to a significant increase in recent filings, along with a reduced processing capacity caused by the ongoing pandemic. U.S. On January 8, 2021, USCIS announced that the agency has indeed been overcome with delays caused by the pandemic and other factors, that has resulted in the delayed issuance of receipt notices for at least some applications and petitions filed at USCIS lockbox facilities. USCIS have reported delays for processing receipt notices at the Dallas Lockbox facility in Texas (where OPT applications are delivered), which it says are due “to ongoing coronavirus-related impacts and a recent increase in requests for immigration benefits”. Those who filed an application or petition with a USCIS lockbox facility may experience a four to six week delay in receiving receipt notices. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that its lockbox facilities “have received a significant increase in filings in recent weeks.” The increase, along with COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions, is causing “significant delays for … USCIS provided additional updates about lockbox operations and delays in issuing receipt notices for some applications and petitions filed at a USCIS lockbox facility.. On January 8th, 2021, the USCIS issued a notification regarding delays faced by the Lockbox facilities throughout the nation. A lockbox is an entity used by organizations to accelerate the collection of fees. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued an alert on delays in processing receipt notices due to the surges in petition filings at lockbox facilities because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the agency’s “flexibility” in response. USCIS operates three Lockbox facilities in partnership with the Department of Treasury. Per USCIS: As a result of COVID-19 restrictions, an increase in filings, current postal service volume and other external factors, you may experience a delay of four to six weeks in receiving your receipt notice after properly filing an application or petition with a USCIS lockbox. January 8, 2021. These delays are due to a number of factors, including COVID-19 restrictions, an increase in filings, and high postal service volume. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced delays of four to six weeks in sending out receipt notices after receiving properly filed applications and petitions with a USCIS lockbox. Lockbox Facility delays receipt of I-129F petitions due to COVID-19 restrictions. Also, starting today, all new OPT and STEM OPT extension applications must be sent to the USCIS Chicago Lockbox. U.S. The agency said a variety of factors were to blame, including “COVID-19 restrictions, an increase in filings, current postal service volume and other external factors.” U.S. Prior to January 8, 2021, Form I-765 application for OPT or STEM OPT extension were filed at one of two other USCIS Lockbox facilities depending on the mailing address of the applicant. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued an alert on delays in processing receipt notices due to the surges in petition filings at lockbox facilities …