A new USCIS policy alert, effective August 15, 2025, changes how the age of a child is calculated under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA). The update, which amends Volume 7, Part A, Chapter 7 of the Policy Manual, specifies that USCIS will now use the Final Action Dates chart (Chart A) from the Visa Bulletin to determine when a priority date becomes current for age calculation purposes. This policy reverts to a previous interpretation and aligns USCIS procedures with the Department of State’s long-standing view.
Key Changes and Context
Previously, a February 2023 policy update had allowed certain children, specifically those in the F-21 category and derivatives in family-based preference categories, to lock in their age earlier than when Chart A became current. This led to a discrepancy between the two agencies’ interpretations of the CSPA.
- New Policy: Starting August 15, 2025, USCIS will use Chart A, Final Action Dates to calculate a child’s CSPA age.
- Impact: This change ensures consistency between USCIS and the Department of State, eliminating prior inconsistencies.
Applicability
The new policy will not apply to adjustment of status applications that were filed or are pending before August 15, 2025. This means only applications filed on or after this date will be subject to the new age calculation method.
Link to Policy Manual: https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-7-part-a-chapter-7
USCIS alert: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-updates-policy-on-cspa-age-calculation