A missing signature may cost H-1B, US visa applicants their filing window

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a new interim rule that tightens how the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will handle signatures on immigration applications, including H-1B petitions and Green Card filings. The rule will take effect from July 10, 2026.

Under the rule, USCIS can reject or deny immigration benefit requests if officers later find signature-related problems, even after an application has already been accepted for processing. The agency also clarified that applicants may lose filing fees and could be forced to refile applications if signatures are deemed invalid.

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The change applies across the immigration system and could affect employment-based visa filings, adjustment of status applications and employer-sponsored Green Card cases.

What the rule changes

The signature requirement itself is not new. USCIS has long required valid signatures on immigration forms. However, DHS said the rules were not applied consistently earlier and applicants often did not clearly understand how USCIS handled deficient signatures.

The new rule gives immigration officers broader authority to reject or deny cases at later stages if signature defects are discovered during processing.

USCIS has clarified that there is no way to “cure” a deficient signature after filing. Applicants would need to submit a fresh application.

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What signatures USCIS will accept

USCIS continues to treat handwritten signatures as the standard format for paper filings.

The agency will also accept:

• Scanned copies of original wet-ink signatures
• Faxed or photocopied versions of originally signed documents
• Certain electronic signatures in limited USCIS-authorised online filing systems

What applicants should avoid

The agency said several forms of signatures will not be accepted for paper filings, including:

• Copy-paste signatures
• Digitally generated signatures
• Signature stamps
• Auto-generated signatures
• Signatures created using software tools
• Signatures made by someone other than the applicant or petitioner, including attorneys in most cases

The interim rule is currently open for public comments before it comes into force in July.