How to fill out Form I-693 (For the Applicant)

The I-693 includes 10 parts. As the Applicant you only need to fill out Part 1 before your doctor appointment. You will also need to write your name and Alien Number (when you have one) at the top of each page of the form. This should be an 8 or 9 digit number starting with the letter A and can be found on any letters or notices you may have received from the Department of Homeland Security.To fill out Part 1 you will need:

• Your full name (your legal name)
• Your address – the place you live, PO boxes will not work
• Your sex
• Your date of birth
• The city, town, or village in which you were born
• The country you were born in
• Your Alien Registration Number (A-Number) if you have one
• Your USCIS online account number, if you have one

As the Applicant you will also need to fill out Part 2. This part is where you give some contact information and sign the form. You MUST fill out this section with the civil surgeon present to witness you filling it out. Form I-693 is included in Green Card Application Builder

Doctor Appointment

To find a USCIS certified surgeon:

• Go to uscis.gov‍
• Select “Find a Doctor”
• Enter your ZIP Code
• Click “Search"

A list of doctors in your area should appear. Select one and make an appointment by calling the number next to it.

How to fill out Form I-693 (For the Interpreter

You will be required to fill out Part 3. This includes:

• Your name
• The name and address of the business or organization (when applicable)
• Your daytime telephone number
• Your mobile telephone number (if you have one)
• Your email address (if you have one)
• Your signature and the date

How to fill out Form I-693 (For the Civil Surgeon)

As a USCIS certified civil surgeon you are required to report true and accurate results from your examination.To do this you will need to take down the information from the Applicant’s government-issued identification. You will also be responsible for witnessing that the Applicant fills out and signs Part 2.You will need to follow the most recent Department of Health and Human Services regulations and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Those guidelines can be found here.You may also be asked to make referrals and file case reports. These processes can also be found in the CDC guidelines.When filling out the I-693 you will need to:

• Verify the Applicant’s Identification Information
• Give a summary of the medical examination, after the exam and any follow-ups necessary are completed
• Give your contact information and sign the form after the examination is complete, certifying that you are a legal civil surgeon. (If you are performing the assessment for a refugee adjustment applicant you will need to include the licensed physician that was present during the examination and the official stamp or raised seal of the health department. If you are a military physician performing the examination for a member or veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or Coast Guard or certain eligible dependents, the licensed military physician’s signature – who is operating under the blanket civil surgeon – is required as well as the official stamp or raised seal of the military treatment facility.)
• Fill out the worksheet included in the I-693
• Include the results of any lab work or other studies that were required to determine whether the Applicant is inadmissible to the U.S. on health-related issue
• If a referral is required, fill out Item 5 in the worksheet found in Part 7. The physician referred will then need to fill out Part 8. (If a referral is not necessary, leave Item 5 in the worksheet blank.)

Is there a filing fee?

There is no filing fee for the I-693.

How to file the I-693

• Make an appointment with a civil surgeon certified by USCIS.
• Fill out Part 1. In your I-693. (Do not sign it yet. You must sign the form in front of the civil surgeon.)
• Keep your appointment with the civil surgeon. If more visits are necessary, attend all of those as well. Make sure to bring proof of your identity and any medical records you may have with you to your appointment. For proof of identity bring a valid government-issued photo identification (i.e. valid passport or driver’s license). If you are under 14 documents must show your name, place of birth, parents’ full names, and any other information that can identify you (i.e. birth certificates or affidavits, include translations when necessary).
• The civil surgeon should complete the I-693, witness you signing it, and make a copy. The civil surgeon should seal the original I-693 in an envelope and give it to you to submit to USCIS and give you the copy they made.
• You should then submit the sealed letter to USCIS. If you are filing the I-693 because you are applying for and adjustment of status you may do this in one of three ways:
• Mail it with your Form I-485 to the address that matches your reason for filing the I-485. A list of reasons for filing the I-485 and the address needed can be found here.
• Mail the I-693 after you’ve mailed the I-485 to the address specified in your latest communication with USCIS.
• Submit the I-693 in person when you go in for an interview at a USCIS field office.

If you are not applying for an adjustment of status, follow the instructions given by the office requesting the medical examination.

Ways to fill out the Form I-693

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Last Updated: January 15, 2020.

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You need to submit the Form I-131 when you are applying for: a Reentry Permit, a Refugee Travel Document, or an Advance Parole Document. In addition to the form, you also need to submit various supporting documents. This form I-131 checklist will help figure out which documents you need to include.

There are some basic items you will need to include when submitting the Form I-131 regardless of your situation. There are also some additional items you may need to submit based on the reason for your application (Reentry Permit, Refugee Travel Document, or Advance Parole Document).

Let's get started with the basic form I-131 checklist you need to include:

Basic Form I-131 Checklist:

• A copy of your filled out Form I-131
• Identity documentation: a copy of an official document which shows your photo, name, and date of birth. For example, a current Employment Authorization Document, a valid driver’s license, the passport identity page, Form I-551, or a Permanent Resident Card.
• Photographs
• Biometrics Services (Please note: there is a biometrics services fee for those applicants between 14-79 seeking Reentry Permits and/or Refugee Travel Documents..)
• Filing Fee

Reentry Permit Checklist:

You need to attach a copy (front and back) of your Form I-551.

If you do not have your I-551 you have 2 options:

• Include a copy of the biographic pages of your passport and the visa page that shows your initial admission as a lawful resident; OR
• A copy of your Form I-797

Refugee Travel Document Checklist:

Attach a copy of the document showing your refugee (or asylee) status. This document should have been issued to you by the USCIS. It should include the expiration date of your refugee status.

If you are younger than 16 your filing fee will be $105. If you are 16 or older it will be $135.

Note: The application fee may not be required. This is true if you payed the fee and filed Form I-485 on or after 30 July 2007 and your I-485 is still pending. You must also now hold US refugee or asylee status.

Advance Parole Document Checklist:

The following requirements only apply for individuals who are currently in the US. You will need to attach:

• A copy of a document showing your current status in the US, issued to you by USCIS
• An explanation (or evidence) for the circumstances that prove why you qualify for an Advance Parole Document; OR
  • If you are seeking an adjustment of status – a copy of the receipt from USCIS. This receipt proves you filed the adjustment application; OR
  • If you are traveling to Canada to apply for an immigrant visa – a copy of the appointment letter from the US consular; OR
  • If your case has been deferred – under DACA by USCIS, include a copy of your I-797. If your case has been deferred by ICE, include a copy of your approval order, notice, or letter issued by ICE.
• You must also complete Part 4 for the I-131, and include evidence to support your claim. There are 3 accepted purposes:
  • Educational: include a letter from the school describing the purpose of travel and why your travel is necessary. OR include a document showing your in enrollment in a program that requires travel.
  • Employment: include a letter from your employer or conference host describing the need for travel.
  • Humanitarian: include a letter from your physician explaining your medical condition, the treatment you are seeking, and why your travel is medically necessary. OR include documentation of a family member’s illness or death.
• Your filing fee will be $575.

If you are seeking an Advance Parole Document and you are outside the US you have a couple of options. You make file under a Family Reunification Parole policy or not.

• Under one of the Family Reunification Parole policies you will need to attach:
  • For HFRP: the completed document described by the HFRP Program in the application instructions of their invitation letter
  • For CFRP: the completed document described by the CFRP Program in the application instructions of their invitation letter
  • For the FWVP Program:
    • A copy of your I-797 or a printout from Case Status Online
    • Your completed Form I-134
    • Evidence that the WWII service from the Filipino veteran was previously recognized by the US Army. This service is to be defined by section 405 of the Immigration Act of 1990, as it is amended.
    • Evidence of your marriage and a copy of your spouse’s death certificate. If you are the surviving spouse of the Filipino WWII veteran
  • If you are not filing under one of the Family Reunification Parole polices listed above you will need to include:
    • For humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons:
      • A detailed description of why such a situation requires an Advance Parole Document
      • An explanation of the length time for which you are requesting the parole
      • Copies of evidence that show the basis of your request.
    • Your Form I-134
    • A statement explaining why you cannot obtain a US visa. This statement should include when and where you have tried to obtain a visa. Or an explanation for why you did not seek a visa when entering the US.
    • If it applies to you, include a statement explaining why a waiver of inadmissibility cannot be obtained. Include when and where you a have attempted to obtain a waiver, and a copy of any DHS decisions about your waiver request. Or an explanation for why you have not sought a waiver.
    • A copy of any decision on an immigrant or non-immigrant petition or application and evidence regarding a pending petition or application.
    • And, unless the evidence submitted showing your photo, name, and date of birth was your passport, you will need to include:
      • A copy of the biographical page of your beneficiary’s passport. If their passport is not available, provide an explanation for why and include a different government-issued identity document that shows the beneficiary’s citizenship.
      • Copies of your and your Form I-134 sponsor’s official identity documents and evidence of your sponsor’s citizenship or US immigration status. This could be a copy of a US passport, lawful permanent resident card, or birth certificate.

Note: If you are filing for an Advance Parole Document, the application fee may not be required. This is true if, you payed the fee and filed Form I-485 on or after 30 July 2007 and it is still pending. You must also be returning to the US after temporary foreign travel. In this case, you may file your I-131 with your I-485. Or you can submit your I-131 later. You will then need to submit a copy of your I-797 to show you paid your I-485 fee.

Ways to fill out and submit Form I-131:

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Last Updated: January 15, 2020.

‍

What is the Form I-131 Travel Application?

Form I-131 is a travel application. This travel document often is used by green card holders.

You can use it to apply for a re-entry permit, refugee travel document or advance parole travel document.

• A Re-entry permit enables a lawful permanent resident or conditional permanent resident (Green Card Holders qualify for both of these categories) to apply to be admitted into the United States, after returning from travel abroad, without the need to obtain a returning resident visa from a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate.
• A Refugee Travel Document can be allotted to an individual in valid refugee or asylee status, or to a lawful permanent resident who obtained refugee or asylee status in the United States.
  • Individuals who hold asylee or refugee status and are not lawful permanent residents must have a Refugee Travel Document to return to the United States after travel abroad, unless they possess an Advance Parole Document.
  • You should apply for a Refugee Travel Document BEFORE you leave the United States.
• An Advance Parole Travel Document allows you to physically enter into the United States for a specific purpose without applying for a visa.
  • This document can authorize you to appear at a port of entry to seek parole into the United States. However, someone who has been “paroled” has not been permanently admitted to the United States and remains an “applicant for admission” even while paroled.
  • Although the document may be accepted by a transportation company instead of a visa as permission to travel to the United States, an Advance Parole Document cannot replace a required passport. Most Advance Parole Documents are issued for multiple entries; however; some are issued for single entries.

Form I-131 is Included with SimpleCitizen.

What supporting documents do I attach to Form I-131?

You will need the following documents in order to fill out and submit I-131:

• Your application with the filing fee.
• A copy of an official photo identity document showing your photo, name, and date of birth
  • These include: your current Employment Authorization Document, if available; a valid government-issued driver’s license; passport identity page; Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card; or any other official identity document.
  • Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record is not acceptable as a photo identity document.

Document Upload is Included with SimpleCitizen.

Additional Documentation Required for Reentry Permit Application:

• A copy of the front and back of your Form I-551; OR
  • If you have not yet received your Form I-551, a copy of the biographic pages of your passport and a copy of the visa page showing your initial admission as a lawful permanent resident, or other evidence that you are a lawful permanent resident
• A copy of the Form I-797, Notice of Action, approval notice of an application for replacement of your Form I-551 or temporary evidence of lawful permanent resident status.

Additional Documentation Required for Refugee Travel Document Application:

• A copy of the document issued to you by USCIS showing your refugee or asylee status and the expiration date of this status.

Additional Documentation Required for Individuals Currently In the U.S.:

• A copy of any document issued to you by USCIS showing your present status, if any, in the United States; AND
• An explanation or other evidence showing the circumstances that warrant issuance of an Advance Parole Document; OR
  • If you are an applicant for adjustment of status, a copy of a USCIS receipt to prove that you filed the adjustment application; OR
  • If you are traveling to Canada to apply for an immigrant visa, a copy of the U.S. consular appointment letter; OR
  • If USCIS has deferred action in your case under DACA, you must include a copy of the Form I-797 (Notice of Action) showing that the decision on your Form I-821D was to defer action in your case. If ICE deferred action in your case under DACA, submit a copy of the approval order, notice or letter issued by ICE.

Additional Documentation Required for Individuals Outside of the U.S.:

• A detailed description of why you are requesting an Advance Parole Document (urgent humanitarian reasons, significant public benefit reasons), an explanation for the length of time for which parole is requested, and copies of any evidence and documentation that supports the reasoning behind your request.
• Form I-134 (Affidavit of Support)
• A statement explaining why a U.S. visa cannot be obtained, including when and where attempts were made to obtain a visa, or an explanation of why a visa was not sought to enter the United States
• If applicable, a statement explaining why a waiver of inadmissibility cannot be obtained to allow issuance of a visa, including when and where attempts were made to obtain a waiver, and a copy of any DHS decision on your waiver request, or an explanation of why a waiver has not been sought
• A copy of any decision on an immigrant or non-immigrant petition or application filed for an individual seeking to enter the United States, and evidence regarding any pending immigrant or non-immigrant petition or application
• In addition to the identity document described in Item 1. Initial Evidence above, unless such document is a valid passport:
  • A copy of the biographical page of the beneficiary’s passport or, if it is not available, an explanation why a passport is not available and another government-issued identity document that establishes the beneficiary’s citizenship; and
  • Copies of the petitioner’s and Form I-134 sponsor’s official identity documents and evidence of their citizenship or U.S. immigration status (such as a copy of a U.S. passport, lawful permanent resident card, or birth certificate).

What is the processing time for Form I-131?

USCIS does not specify an average processing time for review and acceptance of Form I-131. However, USCIS processes forms in the order in which they are filed, so the sooner you submit your form, the faster it’ll be approved.

What is the Form I-131 mailing address?

You may submit Form I-131 by mail or online to USCIS. The direct filing addresses differ based on the type of travel document for which you are applying and immigration status you hold. You can find direct filing addresses on the USCIS website. For online applications, information about where to send your supporting documentation is provided when you submit your application electronically. You will be provided with a confirmation sheet when you submit your application online and you must place a copy of this confirmation sheet on top of your supporting documentation when you mail it to USCIS.

What is the Form I-131 class of admission?

The Form I-131 class of admission refers to the visa category by which you were admitted as an immigrant to the United States as a permanent resident or conditional permanent resident.

How long does my travel authorization last as granted through Form 1-131?

Travel authorization lasts for different periods of time for the following documents:

• Typically, a Reentry Permit issued to a lawful permanent resident is valid for 2 years from the date of issuance. It may not be extended.
• A Refugee Travel Document is valid for 1 year. It may not be extended.
• An Advance Parole Travel Document is valid for up to 1 year. Individuals may be granted a multiple entry or a single entry document.

What is the Form I-131 filing fee? Do I qualify for a fee waiver?

The Form I-131 filing fee ranges from $105 to $575 depending on your age and type of travel application you are requesting. Biometric service appointments are required in all cases and cost either nothing or $85 depending again on your age and type of travel application.  You do not need to pay a fee to file Form I-131 under the following conditions:

• You are filing Form I-131 Application Type B or D.
• You filed a Form I-485 with a fee on or after July 30, 2007.
• Your Form I-485 is still pending.

You may qualify for a fee waiver under 8 CFR 103.7(c). If you are eligible for a fee waiver, complete and submit Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) with any required evidence of your inability to pay the filing fee with this application. You can review the fee waiver guidance at https://www.uscis.gov/feewaiver.

What if my documentation is in a language other than English?

Any document containing foreign language must be accompanied by a full English language translation which the translator has certified as complete and accurate. You must also include the translator’s certification that he or she is adequately able to translate from the foreign language into English.

Certified Document Translation is Included with SimpleCitizen.

What do I do after I fill out I-131?

After processing your application for a Reentry Permit, USCIS will inform you in writing when to go to your local Application Support Center (ASC) for your biometrics services appointment. This appointment is to gather physical data by which a person can be uniquely identified. At your biometrics appointment, USCIS will collect your fingerprints, take your photo, and have you sign your name for electronic capture. You must attend the biometrics services appointment in order to finalize your travel authorization. If you do not attend the appointment, your application may be denied.

Ways to fill out and submit Form I-131:

Fill Out On a Computer

Download and view in a PDF viewer.

Download PDF

SimpleCitizen's Application Builder

Form I-131 is included with SimpleCitizen.

Get Started *Includes Attorney Review

Print & Fill Out Paper Form

Print the PDF and fill by hand with black pen.

Print PDF

Hire a Legal Professional

Find a legal professional to complete the form.

Visit AILA.com

Don’t Forget:

• Upon returning to the United States, most people must present a valid H, L, K, or V nonimmigrant visa for re-entry.

Last Updated: July 9, 2020.

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What is Form I-765?

Form I-765 is the application for employment authorization.

What is employment authorization?

Employment authorization is when USCIS gives temporary authorization for employment to non-citizens. Immigrants can use Form I-765 to request an employment authorization document (EAD). This document grants the non-citizen temporary employment authorization in the United States.

Do I have to submit the Form I-765?

You must apply for an EAD with Form I-765 if you:

• Are approved to work in the United States due to your immigration status (asylee, refugee, or nonimmigrant) and need evidence of that employment authorization.
• Need to apply for permission to work, or to request employment authorization. You may have a:
  • pending Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
  • pending Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal.
  • a nonimmigrant status that does not allow you to work in the United States without first seeking permission from USCIS (such as an F-1 or M-1 student).

You do NOT need to apply for an EAD if you are a lawful permanent resident, conditional resident, or nonimmigrant. Your Green Card provides sufficient proof of your employment authorization. You also do NOT need to apply for an EAD if you possess a nonimmigrant visa that authorizes you to work for a specific employer (for example, an H-1B, L-1B, O, or P visa).

Can I work while my Green Card application is processing?

Processing Timeline: USCIS previously issued work authorization within 90 days, but their current processing time averages 4-7 months. While it can be frustrating to wait that long to receive work authorization, these processing times are shorter than the current green card wait times and are meant to make the wait time for the green card a little easier.

Required Supporting Documents

You will need the following documents in order to submit I-765:

• Your application with the filing fee.

If you are mailing your application to USCIS, you must also submit the following documentation, according to USCIS:

• A copy of Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record (front and back), if available. If you are filing Form I-765 under the (c)(9) category, Form I-94 is not required.
• A copy of your last EAD (front and back). If no prior EAD has been issued, you must submit a copy of a government-issued identity document, such as a passport showing your picture, name, and date of birth; a birth certificate with photo ID; a visa issued by a foreign consulate; or a national ID document with photo and/ or fingerprint. The identity document photocopy must clearly show the facial features of the applicant and the biographical information. If you are filing under the (c)(33) category, additional documentation is not required.
• You must submit two identical color photographs of yourself taken within 30 days of filing your application. The photos must have a white to off-white background, be printed on thin paper with a glossy finish, and be unmounted and un-retouched. The passport-style photos must be 2” by 2”. The photos must be in color with full face, frontal view on a white to off-white background. Head height should measure 1” to 1 3/8” from top to bottom of chin, and eye height is between 1 1/8’ to 1 3/8” from bottom of photo. Your head must be bare unless you are wearing headwear as required by a religious order of which you are a member. Using pencil or felt pen, lightly print your name and Alien Receipt Number on the back of the photo.”

What is the Form I-765 filing address?

If you're filing the form directly, the address depends on the eligibility category you entered in Question 16 of Form I-765. If you are filing I-765 with another form, file both documents at the location required by the other form. Use the addresses found on the USCIS website only when you are not submitting I-765 with another form.

How much is the Form I-765 filing fee?

There are multiple different fee categories for Form I-765 depending on the circumstances of the filing. In general, the filing fee of Form I-765 ranges from $0-$520.

If an applicant submits the Form I-765 with a family-based green card application (Form I-485), then typically it would cost $520 for paper filing and $470 for online filing. Subsequent Form I-765 renewals associated with the pending Form i-485 have a fee of $260, whether filed by paper or online method.

Can I get the fee waived?

You may qualify for a fee waiver if you provide documentation for any of the following eligibility criteria:

• You, your spouse, or the head of household living with you, are currently receiving a means-tested benefit.
• Your household income is at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Check the current Federal Poverty Guidelines for this year to see if your household income qualifies.
• You are currently experiencing financial hardship that hinders you from paying the filing fee, such as unexpected medical bills, emergencies, and other unforeseen circumstances.

You may file for a fee waiver by filling out Form 912 (Request for a Fee Waiver).

• There is no filing fee for this form.
• You cannot file online if you are requesting a fee waiver. You will need to file paper versions of the fee waiver request and the form for which you are requesting a fee waiver, together. Do not file the two forms separately.
• Each person applying for a fee waiver must sign and date the Form I-912.

Instead of filing Form-912, you may also file for a fee waiver by writing a letter with all the necessary information that states your request for a fee waiver, is signed by everyone requesting the fee waiver, and includes all the necessary supporting evidence.

For further information on proof of documentation and eligibility, check the USCIS Fee Waiver information sheet.

How do I renew my I-765?

If your EAD has expired or will be expiring soon, you can submit a new Form I-765 and filing fee (unless a fee waiver has been requested and granted) to file for a renewal EAD. Do not file for a renewal EAD more than 180 days before your initial EAD expires.

How do I request a replacement EAD?

You may follow the renewal process listed above to request a replacement EAD for lost, stolen, or destroyed documents. If your EAD contains incorrect information that is not due to a USCIS error, you must submit a new I-765 form, a filing fee, the required documentation, and the card containing the error.

If your EAD contains incorrect information that is due to a USCIS error, you do NOT need to submit a new I-765 form or a filing fee. USCIS will process your replacement request at no cost. In this case, you must send the original card containing the error, a detailed written explanation of the card error, and supporting documentation on the correct information. Submit this information to the service center or National Benefit Center that approved your latest Form I-765.

What if my documentation is in a language other than English?

Any document containing foreign language must be accompanied by a full English language translation which the translator has certified as complete and accurate. You must also include the translator’s certification that he or she is adequately able to translate from the foreign language into English.

Do I receive updates when USCIS has accepted my Form I-765?

Yes. To do so, fill out Form G-1145 (E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance) and attach it to the first page of your I-765 application.

Don't Forget:

1. You must complete all sections of the form. The form will be rejected if any of these fields are missing:
   • Number 1 – Full Name
   • Number 3 – U.S. Mailing Address
   • Number 6 – Date of Birth
   • Number 20 – Eligibility Category
2. Remember to sign your form! USCIS will reject and return any unsigned form.
3. Biometrics Services Appointment: After receiving your application and ensuring completeness, USCIS will inform you in writing when to go to your local USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) for your biometrics services appointment. This appointment is to gather physical data by which a person can be uniquely identified. At your biometrics appointment, USCIS will collect your fingerprints, take your photo, and have you sign your name for electronic capture. If you do not attend the appointment, your application may be denied.

Last Updated: May 13, 2022.

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So you've submitted your Form I-131 and are ready to travel outside of the United States. But where exactly can you go? Here's a simple guide to international travel after submitting Form I-131.

Getting your Travel Document

Submitting Form I-131 alone isn't going to allow you to travel. Form I-131 is actually an application for a travel document, which you can use for some types of travel. There are four different types of travel documents that you can get, based on your immigration status:

• Advance Parole
• Refugee Travel Document
• Re-entry Permit
• Carrier Documentation

Traveling with a Travel Document

So where can you go with a travel document? It depends. Each country decides its own policy in regards to U.S. travel documents. Some countries will require a tourist visa, others will not. Some countries also require immunizations or have other travel requirements.In general, you should plan your trip carefully to make sure you'll meet the travel requirements for each country that you're planning on visiting. Check out the Department of State's website for information about countries and their travel requirements. Don't forget that if you have a passport from your country of origin, you can use that for international travel as well.

Returning to the United States

The most important thing that your travel document does is that it lets you get back into the U.S. after your trip is over. If you don't have a travel document with you, you'll have a hard time getting back in. That's why it's important to submit Form I-131 and receive your travel document BEFORE you leave.If you're a lawful or conditional permanent resident and are planning to be abroad for over a year, you should apply for a Re-entry Permit. This will allow you to apply for admission to the U.S. after your trip without having to get a returning resident visa. For more instructions on traveling outside the U.S. for lawful permanent residents, click here. If your Re-entry Permit or green card is lost or destroyed while you're abroad, you'll need to submit Form I-131A, which will allow you to get Carrier Documentation. Carrier Documentation is basically a travel document that you can show to an airline or other transportation service so that they'll take you to the U.S.If you have asylum or refugee status and are NOT a lawful permanent resident, you'll need a Refugee Travel Document to get back into the U.S. unless you have an Advance Parole Document.If you're still in the process of adjusting your residency status or applying for asylum, you'll need an Advance Parole Document. If you leave the country without an Advance Parole Document, your application will be considered abandoned unless you fall into one of these categories:

• H-1 temporary worker (or H-4 spouse or child of H-1)
• L-1 intracompany transferee (or L-2 spouse or child of L-1)
• K-3 spouse or K-4 child of a U.S. citizen
• V-1 spouse or V-2/V-3 child of a lawful permanent resident

If you do fall into one of these categories, you'll still need to present your valid nonimmigrant visa upon returning to the U.S.Enjoy your trip!

Ways to fill out the Form I-131

Fill Out On a Computer

Download and view in a PDF viewer.

Download PDF

‍

SimpleCitizen's Application Builder

Form I-131 is included with SimpleCitizen.

Get Started*Includes Attorney Review

‍

Print & Fill Out Paper Form

Print the PDF and fill by hand with black pen.

Print PDF

‍

Hire a Legal Professional

Find a legal professional to complete the form.

Visit AILA.com

‍

Last Updated: Feb. 7, 2020.

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Do you have a family member that is applying for legal permanent residency?

Are you going to be the sponsor? Do you meet all the requirements to be a sponsor?

This guide will help you figure out if you meet the requirements for being a sponsor.

What is a financial sponsor?

Being a financial sponsor to an immigrant means the U.S. Government will consider your income and assets (such as checking and savings accounts, stocks, bonds, or property) as available to support the potential immigrant.

Who can sponsor? Who needs a sponsor?

You may sponsor a relative, an employee, or a prospective or currently adopted child wishing to immigrate to the United States. If you filed an immigrant visa petition for your relative, you must be the sponsor.

Anyone applying to be a permanent resident through a family member must have a financial sponsor. A sponsor is also required for a family member coming to work for a relative, or for a company in which a relative owns 5 percent or more of the company.

Am I eligible to become a sponsor?

To qualify to be a financial sponsor for a green card applicant, you must meet the following requirements:

1. You must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
2. You must have a domicile in either the U.S. or a U.S. territory or possession (i.e. you must live there).
3. You must prove an income level at or above 125 percent of the Federal poverty level (100 percent for active duty military personnel).
4. You must submit an affidavit of support, which can be done by submitting Form I-864.

Income requirement to be a financial sponsor?

You must prove an income level at or above 125 percent of the Federal poverty level. (For active duty military personnel, the income requirement is 100 percent of the poverty level when sponsoring a husband, wife, or children.) Federal poverty levels are updated each year by the Department of Health and Human Services.

You can check current minimums at their website at www.aspe.hhs.gov.

What is Form I-864?

Form I-864 acts as an affidavit of support, which is a document an individual signs to accept financial responsibility for another person, usually a relative, who is coming to the United States to live permanently. The form proves that the immigrant has the financial means to live in the United States without needing welfare or financial benefits from the U.S. government. The person who signs the affidavit of support becomes the sponsor of the relative (or other individual) coming to live in the United States. The sponsor is usually the petitioner of an immigrant petition for a family member.

As the sponsor, you should fill out Form I-864 when your relative is about to submit an application for adjustment to permanent resident status with the USCIS or with an Immigration Court in the United States.

What if I don't meet the financial requirements?

If your income alone does not meet the requirement, your assets (such as checking and savings accounts, stocks, bonds, or property) may be considered in determining your financial ability. You may also submit the I-864 as a joint sponsor or a substitute sponsor.

What is a joint sponsor?

A joint sponsor is someone who is willing to accept legal responsibility for supporting your immigrating family member with you. A joint sponsor must meet all the same requirements as you; however, the joint sponsor does not need to be related to the immigrant.

The joint sponsor (or his or her household) must reach the 125% income requirement alone. You cannot combine your income with that of a joint sponsor to meet the income requirement.

Does a joint sponsor also need to fill out I-864?

Yes, a joint sponsor must also fill out Form I-864. Additionally, if you are using the income of other household members to qualify, then each household member must complete a separate Form I-864A.

What documentation do I need to fill out Form I-864?

You must provide the following documentation to fill out Form I-864:

• Your U.S. federal income tax return for the most recent tax year.
• Proof of current employment.

How do I submit Form I-864

Upon completing Form I-864, compiling the necessary documentation, and having the affidavit (or form I-864) notarized in the United States or before a U.S. consular or immigration officer, you should provide this packet of information to your relative to submit with his or her application for permanent resident status. If you are given specific instructions to file your affidavit of support directly with the National Visa Center, you should follow those instructions.

What is the cost to submit Form I-864?

There is no filing fee. However, the National Visa Center (NVC) does send the sponsor a processing fee before the case will be processed.

How long am I responsible for the immigrant?

The sponsor's legal financial responsibility usually lasts until the immigrant either becomes a U.S. citizen, can be credited with 40 quarters of work (usually 10 years), leaves the U.S. permanently, or dies.

Do I need to inform USCIS if I move or change addresses as a sponsor?

Yes, by legal requirement. If you change your address, you will need to file a Form I-865, Sponsor’s Notice of Change of Address, within 30 days after the date of your move.

What if I fail to provide financial support?

An affidavit of support is legally enforceable against a sponsor. If a sponsor does not provide basic support to the immigrants they sponsor, the individuals sponsored may receive “means-tested public benefits.” If the individual you sponsored receives any of these public benefits, you are responsible for repaying the cost of those benefits to the agency that provided them. If you do not repay the debt, the agency or sponsored immigrants can sue you in court to receive the money owed. When the immigrant sues, he or she can collect enough money to bring his or her income up to 125% of the amount listed in the U.S. government’s Poverty Guidelines.

Additionally, bankruptcy does not necessarily terminate a sponsor’s I-864 obligations. While most debts and contractual obligations are dischargeable in bankruptcy, “domestic support obligations” are not dischargeable. Such obligations are defined as alimony, maintenance, or support owed to or recoverable by one’s spouse, former spouse, or child. By United States court decisions, these also include I-864 support obligations.

Forms for Financial Sponsorship

• Form I-864 | Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA
• Form I-864A | Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member
• Form I-864EZ | Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act
• Form I-864P | HHS Poverty Guidelines for Affidavit of Support
• Form I-864W | Request for Exemption for Intending Immigrant's Affidavit of Support

Additional Facts and Data

• Of all 2015 accepted Green Card applicants, 44% were immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, 20% were other family members of citizens and lawful permanent residents, 14% were individuals in employment-related cases, 11% were refugees, and 3% were individuals granted asylum, according to a Pew Research Center study.
• Each year, the USCIS receives and processes about 6 million immigration applications from individuals and employers. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the United States issued green cards to nearly 1 million applicants in 2013. This number has remained relatively constant throughout the following years.

Last Updated: January 15, 2020.

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If you're applying for a green card, chances are you're going to need the sponsor Form I-864.

To prove that your sponsor meets all the requirements, you need to submit the Form I-864 along with your application.

According to USCIS, the official purpose of the form is:

"This form is required for most family-based immigrants and some employment-based immigrants to show that they have adequate means of financial support and are not likely to rely on the U.S. government for financial support."

- USCIS.gov

Mistakes made on this form are one of the most common reason why applicants get RFE's (Request for Evidence) from USCIS. To avoid an RFE, it's very important to make sure that your sponsor meets all the requirements and that you fill out the form correctly.

Do you know what the requirements are for a sponsor? Are you sponsoring an applicant? This article will provide answers to some of the most common questions about financial sponsors, income requirements, and submitting the right forms.

Scroll to the bottom to learn how to actually fill out the form and attach it to your application.

Most Common Questions About Form I-864

Do I need to attach the Form I-864 to my application?

The Form I-864 should be attached to the application if, the intending immigrant (green card applicant) is:

• The immediate relative of a U.S. citizen (spouse, unmarried child under 21, or parent of a U.S. citizen 21 or older).
• A family-based preference immigrant (married or unmarried son or daughter of a U.S. citizen, spouse or unmarried son or daughter of a lawful permanent resident, or the brother or sister of a U.S. citizen 21 or older).
• An employment-based preference immigrant whose immigrant visa petition was filed by a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, U.S. national relative, or such a relative has an ownership interest of 5% or more in the entity that filed your petition.

Form I-864 is supported and included with SimpleCitizen.

Can the I-864 be used for more than one immigrant?

An I-864 must be submitted for each intending immigrant sponsored.

The principle immigrant, the recipient of the immigrant visa petition, may bring a spouse and/or children into the U.S. In such cases, the sponsor need only to photocopy the original I-864 for each dependent if they are based on the same visa petition, as long as they are immigrating at the same time. (Note: The sponsor will not need to provide copies of the supporting documents for each of the photocopied I-864s.)

However, if the principle immigrant’s family is immigrating more than 6 months after the principle immigrant, another Form I-864 will need to be filled out when they apply for their immigrant visas.

Is there a filing fee?

There is no filing fee. However, the National Visa Center (NVC) does send the sponsor a processing fee before the case will be processed.

When do sponsor obligations end?

Sponsor responsibilities end when one of these situations occurs:

• The immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen.
• The immigrant can be credited with 40 qualifying quarters of work in the U.S.
• The sponsor or the immigrant dies.
• The immigrant does not remain a lawful permanent resident.

Please note: divorce does not end a sponsor’s responsibilities.

What supporting documents are required with the I-864?

All sponsors must submit a copy of their Federal income tax return for the most recent tax year. If you were not required to file provide a statement and/or evidence of why. Also include every copy of Form 1099, Schedule, and any other evidence of reported income.

If you are:

• currently self-employed,
• sponsoring more than one intending immigrant,
• sponsoring a spouse while on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or U.S. Coast Guard,
• using the income of persons in your household or dependents to qualify,
• joint sponsor, substitute sponsor, or the relative of an employment-based immigrant,
• or the legal guardian signing the Form I-864

Supporting Document upload & support are included with SimpleCitizen.

you will need to file more supporting documents as proof that you qualify to be a sponsor. These may include a Form I-864A, or papers to establish your income, active military status, residency, lasting employment, assets, status in the U.S., or legal guardianship.

Note: if you make a change of address, you must inform USCIS of your new address within 30 days. If you are a lawful permanent resident sponsor, you must file a change of address within 10 days. To do this file Form I-865.

What are the requirements of being a sponsor?

The sponsor must be 18 years or older and reside in the U.S., its territories, or its possessions.

In order to qualify as a sponsor, the sponsor must also meet certain financial requirements:

Income Requirements:

To qualify as a sponsor, you must show that your annual income is at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. These guidelines are updated annually and are calculated according to household size.

Search the USCIS website to see if you qualify. The 2017 guidelines will remain in affect until the 2018 ones are published.

What if my sponsor is on active duty?

If you are on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and are sponsoring a spouse or child under 18, you only need to have an annual income of 100% the Federal Poverty Guidelines. This does not apply to joint or substitute sponsors.

What if a sponsor doesn’t meet the financial requirements?

If a sponsor does not meet the financial requirements the intending immigrant will be ineligible for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status.

However, if the 125% requirement can be met by any combination of the following 4 options, you may still qualify to be a sponsor.

• The income from any relatives or dependents living in your household currently or listed in your most recent Federal income tax return and who have signed Form I-864A.
• The income from the intending immigrant, if that income will continue from the same source after they immigrate and they are currently living in your residence. (If the intending immigrant is your spouse, their residence does not matter as long as they continue to receive their income from the same source.)
• The value of assets yours, the intending immigrants, or any member of the household who has signed the I-864A.
• The income and/or assets that equal at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines of a joint sponsor.

Can a sponsor use assets to qualify?

If the consular or immigration officer is convinced that the sponsor’s assets could be converted into money within one year, they may be used to supplement the sponsor’s income. However, this conversion must take place without undue harm coming to the sponsor or their dependents. And it cannot include automobiles unless the sponsor owns at least 1 working automobile that was not included as an asset.

What is a joint sponsor?

A joint sponsor is someone who can meet the financial requirements necessary to be a sponsor and is willing to be held jointly liable with the original sponsor, the petitioner, for the support of the intending immigrant(s).

The joint sponsor must be 18 or older and a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or U.S. national domiciled in the U.S., its territories, or its possessions.

The joint sponsor does not have to be related to the petitioner or intending immigrant(s).

If the I-864 being filed by the petitioner includes more than the principle immigrant, the joint sponsor may choose to sponsor all intending immigrants or some of them. A secondary joint sponsor is then necessary to sponsor the remainder of the family. There may be no more than 2 joint sponsors.

Joint Sponsorship is supported by SimpleCitizen.

Can relatives and dependents be a joint sponsor?

A spouse and/or other relative living with the sponsor or unrelated dependents listed on the sponsor’s Federal income tax return even if they don’t live with the sponsor, may help sponsor intending immigrants, if they are willing to be jointly responsible with the sponsor. They must be 18 or older and complete Form I-864A.

Ways To Fill Out Form I-864

Here are a few options available to you for filling out the affidavit of support.

Fill Out On a Computer

Download and view in a PDF viewer.

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SimpleCitizen's Application Builder

Form I-864 is included with SimpleCitizen.

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Print & Fill Out Paper Form

Print the PDF and fill by hand with black pen.

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Feel free to chat with us by clicking on the chat icon in the bottom right hand corner of your browser.

Last Updated: January 7, 2022.

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If you are inside the U.S. for an allowed reason and are currently trying to adjust your status to permanent resident, then you can use Form I-485.
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Form I-485 Sample Download:

Download a sample of the I-485 here.

Fill out the I-485 Online Here.

*Please note that USCIS forms frequently change. Please refer to the USCIS I-485 form page for the most up-to-date version.

Who can submit the Form I-485?

Relatives of United States citizens:

spouses, children, parents, and siblings of U.S. citizens who used the Form I-130 and received a visa can use Form I-485 to ask for a Green Card. For immediate family cases (like spouses) you can submit all the forms together in one packet.

Relatives of Green Card holders:

spouses and unmarried children of Green Card holders who used Form I-130 and received a visa can use Form I-485 to ask for a Green Card. You can prepare a family based green card application here.‍

Workers:

If you are in the U.S. with a temporary work visa and have been offered a permanent job while you're in the U.S., you could use Form I-485 to ask to stay in the U.S. permanently. Your U.S. employer can start the process for your Green Card using Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker.‍

Refugees and Asylees:

Refugees and Asylees can use Form I-485 to ask for a Green Card. In the Form I-485, you must prove that you are still an asylee, refugee, or refugee’s spouse or child and that you’ve been inside the U.S. for 1 year since were allowed to enter for that reason.

Helpful Links:

Form I-485 Step by Step Instructions

The Comprehensive Guide on How to Get a Green Card

Are you eligible to apply for a Green Card?

Take the quiz

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Last Updated: December 2022.

The Form I-797 is a document the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) uses to communicate with applicants.

The most common reason we see form I-797s be sent to our customers is when USCIS is issuing them receipt notices for their application. USCIS will send applicants Form I-797 approximately 4-6 weeks after the applicant submits an application to them. The purpose of this form is to notify the applicant that USCIS has received the application and has started processing it.

Please Note: Make sure to keep a copy of all I-797 forms for your personal records. They can commonly be used as evidence for other USCIS forms you may fill out.

How to Read an I-797 Form? 

This is what an I-797 Form looks like: 

Here are some general areas to look for when reading your receipt notice: 

There are seven different I-797 forms and each serve a different purpose as outlined in this article: 

1. Form I-797, Notice of Action: Receipt Notice
2. Form I-797A, Notice of Action: Replacement for an I-94 Form 
3. Form I-797B, Notice of Action: Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker
4. Form I-797C, Notice of Action: Important Information
5. Form I-797D: Includes a Benefit Card
6. Form I-797E, Notice of Action: Request for Evidence
7. I-797F, Transportation Letter: Travel Permit

1. Form I-797, Notice of Action: Receipt Notice

This I-797 form is simply a receipt informing you that the application or petition has been received or approved. Note that this is just the receipt, not the official document. Therefore this document cannot be used to work or travel. 

However, the form is still very useful. It gives you information about your application, including your receipt number. Your receipt number is a 13-digit-long code you can use to track your case online. Simply use this USCIS Case Status Checker.

If you lose your receipt number, you can schedule an InfoPass appointment where you’ll meet with a USCIS officer who can provide you with information about your case. USCIS will require that you bring valid identification to the appointment. You may also request this information through USCIS’s live chat option, or call USCIS directly at 1(800) 375-5283. 

For many cases, USCIS also sends out a separate notice that will have instructions for setting up your Online USCIS Account.  

2. Form I-797A, Notice of Action: Replacement for an I-94 Form

Form I-797A Notice of action is sent as a replacement for the Form I-94 for applicants already in the U.S. This typically means that a change of status application has been approved and the immigrant is legally able to stay in the U.S. up until their new I-94 expiration date. The Form I-94 can be found at the bottom of Form I-797A and functions as the official document. The body of the document will provide additional guidelines. This form includes the date of admission, the class of admission, and the date to which they are admitted to stay.

Here is what an I-797A, with the replacement I-94 Form looks like. It includes an I-94 number, which is usually the same number as your original I-94, new VALID FROM and ADMIT UNTIL dates, and the new, or extended Class of Entry description. 

To find the new I-94 portion, you can check in the following spots of the form: 

Please note: If you have not filed for a change or extension of status within the U.S., you will need to obtain your I-94 directly through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website. To increase efficiency, reduce operating costs, and streamline the admissions process, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has automated the I-94 Form. The paper document is only given in limited circumstances. If you need a copy of your Form I-94, you may request it here.

Please note: If you originally received a paper I-94 before the CBP automated them online, and it has since been lost, you may need to submit a Form I-102 with USCIS in order to receive a replacement. For more information on this, please see here. 

3. Form I-797B, Notice of Action: Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker

Form I-797B is issued when the applicant submits Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker. The body of the document will include instructions. The bottom section will include important information for admission to the U.S. depending on the applicant’s circumstance, like all I-797 forms, this form will include details about your application. 

Please note: The I-797B Form is required for any Employment-Based Adjustment of Status Applications. 

4. Form I-797C, Notice of Action: Important Information

This is perhaps the most common I-797 form. It is very important that you read this document carefully as it usually tells you the next step in the application process. In addition to the regular information, the Form I-797C will inform the applicant of a rejection, transfer, re-opening, or scheduled/re-scheduled appointment.

Form I-797C is also the form that will come separately, at the same time or a few weeks after, the initial receipt notices that will include instructions for setting up your Online USCIS Account. For more information on this, please go to USCIS’s website here.

Typical appointments include a biometrics appointment or an interview with a USCIS officer. If you receive a Form I-797C, pay close attention to what it says. Ignoring or misreading the instructions can delay your case.

5. Form I-797D, Notice of Action: Includes a Benefit Card

The Form I-797D will generally include a benefit card. This could be a green card or another official document such as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or Advance Parole. Like the regular I-797 form, you will not need to do anything with this form. However, it is still important to keep a copy for your personal records.

6. Form I-797E, Notice of Action: Request for Evidence

Many USCIS forms require additional evidence. This is called a Request for Evidence (RFE). If the USCIS does not receive all the required evidence in an application, they will send the form I-797E. In this form, they will explain the issues with the evidence already provided or simply state that no evidence was included.

If you receive this form, make sure to read it carefully! The Form I-797E will often include a time limit and specific instructions. If you never respond to a request for evidence, your application will most likely be denied.

When responding to a Request for Evidence: Only submit photocopies of official documents unless original documents are specifically requested because the USCIS will not return evidence to you and will most likely destroy it after the case is closed.

Click here for more information about responding to Requests for Evidence.

7. Form I-797F, Transportation Letter: Travel Permit

This is the only I-797 form that is not a “Notice of Action.” This document allows overseas applicants to travel. If you receive Form I-797F, simply follow the guidelines provided in the document as they are specific to your case type.

What to do if you lose an I-797 Form and want, or need, a replacement? 

If your I-797 has been lost or stolen, you will need to reach out directly to USCIS to help obtain your receipt number. To do so, you can schedule an appointment with them online here, or call them directly at 1-800-375-5283. 

Updated: Feb. 10, 2020.

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So you've mailed your green card application and are anxiously waiting for whatever comes next. What happens now?

After you submit the Form I-485, along with all the other required forms, there are still a few more steps to take before you become a permanent resident in the United States. This guide will help you understand each one of those steps.

Have not submitted your application yet? Here's a guide on how to prepare your application.

1. Receipt of Application

Approximately 30 days after filing

Once USCIS has received your application, they should send you a receipt within approximately 30 days.

If you attached a Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance along with your Form I-485, you will also receive a confirmation email or text message within 24 hours of your application being accepted.

Both the physical receipt and the e-receipt will have a receipt number on them. You can use this number to check your case status and see how far along your case is in the application process.

Note: If you submit the Form I-485 without a signature or without the correct filing fee, USCIS will send you a notice that your form is incomplete. You may then fix the problem and re-submit it. If they need more evidence, USCIS may request (RFE) originals of the copies you provided them. These original documents will be returned to you when they are no longer needed.

2. Biometrics Services Appointment Notice

Approximately 3-5 weeks after filing

After your I-485 is filed, you will receive a notice in the mail about your biometrics services appointment, which will be held at a local Application Support Center (ASC). The notice will tell you the date, time, and location of your appointment. At this appointment, you will provide your fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature, which will be used to verify your identity and run background checks. Sometimes this can happen within 3-5 weeks, but the timeline varies considerably.

You should review your Form I-485 information before the biometrics appointment. Your signature at the biometrics appointment will indicate that your application was complete, true, and correct. When you go to your appointment, take with you:

• Your ASC appointment notice.
• Valid photo ID (such as a passport, driver's license, or state-issued photo ID card).
• A translator if you cannot understand spoken English.

3. Interview Notice

Approximately 4-10 months after filing

You will probably be requested to appear at a USCIS office to answer questions about your Form I-485. You will receive a notice that will tell you when and where the interview will take place. Bring with you original:

• Passports
• Official Travel Documents
• Form I-94
• Copy of your Form I-485
• All other originals of the documents that you submitted with your Form I-485, even if the documents are now expired.

It is best to appear at all USCIS appointments (including interviews and biometrics appointments) on the scheduled date. However, if you are sick, you can follow the instructions on your appointment notice to reschedule.

4. Receive Permanent Residence

Approximately 8-14 months after filing

After your interview, the USCIS will send you a written notice of their decision. If you are approved, you will receive your green card in the mail soon after. If your application is denied, the decision notice will explain why. It will also state whether you can appeal the decision or not. Even if it says that you cannot appeal the decision, you may still be able to file a motion to reconsider. To file an appeal or a motion you will use Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion.

Other Tips

Avoid leaving the United States while your application is pending.

If you plan to leave the US while your application is pending, even if it a short trip to Mexico or Canada, make sure that you have the right documentation to leave and re-enter the US. You will probably have to file Form-131 to obtain either an Advanced Parole Document or a refugee travel document. You will not need to file Form-131 if you are an H, L, V, or K3/K4 nonimmigrant who is maintaining lawful nonimmigrant status, and you return with a valid H, L, V, or K3/K4 nonimmigrant visa. If you leave the country without proper documentation, your Form I-485 may be denied, or you may not be able to lawfully re-enter the US.

Moving & changing your address.

If you move, it is important to promptly inform the USCIS so that you do not miss any mailed notifications about your application. Update your address with the USCIS within 10 days of moving. In most cases, you can do this online at the USCIS website.

Ask for help.

If you have questions or need help with any part of your application, please feel free to reach out to our support team. We're here to help!