USCIS RELATED FORMS & INFORMATION

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A Family-Based Petition allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to petition eligible relatives for lawful permanent residency. The I-130 petition is the first step in helping family members immigrate and join their petitioner in the United States. 

Adjustment of Status is the process for eligible individuals already in the U.S. to apply for lawful permanent residency (a green card) without having to leave the country. This process involves submitting Form I-485 and meeting specific eligibility requirements. 

Affirmative Asylum is a protection process for individuals in the U.S. who fear persecution in their home country due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Applicants file Form I-589 and, if approved, may remain in the U.S. and later apply for permanent residence. 

An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) allows eligible non-citizens in the United States to work legally for a specific period. Individuals typically apply for an EAD while their immigration application or status is being processed by USCIS. 

 The I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence allows certain immigrants, such as conditional permanent residents who obtained status through marriage, to apply for the removal of those conditions. This petition is typically filed jointly by the married couple near the end of the two-year conditional period. Approval of Form I-751 grants the applicant full lawful permanent resident status (a 10-year green card). 

The K-1 Fiancé Visa permits a U.S. citizen to bring their foreign fiancé(e) to the United States for the purpose of marriage. Once admitted, the couple must marry within 90 days, after which the foreign spouse can apply for permanent residency. 

 Enables abused spouses, children, or parents of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to self-petition for legal status without their abuser’s knowledge or consent. Approved applicants may qualify for work authorization, deferred action, and eligibility to apply for permanent residency when eligible 

Naturalization is the process by which a lawful permanent resident becomes a U.S. citizen. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements, submit Form N-400, and complete an interview and citizenship test as part of the process. 

Provides temporary legal status and work authorization to victims of certain crimes who have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse and are willing to assist law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the crime. Qualifying family members may also be included.

Designed for victims of human trafficking, this visa allows survivors and eligible family members to remain in the U.S. up to four years, receive work authorization, and access public benefits. It provides a pathway to permanent residency for those who have cooperated with law enforcement or are unable due to trauma 

 Immigration waivers address inadmissibility issues that prevent U.S. entry or status adjustment. The I-212 waiver allows reapplication after removal, I-601 and I-601A address unlawful presence and past violations, I-192 assists ineligible nonimmigrants, and I-602 handles additional admission barriers. These waivers provide opportunities to overcome immigration obstacles and achieve family unity or permanent residency goals. 

Military Parole in Place (PIP) allows certain family members of U.S. military personnel, veterans, and enlistees to remain lawfully in the United States. By granting parole, this process helps eligible family members avoid removal and, in many cases, pursue adjustment of status to become lawful permanent residents without having to leave the country. 

Green Card Renewal involves submitting Form I-90 to renew or replace a Permanent Resident Card (green card) that is expired, about to expire, lost, damaged, or contains incorrect information. This process ensures lawful permanent residents maintain their valid proof of legal status in the United States. 

The Application for Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600) is used by individuals born outside the United States who are claiming U.S. citizenship through their parents. This process allows eligible applicants to request an official Certificate of Citizenship as proof of their status. 

Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion, is used to file an appeal or motion regarding certain decisions made by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This allows individuals to challenge or request a review of a USCIS decision on various immigration applications or petitions. 

Humanitarian Parole, requested using Form I-131, permits individuals who are otherwise inadmissible to the United States to enter temporarily due to urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. This process is often used in emergency situations or for persons ineligible for standard visas, allowing a discretionary grant of entry for a specified period. 

Form I-912 allows individuals to request a waiver of certain USCIS filing fees if they are unable to pay due to financial hardship. To qualify, applicants must meet specific criteria such as receiving a means-tested benefit, having a household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or experiencing extreme financial hardship. 

A 204L Request provides immigration relief for certain family-sponsored and employment-based beneficiaries when the qualifying relative (petitioner or principal beneficiary) dies during the petition process. If at least one beneficiary was residing in the U.S. at the time of the relative’s death, USCIS may reinstate or continue processing the application. This allows families to maintain their opportunity for lawful permanent residence despite the loss of a qualifying relative 

Form I-821D is used to apply for or renew Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). DACA provides qualifying individuals who arrived in the U.S. as children with temporary protection from deportation and eligibility for work authorization. Applicants must meet specific requirements related to age, arrival, continuous residency, and education or military service.

Advance Parole, requested using Form I-131, is a travel document that allows certain non-U.S. citizens to return to the United States after traveling abroad while their immigration application is pending. It is commonly used by individuals applying for adjustment of status, offering them permission to re-enter the U.S. without abandoning their application. 

Temporary Protected Status (TPS), applied for with Form I-821, allows nationals of designated countries affected by ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or extraordinary conditions to remain and work legally in the United States for a limited, renewable period. TPS provides protection from removal and eligibility for employment authorization during designated periods. 

Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status, obtained by filing Form I-360, is designed for certain undocumented children in the United States who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent. This humanitarian immigration benefit provides a pathway to lawful permanent residency for eligible minors who have obtained a qualifying court order. 

An Affidavit of Support is a legally enforceable document that demonstrates a sponsor’s ability and commitment to financially support an immigrant upon their arrival in the United States.

• Form I-864 is used primarily for family-based and some employment-based immigrants seeking permanent residency, ensuring they will not become a public charge.
• Form I-134 is used for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants and humanitarian parolees as evidence of financial support during their stay.

Form I-539 is filed by individuals in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa who wish to extend their stay or change to another nonimmigrant status. This application is commonly used by students, visitors, and dependents to maintain lawful status without leaving the country, as long as eligibility requirements are met. 

A Request for Expedited Processing allows applicants to ask USCIS to process their immigration petition or application more quickly than the standard timeframe. Expedited requests are considered under specific criteria, such as severe financial loss, emergencies, humanitarian reasons, nonprofit organization interests, or in cases of U.S. government interest. Supporting documentation is required, and approval is granted at USCIS’s discretion. 

A Request for Evidence (RFE) is a notice issued by USCIS when additional documentation or information is needed to make a decision on an immigration petition or application. Receiving an RFE does not mean a denial; rather, it provides applicants the opportunity to address specific questions or submit missing evidence within a specified deadline. Responding thoroughly and promptly to an RFE is essential for continued processing of the case. 

Humanitarian reinstatement is a discretionary USCIS process that lets the principal beneficiary of an approved I-130 continue the case after the petitioner’s death. The beneficiary submits a written request with evidence, including the death certificate and an affidavit of support from a substitute sponsor, to the USCIS office that approved the petition. USCIS reviews factors like family impact, health, and U.S. residence before deciding. If approved, the petition is reinstated and the case proc

Form N-565 is used to request a replacement for a lost, stolen, damaged, or incorrect Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship. Eligible individuals can use this form to obtain a new document if there have been changes to personal information or if the original certificate is otherwise invalid. 

The Change of Address process is completed by filing Form AR-11 and requires most non-citizens in the United States to inform USCIS of any change in their home address within 10 days of moving. Updating your address is essential to ensure receipt of important immigration documents and compliance with legal obligations. Failure to report a change of address can have negative consequences on pending or future immigration applications. 

A FOIA Request allows individuals to obtain copies of their immigration records or other information held by USCIS. The Freedom of Information Act enables applicants, petitioners, or their representatives to request access to case files, documents, or correspondence that may be important for understanding past decisions or preparing new filings. This process involves submitting a formal request and may take several weeks to process, depending on the volume and complexity of the request.