New Classes of Admission for Surviving Spouses and Children of Deceased U.S. Government Employees Abroad

On November 25, 2024, USCIS announced several new Classes of Admission (COAs) to support surviving spouses and children of deceased U.S. government employees who were stationed overseas. These COAs are aimed at helping eligible family members maintain lawful immigration status or adjust their status after the loss of a loved one. The announcement provides eligibility criteria and procedural details for these individuals to apply for immigration benefits.

Previous COAs created in 2022 and 2023:

SS1 - Surviving spouse or child of deceased USG employee (Arrival); and

GS1 - Certain surviving spouses or children of USG Significant Immigrant Visa employee under the Grateful Act (an individual with a GV1 COA) (Arrival).

Additional COAs Created:

SS2 - Spouse of SS1 surviving spouse (Arrival);

SS3 - Child of SS1 surviving spouse or child (Arrival);

SS6 - Surviving spouse or child of deceased USG employee (Adjustment);

SS7 - Spouse of SS6 (Adjustment);

SS8 - Child of SS6 unrelated to deceased USG employee (Adjustment);

GS2 - Current spouse of GS1 (if any) (Arrival);

GS3 - Unmarried child of GS1 (if any) (Arrival);

GS6 - Certain surviving spouses or children of GV1 eligible person (Adjustment);

GS7 - Current surviving spouse of GS1/GS6 (if any) (Adjustment); and

GS8 - Unmarried child of GS1/GS6 (if any) (Adjustment).

Impact:

Family members with these COAs are lawful permanent residents and are authorized to work and reside in the United States.

Documentation:

These surviving family members may present the following documentation that includes any of the following COAs: SS1, SS2, SS3, SS6, SS7, SS8, GS1, GS2, GS3, GS6, GS7, or GS8. 

• Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (Green Card); 
• Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record with a temporary I-551 Permanent Resident stamp;
• Foreign passport with a temporary I-551 Permanent Resident stamp; or
• Foreign passport with an I-551 Machine Readable Immigrant Visa.
• Additional immigration statuses and categories, if any; and
• Pending immigration applications.

(Immigration laws and policies change regularly.  If you have any questions regarding this article, please visit www.1visa1.com to schedule a legal consultation.)