An earthquake struck Nepal, the Himalayan nation, on April 25, 2015 killing more than 7000 and injuring more than 15000 people. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers immigration relief measures for those affected by natural catastrophes. USCIS has now announced certain relief measures for the nationals of Nepal who are affected by the earthquake.
Following are the USCIS relief measures that the eligible Nepalese can apply for:
- Eligible Nepali nationals can apply for a change or extension of non-immigrant status in the U.S. This applies to those living in the U.S. Their requests will be accepted even if they file applications after the expiration of their authorized period of stay. However, they must show that they are affected by the disaster.
- Those living in the U.S. under humanitarian parole can apply for re-parole and remain in the U.S. They need to remember that parole will not confer any immigration benefits upon them. They can only remain here temporarily.
- Advance parole requests filed by eligible nationals of Nepal will be processed faster.
- Off-campus employment authorization requests filed by F-1 students from Nepal facing economic hardships will be eligible for expedited processing and approval.
- USCIS will also expedite the adjudication of employment authorization applications.
- Those who are unable to pay the USCIS application filing fee will be granted fee waivers. They can submit written requests or file Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver to request their fee to be waived.
- People who have lost their immigration papers issued by the USCIS can file document replacement requests. USCIS will help affected people get their lost or damaged immigration papers replaced.
To get a lost green card replaced, Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, must be filed. Those who have lost their Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, need to file Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival/Departure Record. To replace a work permit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization must be filed.
Recognizing that extreme situations that occur beyond our control can affect immigration applications, USCIS offers immigration benefits for those affected by natural disasters. Upon request, USCIS will grant the available relief measures to the affected people.