The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will enforce new rules on how applicants sign immigration benefit requests including H‑1B visa petitions and Green Card applications, starting July 10. This updated policy clarifies that only handwritten or properly reproduced signatures will be accepted. Any filing with copy-pasted, auto-generated, or unauthorised signatures will be rejected or denied, event if it initially passes the intake review.“In order to maintain the integrity of the immigration benefit system and validate the identity of benefit requestors, USCIS rejects any benefit request with an improper signature and returns it to the requestor. USCIS does not provide an opportunity to correct (or cure) a deficient signature. The benefit requestor, however, may resubmit the benefit request with a valid signature. As long as all other filing requirements are met, including payment of the required fee, USCIS may accept the resubmitted benefit request,” said USCIS in a statement.
What counts as a valid signature
USCIS guidance specifies that the following are considered valid:
- Handwritten wet‑ink signatures.
- Scanned, faxed, or photocopied versions of original signatures.
- Certain electronic signatures, but only when USCIS explicitly authorizes them for online filings.
Invalid signatures include typed names, digital signature generators, signature stamps, auto‑pens, or signatures made by attorneys or representatives (except in limited cases such as minors or incapacitated adults).
Dos for applicants
- Always sign by hand before submitting forms.
- Scan or photocopy the signed document if filing electronically.
- Check all signature fields to ensure completion.
- Keep original signed copies for compliance records.
- Follow USCIS instructions for each form type carefully.
Don’ts for applicants
- Do not use typed names or digital tools to generate signatures.
- Do not allow attorneys or agents to sign on your behalf unless legally permitted.
- Do not rely on signature stamps or auto‑pens.
- Do not submit software‑generated signatures unless USCIS has authorized them.
Acceptable and unacceptable signatures
| Acceptable | Unacceptable |
| •Original signature
•Handwritten “X,” or similar mark, in ink (including a fingerprint, if unable to write) •Abbreviated signature, if that is the normal signature •Signature of parent or legal guardian of benefit requestor if requestor is under 14 years of age •Signature by the benefit requestor’s legal guardian, surrogate, or person with a valid durable power of attorney or a similar legally binding document •An original signature on the benefit request that is later photocopied, scanned, faxed, or similarly reproduced, unless otherwise required by form instructions •Electronic signature |
•Typed name on signature line
•Signature by an attorney or representative signing for the requestor or requestor’s child •Signature created by a typewriter, word processor, stamp, auto-pen, or similar device |
