Year-End USCIS Submissions: December Filings Before 2026 Fees

For many immigrants, December is the most important USCIS month of the year. A long list of immigration benefits, filing rules, and fee structures can reset on January 1, and missing that quiet “soft deadline” can lead to higher costs, visa retrogression, gaps in work authorization, or even loss of lawful status. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the end of the calendar year often matters more in practice than any single official deadline notice from USCIS.

Below is a step‑by‑step walk through of the year‑end process so you know what to file, when to file it, and what to expect at each stage.

Step 1: Decide What You Must File Before Year‑End

Start by listing every immigration benefit that will expire or change within the next three to six months. Focus especially on:

• Work permits (EADs) ending in early 2026
• Green card (Adjustment of Status) eligibility in the December Visa Bulletin
• Naturalization (N-400) plans where test or fee changes are expected
• H-1B, F-1, TPS, DACA, and family petitions tied to backlogged categories
• Address changes that require an AR-11 update

This first step should take 1–2 days of careful review of your documents, your employer’s plans, and your school records if you’re a student. If anything expires in the first quarter of 2026, assume December is your best filing window.

Step 2: Check Official Rules, Fees, and the Visa Bulletin for December

Next, confirm the current rules directly with government sources, not social media.

1. Visit USCIS at https://www.uscis.gov to check:
   • Current filing fees
   • Latest form editions
   • Any final rules or alerts about changes on or after January 1
2. Review the December 2025 Visa Bulletin on the U.S. Department of State website to see whether your priority date is current under the Dates for Filing chart. USCIS has directed Adjustment of Status applicants to keep using that chart for December, allowing earlier filing than the Final Action Dates in many categories.

This step usually takes a few hours, but it is essential. If you file with wrong fees or outdated forms after a January change, USCIS can reject your package and you lose your spot in line.

Step 3: Plan Timing — Why Early December Beats December 31

While December 31 is often the last practical day for year‑end submissions, you should aim to file between December 1 and December 20. During this time:

• USCIS mailrooms are open before holiday closures
• Staff levels are higher
• There is still time to fix basic mistakes, such as missing signatures or wrong checks

If you mail on December 30, USCIS may not receive and “lock in” your filing before January 1. That can expose you to:

• New, higher fees
• Policy changes that take effect at the new year
• Visa Bulletin retrogression when categories move backwards in January

Give yourself at least two weeks between the day you send your packet and January 1.

Step 4: Prepare EAD Renewal Filings for Early‑2026 Expirations

If your Employment Authorization Document ends in the first quarter of 2026, December is a vital month.

Common groups who should file now include:

• H-4, L-2, and E dependent spouses
• Pending asylum applicants
• TPS beneficiaries with EADs expiring in early 2026
• F-1 OPT and STEM OPT students whose cards end before around March 2026

Most EAD renewals use Form I-765. Filing in December can qualify certain categories for up to a 540‑day automatic extension, which helps prevent a work gap while USCIS processes the case.

Timeframe: 1–3 weeks, depending on how quickly you gather documents (past EADs, notices, passports, photos) and how soon your employer can provide any required support letters.

Step 5: File Adjustment of Status (I-485) While December Dates Stay Open

For many family and employment categories, December 2025 may be your best chance to file under the current Visa Bulletin.

If your priority date is current under the Dates for Filing chart and USCIS has confirmed you may use that chart, consider filing Form I-485 before December 31. This is especially important for:

• EB‑2 and EB‑3 India and China
• F2A spouses and children of permanent residents
• Other family preference categories that are shown as “current” or close to current in December

By filing in December, you:

• Protect yourself against retrogression when January numbers reset
• Can submit Form I-765 for a work permit and Form I-131 for Advance Parole together with the I‑485
• Lock in an earlier priority date for processing

Gathering medical exams, civil documents, and employer support letters can take 2–4 weeks, so start as early in December as possible.

Step 6: Prepare for USCIS Fee and Form Changes on January 1

USCIS often releases final rules that:

• Increase filing fees
• Change premium processing timelines
• Update form editions

When a rule sets January 1 as the effective date, USCIS will normally require:

• Old forms and fees only until December 31
• New forms and fees for anything received on or after January 1

Before you mail any year‑end packet, double‑check the specific form page, such as:

• Form N-400 for naturalization
• Form I-129 for H‑1B amendments or transfers
• Form I-130 for family petitions
• Form I-129F for fiancé(e) visas

Budget 2–3 days to confirm all fees and editions and to prepare correct checks or money orders.

Step 7: Address H‑1B Year‑End Changes Before Job Shifts

For H-1B workers, late‑year job changes can quickly turn into status problems if you wait past December.

You may need a new or amended Form I-129 if:

• You’re being laid off or changing employers
• Your job location is changing (new client site, new office, remote shift that changes the work area)
• Your new role starts January 1 or early January

Because H‑1B status depends on a proper Labor Condition Application (LCA) and approved petitions, missing the timing can cause gaps that later affect extensions or green card progress. Plan at least 2–4 weeks for your new employer and lawyer to prepare the LCA and the I‑129 packet.

Step 8: Protect F‑1 Status During Winter Break and Spring OPT

For F‑1 students, December is tied closely to school calendars and SEVIS rules. Work with your Designated School Official (DSO) well before winter break to handle:

• Pre‑OPT, Post‑OPT, or STEM OPT applications for spring graduates
• Travel signatures on your Form I‑20 before you leave the United States
• SEVIS record validation for the next term
• Address updates within 10 days of any move

Your OPT or STEM OPT filing still goes to USCIS using Form I-765, but SEVIS notes and your DSO’s timing matter a lot. Allow 3–6 weeks from meeting your DSO to getting the full OPT packet in the mail.

Step 9: File N‑400, Family Petitions, TPS, DACA, and Advance Parole

Several other categories often face quiet but important shifts around January 1.

• Naturalization (N‑400): Filing Form N-400 in December can secure the current English/civics test version and current fees, and may lead to an earlier interview and oath date.
• Family petitions: Filing Form I-130 or Form I-129F in December locks in a priority date that stays valid even if the category retrogresses in January.
• TPS and DACA: These programs often have strict renewal windows and may update fees or rules at the start of a new year. Don’t wait if your EAD or protection ends in early 2026.
• Advance Parole: If you plan travel but need USCIS re‑entry permission, submit Form I-131 early in December to avoid holiday slowdowns.

Processing times vary widely, but expect months, not weeks, for most of these benefits. December filing is about locking in today’s rules, not getting approval by January.

Step 10: File Mandatory Address Updates (AR‑11) Before January 1

USCIS requires most non‑citizens to report a new address within 10 days of moving. This is done using Form AR-11, usually online.

Before January 1, you should file an AR‑11 if you:

• Switched apartments or houses
• Changed dorms or off‑campus housing
• Moved because of a new job
• Updated your main mailing address for the winter

This step only takes 15–30 minutes, but failing to do it can lead to missed biometrics or interview notices, which in turn can cause denials or long delays.

What to Expect from USCIS After You File in December

Once you send your year‑end filings, watch for:

• Receipt notices within a few weeks, confirming USCIS accepted your case under December rules
• Possible Requests for Evidence (RFEs) if documents are missing
• For certain EAD renewals, a notice confirming your automatic extension

You can track cases online using the receipt number printed on your I‑797 notices. USCIS processing will often slow slightly around late December and early January, but your priority is the receipt date, not how fast the case is approved.

Key takeaway: By treating December as your personal deadline month and planning backward from January 1, you give yourself the best chance to keep your status, your job, and your long‑term immigration plans on track.