The Form I-765 is a request for an Employment Authorization Document or EAD, which is more commonly known as a work permit.

If you will be in the U.S. temporarily and will need a job, you will likely have to file an EAD. Your “work permit”, as you can see below, will be a standard wallet-sized card with some basic information including your picture, full name, alien registration number, terms and conditions of your permit, and the expiration date.

Be careful not to get this confused with a green card. A green card is evidence of your status as a Lawful Permanent Resident. An EAD may be obtained while your green card application is processing. This allows green card applicants to legally work before actually becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident. The EAD will also be used for temporary foreign workers who come for seasonal work or short term work assignments.

While the form is only 3 pages long, it comes with 25 pages of instructions. This form can be complicated. One of the most difficult parts of the I-765 is identifying which category of eligibility you are filing under. Consequently, the most common reason an I-765 is rejected is misidentifying eligibility. This article gives a brief outline of the I-765.

What is the purpose?

The EAD is proof of employment authorization. Immigrants who are eligible to work may file form I-765. Once approved for EAD, the applicant will obtain the identification card, which they can then use it to obtain employment. If you have previously filed this form but have lost your EAD or need to renew it, you should also file form I-765.

Who should (and shouldn’t) use this form?

The Eligibility Category section of the form will ask you to identify how you are eligible for work authorization. It asks you to select from one of the following 8 sections of eligibility:

1. Asylee/Refugee and their spouses and/or children
2. Nationality categories
3. Foreign students
4. Eligible dependents of diplomatic missions, international organizations, or NATO.
5. Employment-based nonimmigrant categories
6. Family-based nonimmigrants
7. Adjustment of status categories
8. Other categories

Within each section there are more specific sub-divisions. In order to accurately select your respective catagory, visit this USCIS page with I-765 instructions. These instructions will provide you with greater detail about each category.

If you fall into any of these three categories, you should NOT use this form:

1. Lawful permanent resident
2. Conditional resident
3. Nonimmigrant with specific employment authorization through form 8 CFR 274a.12(b).

What is the filing fee?

The standard filing fee is $520 for paper filings. However, the filing fee may vary depending on the filing method used and the personal circumstances of the applicant. See Form I-1055, Fee Schedule or USCIS Fee Calculator for more specific fee information.

Any I-765 renewal requests associated with the original I-485 application are subject to a $260 filing fee if filed on or after April 1, 2024.

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Will the fee be waived if I also file form I-485?

Previous to April 1, 2024, USCIS waived filing fees for Form I-765 applications filed concurrently with Form I-485 applications. However, a final fee rule that was implemented April 1, 2024 has since changed this. With this new rule, the fees for Form I-765 (and Form I-131) will no longer be waived when filing for adjustment (I-485). Rather, any I-765 filed concurrently with Form I-485 (on or after April 1, 2024) will be required to pay a Form I-765 filing fee of $520, unless eligible for a reduced fee.

Please note that in general, if you filed Form I-485 before April 1, 2024, and paid the required fee, you do not need to pay for Form I-765 or I-131 renewal filing fees while your Form I-485 is still pending.

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Important notes

1. You MUST use the approved edition date form or else it will not be accepted. Information about currently accepted edition dates, check here.
2. Make sure you select the correct eligibility category for your situation. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at SimpleCitizen for more help!
3. Check to see if your catagory of eligiblity requires more documentation. Be sure to include it if it does!

Ways to fill out the Form I-765

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Helpful Links

The Ultimate Guide on How to Get a Green Card
What is the Form I-765 filing fee?
Immigration Discussion Board

Updated: March 31, 2020.

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"Consular processing" is the term used when applying for an immigrant visa from outside the U.S. You will be working with both U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Homeland Security as you finish your green card application. If you live outside the U.S. at the time of filing, consular processing may be your only path for immigrating to the U.S.

We are happy to help you through any step of this process. Finishing the whole green card process can be stressful and overwhelming. Don't worry though, contact us and we will be with you every step of the way.

Step 1: Determine your eligibility to immigrate and submit a petition

To get started, you need to determine if you're eligible to apply for a green card. Use our Eligibility Quiz to find if you are eligible to become a permanent resident of the United States. The petition that you file will be determined by the type of eligibility -  most common petitions are the I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, and the I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers. The petition at this point in the process will be sent to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Step 2: Await the decision on your immigrant petition

Once the appropriate person has filed the correct petition on your behalf, the next step is to wait for USCIS’s decision. If you are approved and you reside outside the United States: USCIS will send the approved petition to the Department of State’s National Visa Center. The petition will remain there until an immigrant visa number is available for you. For some cases, such as the spouse of a U.S. citizen, there are immigrant visa numbers immediately available.

Step 3: Submit with the National Visa Center

The National Visa Center (NVC) will notify you and your petitioner of three things:

• When they've received your visa petition
• When a visa is about to become available (if applicable)
• When and where to submit your immigrant visa processing fees and supporting documentation

The NVC will give you directions to set up an account where you can submit your fees and submit your application. This is also when you should file Form DS-260, Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration. And in most cases, USCIS will also require the petitioner to file Form I-864, Affidavit of Support. The affidavit is the petitioner's promise to support you financially if you cannot support yourself.

The NVC is also collecting information on Public Charge. Certain applicants may be asked to present or complete a Form DS-5540 at the visa interview. Immigrant visa applicants are encouraged to complete the DS-5540 in advance. The USCIS will review all paperwork and request any additional evidence needed. If they request more evidence this can lengthen your processing time. In order to avoid this, it is important to be thorough in your initial submission.

Step 4: Go to your interview

Once those things happen, the consular office will schedule your interview.

When an appointment becomes available, the NVC will send an interview letter with information on the medical exam and a list of the required documents for the interview. During your interview a consular official will review your case and decide if you are eligible for an immigrant visa.

In some consular offices, you may get approved at the interview itself; in other cases, you will be asked to return to pick up your paperwork if you've been granted a green card. It depends on the policy of your local office.

Step 5: Once your visa is granted

Once you are notified that your visa has been granted, you will be given a packet of information known as a "visa packet". DO NOT OPEN THIS PACKET.

You will now need to pay the USCIS immigrant fee. Unless you are among the exemptions below, this fee must be paid; you will not be granted a green card without paying it.

Step 6: When you arrive in the U.S.

When you arrive in the United States, give your Visa Packet to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry. This officer will determine whether to admit you into the United States. If the officer admits you, you have been granted lawful permanent resident status and you may legally live and work in the United States. You should receive your green card within 45 days of your arrival.

Note: If the applicant does not enter within the six months allotted on the visa they may not be allowed into the country without further processing at the Consulate.

Welcome to America!

Last Updated: January 15, 2020

On August 3, 2017 Trump announced his support of S. 1720, a bill introduced by Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas and co-sponsored by Senator David Perdue of Georgia, two Republicans. Trump said: “This legislation demonstrates our compassion for struggling American families who deserve an immigration system that puts their needs first and puts America first."He called it the “RAISE Act;” short for “Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy Act.”The RAISE Act was initially introduced to the Senate back in February and was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. It was then revised and reintroduced in August.Trump's adviser Stephen Miller and former adviser Steve Bannon promoted and helped shape the bill.

Many have dismissed this bill because it has not attracted any additional co-sponsors, and Republican leaders in Congress have no plans to vote on it in 2017. However, the bill remains relevant as it gives insight into the thoughts of the President and other leading figures on their ideal immigration system. Additionally, although this bill may not pass, it may influence another bill in the future.Section-by-section, the bill seeks to:

• Section 2: Eliminate the visa diversity lottery program
• Section 3: Enforce the 50,000 annual refugee cap. 84,995 refugees entered the US in 2016.
• Section 4: Narrow the meaning of “immediate relatives”.
• Section 5: Replace the employment-based immigration system with a points-based immigration system
• Section 6: Add one prerequisite for naturalization

These sections altogether would result in around a 30 percent reduction to green cards issued. Let’s take a look at each section in turn.(For more numbers on green cards, take a look at this frequently cited report.

SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE

It states the short title.This Act may be cited as the “Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy Act” or the “RAISE Act”.

SECTION 2: ELIMINATES THE DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT VISA PROGRAM

After Section 1, things start to get hairy quick. Section 2 eliminates the diversity visa program.The Diversity Immigrant Visa program, also known as the green card lottery, allows would-be immigrants to receive a United States Permanent Resident Card, or green cards, through a lottery system. This system was established in The Immigration Act of 1990.The lottery provides 50,000 green cards each year and aims to diversify the immigrant population in the United States. To do this it selects applicants from countries with low rates of immigration in the five years prior.Eligibility is determined by the applicant’s birth country, not country of residence. Section 2 eliminates all of that.

“(a) In General.—Section 203 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1153) is amended by striking subsection (c).”

SECTION 3: REMOVES EXCEPTIONS FOR THE ANNUAL REFUGEE CAP OF 50,000

Section 3 establishes a refugee cap of 50,000 that kind of, debatably, already existed. At the very least, it removes exceptions to the 50,000 rule.This section makes major changes to 8 U.S.C. 1157. 1157 says: the number of refugees who may be admitted may not exceed fifty thousand . . . unless the President determines . . . that admission of a specific number of refugees in excess of such number is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest.But that clause apparently only applied to a few years in the early eighties. Ever since then Presidents have been welcoming however many refugees they want.(Take a look here for refugee numbers.)Also, President Trump has tried to cap the refugee intake at 50,000 in various ways already. So again, at the very least, this bill eliminates the options for the President to raise the cap for “grave humanitarian concerns” or the “national interest.” The new code would read:

“(1) IN GENERAL.—The number of refugees who may be admitted under this section in any fiscal year may not exceed 50,000."

Also, an interesting change: special discretionary decision-making power is transferred from the Attorney General to the Secretary of Homeland Security. So the Secretary of Homeland Security would be able to admit any refugee who is not firmly resettled in any foreign country, is determined to be of special humanitarian concern to the United States, and is otherwise admissible as an immigrant.

SECTION 4: LIMITS THE REACH OF FAMILY SPONSORED VISAS

This section primarily narrows the meaning of “immediate relative.” It effectively removes family-visa pathways for siblings and adult children of U.S. citizens and permanent residents to apply for permanent residency status in the U.S. It limits the family path to spouses and minor children.It redefines “immediate relative” as spouse and children under 18 years old. Whereas before it included children up 21, parents, and siblings.

“Family-sponsored immigrants described in this subsection are qualified immigrants who are the spouse or a child of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.”

It allows for 88,000 immigrants minus the number of aliens paroled that did not depart and did not acquire the status of an alien lawfully admitted. It also deals with some rather complicated things like how many of these visas are subject to country limitation and when the visa of a dependent parent can be extended.

SECTION 5: REPLACES THE EMPLOYMENT-BASED IMMIGRATION SYSTEM WITH A POINTS BASED IMMIGRATION SYSTEM

Section 5 establishes a point-system which would replace the employment-based system with the points based system. This is one of the more innovative or creative sections; the system is surprisingly simple. Notably, the caliber of immigrants accepted under the current employment-based system is already remarkably high. So, If the points-based system were implemented then a sufficiently large number of applicants would accrue enough points to maintain a large applicant pool — a large enough pool to keep the number of employment sponsored green cards the same.Raise keeps the current level of employment visas which is 140,000.

“(1) IN GENERAL.—The worldwide level of points-based immigrant visas issued during any fiscal year may not exceed 140,000."

The points system invites any qualifying applicant to apply for submission into the eligible applicant pool. Applicants apply online and pay a $160 fee. An applicant is eligible if they accrue over 30 points. The applicants with the highest point counts are then siphoned off the top every six months until 140,000 people are admitted.Selected applicants are invited to submit another application which would include valid documentation, an attestation from the prospective employer, the annual salary being offered, a declaration that the job position is new or vacant, health insurance records, and a fee of $345.If the applicant is accepted, spouses, minor children, and dependent adult children can also be issued a visa.In regards to the points, the goal is to accrue 30 points. Points are allotted by status in each category.

Would You Qualify for Legal Immigration to the U.S.?

Answer the following questions to find out:

Age:

• 0–17: Ineligible
• 18–21: 6 points
• 22–25: 8 points
• 26–30: 10 points
• 31–35: 8 points
• 36–40: 6 points
• 41–45: 4 points
• 46–50: 2 points
• 51 and older: No points

Education:

Points are awarded only for the highest degree obtained.

• US or foreign high school: 1 point
• Foreign bachelor’s degree: 5 points
• US bachelor’s degree: 6 points
• Foreign master’s degree in STEM: 7 points
• US master’s degree in STEM: 8 points
• Foreign professional degree (including MBA, JD, or MD) or doctorate in Stem: 10 points
• US Professional degree or doctorate in stem: 13 points

English Language Proficiency:

Points are awarded for decile placement in IETSL or TOEFL.

• 1st–5th deciles: 0 points
• 6th–7th deciles: 6 points
• 8th decile: 10 points
• 9th decile: 11 points
• 10th decile: 12 points

Extraordinary achievements

• Nobel Laureate or has received comparable recognition in a field of scientific or social scientific study: 25 points
• Earned an individual Olympic medal or placed first in an international sporting event within the last 8 years: 15 points
• None 0 points

Job Offer

Points are awarded for job offers with high monetary compensation.

• Annual salary 150%–200% of median household income of state: 5 points
• Annual salary 200%–300% of median household income of state: 8 points
• Annual salary 300% and above of median household income of state: 13 points
• No Job Offer 0 points

Investments

• Applicant agrees to invest $1,350,000 in a new commercial enterprise in the US: 6 points
• Applicant agrees to invest $1,800,000 in a new commercial enterprise in the US: 12 points
• No Investment 0 points

Family preference

• The applicant previously qualified for the once valid family preference visa category: 2 points

Requirement

• An applicant is ineligible if he doesn’t have a degree higher than a bachelor’s degree and he is not in the 6th decile or higher for English proficiency.

Spousal consideration

• If an applicant’s spouse would accrue higher points, then no change is made to the applicant’s points. However, if the spouse would accrue lower points, then 70% of the applicant’s points would be added to 30% of the spouse’s points, and this new number would be considered

Minimum Score: 30

You must be at least 18 years old and have at least 30 points to be eligible to apply for immigration, according to proposed legislation.

SECTION 6: CHANGES THE PREREQUISITE FOR NATURALIZATION

Section 6 mostly does some housekeeping to an already standing section of US code. However, at the end, it adds a term that disqualifies from naturalization people who have outstanding debts owed to the federal government.And that’s the RAISE Act explained section-by-section. We’ll see what bill comes next for immigration.

Last Updated: January 15, 2020.

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In polls, Americans and immigrants alike overwhelmingly cite economic opportunities as the number one reason people choose to immigrate to the United States (74%).  About half of Americans believe that once immigrants are here, their talents, experiences and hard work strengthen our nation and in particular improve food, music, and the arts while around a quarter of Americans say they have a friend or relative who has recently immigrated to the U.S.  While many can agree that immigrants have the potential to add economic, cultural, and social value to a place, some U.S. cities have gone as far as declare that immigrants are "imperative" to their continued growth and success.

It is no secret that both our nation's demographics and economic mainstays are changing.  More and more baby boomers continue to retire and less and less babies are being born, so it naturally follows that the native-born American workforce is shrinking.  Globalization has taken a toll on domestic manufacturing companies, something that American metropolitan areas have been tied to in the past.  Those deft enough to notice these changes and recognize their consequences are making plans to adapt and are turning to immigrants for the answer.

According to a report by the American Immigration Council, "Cities and regions looking to stem population decline and stimulate economic growth are seeking to attract immigrants and encourage immigrant entrepreneurship. Immigrants play an important role in establishing “main street” businesses (retail, accommodation and food services, and neighborhood services), which are important for generating neighborhood-level economic growth and revitalization.”  The numbers support this claim with immigrants making up about 13 percent of the country’s total population, 16 percent of the labor force, 18 percent of business owners, and a whopping 28 percent of “main street” business owners nationally.

After recognizing that immigrants run the majority of shops in the "Little Village", with the second highest business tax revenues in the city, Chicago, Illinois decided to embrace this entrepreneurial vibrancy with their "New Americans Plan".  With the tagline, "Chicago Welcomes the World", this plan espouses the goal of making Chicago the most immigrant-friendly city in the world. An advisory committee made up of 50 business, academic, civic, philanthropic, community and immigrant advocacy leaders meet regularly to develop immigrant-friendly strategies and ensure Chicago’s status as a "vibrant and welcoming international city". Initiatives from this committee range from the creation of a small business incubator and the promotion of tourism in immigrant neighborhoods to parent engagement centers and city employee cultural sensitivity training.  

Around the same time, Dayton, Ohio launched  the "Welcome Dayton" plan involving over 100 members of the community which states, “communities across America are at a crossroad: to welcome and integrate new residents and help them on a path to citizenship, or to allow old stereotypes, fears and misconceptions to hinder future success.”  In order to capitalize on the economic potential in its immigrant-dense neighborhoods, Dayton community leaders provide education to all potential entrepreneurs about the many local services that are available to help make their ideas a reality.

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In Nashville, Tennessee which is considered to be a relatively new immigrant destination, nonprofits and community-based organizations such as Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) and Conexión Américas have led the way in the promotion of immigrant entrepreneurship.  The city has focused on three inter-dependent areas of integration: social, economic, and civic. Nashville has even established the Mayor’s New Americans Advisory Council and the Mayor's Office of New Americans (MONA) with a goal to give "New Americans the tools they need to access economic and educational opportunities—to the benefit of all Nashvillians.”

A fourth and more recent example took place last year, when Salt Lake City Mayor Ben McAdams and Salt Lake City Chamber President Lane Beattie announced the "New Americans Task Force", aimed to welcome and encourage foreign-born entrepreneurs in the state of Utah. According to Mayor McAdams, "Welcoming people here is not only the compassionate thing to do for our community, but it also brings resiliency and vibrancy to our economy. We all know that our country, and especially our state, is growing rapidly. It turns out that much of that growth is due to a jump in the percentage of residents who were foreign-born. They are adding to our strong economy."  This bold move to reshape local business and government policy makes sense knowing that immigrants contributed $8 billion to Salt Lake County in 2014 alone.  

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The Queen of Alterations

One woman, who immigrated to Bountiful, Utah, just north of Salt Lake City, from the Philippines at age 32, felt welcomed and encouraged by her community to follow her dream and run a business as a seamstress.  

Ever since she was a little girl, Leilani Drumm loved to sew.  "As a kid, I would find paper and cut out a little dress.  I ended up getting a degree in accounting but all I really wanted to do was sew."   When Leilani followed her new husband to his military base in Utah, she held jobs at a variety of places, including the military base and later a factory and a department store.  When Leilani's husband sustained a back injury and was forced to change careers, money became very tight.  As Leilani put it, " At first I had nothing here - life was really hard."  Things changed when Leilani's friend, a recent immigrant from Japan, told her about the alteration business she'd started.  Leilani was confident in her skills because she knew she could do more than just small alterations, she was a dressmaker.  That friend went on to encourage Leilani in a conversation that she refers to as a stepping stone,  "She really helped me get out of my shell."  Shortly before her idea became a reality, Leilani found out that she was pregnant. "I call her my lucky baby. I got pregnant, then I got the business, and that was the start of everything!"  That was almost 19 years ago.  "Now my daughter is going to college and I am able to support her with my same business and it's such a blessing."

Leilani has largely felt comfortable and welcomed in her community.  The people, she says, are what she likes the best about living in America. "They're all just really nice.  If I ever have a problem here I know they will help me right away because they know me already."  That same kindness is what seems to be the key to her shop's success.  "To start a business, first of all, you need to be friendly! A lot of the people keep coming back and they tell me not to go anywhere - they like me a lot."  Leilani is not exaggerating, either. Many of her customers bring business from across county lines and some even travel from out of state.  In a business that mostly gains customers through word of mouth, connection is crucial.  Leilani feels it's important to try and relate to the challenges her customers are having.  "Most of my customers have troubles in their life and sometimes they're depressed about something. I tell them they can just come to my shop one day and we can talk about it.  Sometimes I will even take them to lunch.  I try to help them with their feelings.  I really do listen and I think that's the best way to be connected to people."  Policemen or veterans are especially welcome at Leilani's with a special rate. She also tries to give discounts in a situation where she can tell money is tight because she says she "understands their feelings".

Of course working with people all day isn't always easy. "I really like my job but it can be stressful with all the wedding dresses and before prom. There's always one customer out of a hundred each year that's really hard to deal with. But usually my customers are really thankful and seeing them really happy with the work I did, is payment enough. When I see my wedding dresses from start to finish, I really am so happy and proud that I can do that for people."  It's not just Leilani's personal skills that keep her customers returning, but the quality of her work.  Most of her competitors only do little alterations that don't last very long. "There's a cleaner near the post office and they even bring their work to me because they know I just want to do the job right!", she laughs and adds, "I don't think they know how to sew..."

Leilani's advice to new entrepreneurs is trite but true, "You have to work really hard. Just go, go, go, until you get what you want. Trust in yourself and in your abilities.  Don't think negative things, only positive things. Don't be afraid. The more you walk forward and do hard things, I think you can make it." Just listening to Leilani makes it clear that it doesn't hurt to love what you're doing, either. "As long as you are happy with what you are doing, you will be successful. If you're new here, follow your dream! Go forward. Find what's good for you and don't stop." Leilani is clearly speaking from experience of the past two decades being a labor of love as she concludes after a brief moment of reflection, "I think this is my dream."

A Legacy of Entrepreneurship

Hugo grew up on a little ranch in Matatenas Vallecillo, Nuevo León, Mexico, about an hour south of the Laredo Texas border.  As a nine year old, Hugo lost his father and had to drop out of school to help support his family and newly single mother.  As an eighteen year old, with very broken English and only a 2nd grade education, Hugo decided to immigrate to the United States.  Hugo went where the work was, which led him to Michigan, both North and South Dakota - pretty much every state where people were picking.  He eventually landed in Richgrove, California to pick grapes where he would meet and marry his Wasco-native wife, Mary.  

Hugo was a quick learner and a hard worker and soon became a foreman for local farm labor contractor, Bob Fortune. He was Bob's loyal employee for years and years, until one day, seemingly without warning, Hugo was let go. At the age of 47 with a mortgage and three young kids at home, Hugo knew he had to figure things out and fast.  Mary told her husband that he needed to start his own business and simply go to the farmers and tell them he would bring the crews from now on. Thinking they had no money and knowing the risks, Hugo was understandably very scared but his dear wife wasn't ready to give up. Unbeknownst to Hugo, she had secretly saved $10,000 for such a time as this. With the encouragement of his strong and loving partner, he approached each farmer individually and asked for their business. His reputation as a man with a tireless work ethic served him well and farmer after farmer agreed to pay him. It was never Hugo's dream to start his own business, but he felt like it was his only choice and he rose to the challenge. Night after night, Mary and Hugo would return from the fields to go over all the paperwork and make sure the numbers were right.  Hugo didn't know accounting but he was naturally good with numbers. Mary only had a 10th grade education. But together, they figured it out and eventually did well enough where they could hire bookkeepers to keep track of everything. They may not have known pricing strategies or cash flow statements but they knew exactly how many boxes of harvest per row it takes to fill a bin to the brim.  They may not have known business but they knew their business and that was enough. Enough to gross over $10 million a year and oversee up to 350 employees at any given time. Much like his teams in the vineyards, Hugo continued to meticulously prune and craft his business for over 36 years. At 83, Hugo passed away, having truly worked every day up until the very end of his life.

Mary is now retired but the business has stayed in the family, under the direction their son, Roel. For two people who never "meant" to be entrepreneurs, they have set quite the pattern for their three children, who have started and owned four different successful businesses at various points in time. One of their children, Victor, attributes this to the fact that "We're pretty independent people. A big part of it is probably that we don't like other people telling us what to do. We like the challenge of starting something from nothing and trying to grow it." A challenge that seems in many ways even more daunting for the previous generation. "I can't imagine going to another country and trying to start a new business while trying to take care of my family." Victor speaks honestly, clearly in awe of what his parents were able to achieve.  He continues, "My dad never talked to us about 'business'.  But what we've learned most from watching my parents is work ethic - how to spend your time wisely and earn a living.  They grew up so poor and when they saw that they could do better, they never wanted that to go away - they just wanted to work. And that's what they did." As an uneducated immigrant who struggled with English his entire life, Hugo often felt different from the community in which he lived and worked.  Although Victor never felt that same isolation, he noticed it in his father and saw how ownership of a business affected Hugo in more than just economic ways. "I think it took my dad quite a long time to adjust...It probably wasn't until he was successful in his business that he started to feel comfortable with who he was in America."

He noted yet another benefit was the great sense of love and unity between his parents. "Starting the business was tough on their marriage of course, but they got through it together and my mom always loved and supported my dad until the day he passed." In an attempt to summarize these impactful memories and experiences into a digestible moral of sorts, Victor repeats a similar theme to Leilani. "Anything you want in life, you can make it happen.  You just have to visualize it, and go after it.  I know a lot people worry about how they are going to pay the bills - that story was my dad.  But he found a way, he and my mom.  I think the most important part of this was my mom.  If it wasn’t for her telling him he could do it, he would have never done it.  I think that’s true in life, when you have a good partner, you can make anything happen."

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Individuals who are living in communities with immigrants are 36% more likely to feel positively about immigrants than those who say there are no immigrants living in their community.  This seems intuitive enough, doesn't it? Familiarity tends to increase understanding. When these immigrants are our neighbors, our friends, our brother-in-laws, our florists, we are more prone to recognize their strengths and celebrate their successes.  We are more prone to reap the benefits of diversity if they are nearby- if we are grabbing a delicious gyro on our commute home from work or if we are looking forward to the traditional dance and music shows at the Asian festival on the weekend.  Viewing the one million plus newcomers each year as a lump sum, as opposed to widely diverse individuals with widely diverse backgrounds, interests, and aptitudes, leads to both misunderstandings and misrepresentations of the situation at hand.  Perhaps the best way to change the perception of immigrants as burdens to that of important contributors is to remove the plural and let each person share their own story.

Last Updated: January 15, 2020.

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Filling out government forms is never a walk in the park, and mistakes can lead to costs and delays. Confidence in what kind of information your I-90 application is asking for takes a lot of stress out of your submission. Off the tops of our heads, most of us don’t know what our “class of admission” is, so let’s start with that.

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Your Class of Admission is asked on Item Number 14 on your Form I-90. Essentially this 3-digit code identifies the category of your lawful residence status. For example, you could be identified as a "Self Petition unmarried son/daughter - of US Citizen - Family Sponsored First Preference"  aka B16, or a "Brother or sister of a country-region place U.S. citizen" (F41). There are hundreds of 3-digit codes that correspond with each of these categories, the complete USCIS list can be found here, but the best way to know how you were classified is to look at your Permanent Resident Card under Category. It is typically one or two letters followed by a single number.

To be clear, this states the status under which you were granted permanent residence, not the category that you entered the United States under. If you have more questions about form I-90, check out this article.

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Last Updated: January 15, 2020.

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The journey began in Mexico right before Christmas. My mother picked me and my sister up early from school one day. I remember my sister and I were overjoyed to see her because she was usually busy with work and didn't have time to pick us up from school. I was only seven years old then, and I had no idea my life was about to change forever. Everything seemed normal as I packed a small backpack when I got home, and I still didn't know we were leaving when my mother gave me and my sister and early Christmas present that night right before we boarded a Greyhound bus. I think it all started to sink in when I arrived in Utah and I saw the snow falling. I had never seen snow before. It was cold but I ran around trying to catch it as it fell in flurries to the ground. We were in America now, and we were going to make it our home.

My first challenge was learning English. The kids at my elementary school crowded around me during recess and lunch and kept trying to get me to talk to them. They would hold up basketballs, or point at chairs and ask me questions. I had no idea what they wanted, and the professors didn't know what I needed either. I would often make gestures to get permission to go to the bathroom, or mimic what I heard my classmates say even if I had no idea what the words meant. My mother was having similar problems. She walked up and down the grocery store aisles not knowing what kind of food she was getting or what the cashier was telling her. It got worse when my sister and I began speaking our school learned English at home, which wasn't very good, but much more advanced than the English my mother spoke. My mother had no idea what we were saying to each other. That was when she decided we all had to learn to speak, read, and write English. She signed me and my sister up for a special reading class during the school year and a summer reading program. My mother also began volunteering at our local library and joined me and my sister when we attended the library activities. She did reading and writing homework with us and would go out of her way to speak English with whoever would listen. She even joined the PTA of my elementary school to practice her speaking with my teachers and peers. She did this for years, and I remember my mom gave a lesson to my technology class when I was in jr. high. She still spoke with a heavy accent, but her reading and writing skills were as strong as mine by that time, and she understood English just as well.

I was about fourteen years old when my mother got remarried, but it was not until I was in high school that we began thinking seriously about getting our green cards. Up until then, we had been undocumented and hadn't thought much of changing our legal status, but I was starting to think about furthering my education and realized that I didn't have a social security number and could not apply for admittance to universities or for loans to help me pay tuition. Without a green card, my education would end after high school not because I didn't want to study, but because I couldn't apply. I discussed my worries with my mother. She listened and decided that it was time to get our green cards.

My mother began asking her friends for help. Most of them told her to look it up online. When she ran a search for green cards a huge list of attorneys came up. All of them were asking for high amounts of fees to fill out forms and get appointments. The prices ranged from 400-1500 dollars just to start the applications. We didn't have that kind of money. My mother was a cleaning lady and we hardly had enough to make it from month to month. There was no way we could hire an attorney. She told me and my sister about how hopeless it all seemed as she drove us home from school one day, and we all got scared and I began to cancel all of my plans to further my education. This broke my mother's heart. She didn't come all the way to America for us to give up. We had to find a way to obtain our green cards and eventually citizenship.

My mother found a Hispanic center close to our home and it was there that she found out about the USCIS.gov website. It was free and had instructions on what forms to fill, documents to gather, and steps to take in order to get a green card. While my sister and I went to school she went to the library and the computer there to read the instructions and print forms. If she didn't understand something she would get a library assistant to help. She also called and visited the USCIS field office and visited the local Hispanic Center frequently for more complicated questions. She had to gather her previous divorce papers, all of our birth certificates, passports, and other documents that were listed in the instructions. What I remember the most was when we all had to get our vaccinations up to date. My sister and I only had to get the tuberculosis test because we had been going to school and needed to get shots regularly, but my mother had to get almost seven shots in one doctor's visit. We also visited the Mexican Consulate to gather documents and have more questions cleared up. I remember that every Sunday my mother would sit on her bed and fill out forms and put together folders. Sometimes I sat on the bed and helped her out.

Overall, it took us two years to gather everything we needed. We each had our own folder stuffed with forms and documents. We mailed them in and waited. We were afraid and one time my mother sat me and my sister down and explained that because we had been undocumented for some years, there was a small chance that we might get deported for a year before we got our green cards, but that we should not be afraid. After six months we got the letters for our interviews. Our cases had been processed and if we did well in the interview we would get out green cards. We woke up early, dressed up in our nicest clothes, and did our hair. We arrived at the time we were scheduled and waited in a large room filled with chairs. A few others were in the waiting room with us, all looking as nice and nervous as us. We waited for two hours before they called us in. My mother, step-father, sister, and I walked in. The room was a small and very short man with glasses sat at the other side of a desk. He called us all by name to make sure we were all present. He looked at my mother and said, "Everything looks ok. We have all of your documents." We all smiled, and I remember I clutched my hands tightly together on my lap. He continued his speech. "I just have one question for you. Do you have any kind of proof that you all do things as a family? Do you have family passes or memberships to parks or events that you can show me?" We all looked at each other. We went to the movies every weekend, went swimming, had dinner together, and went to church but we had no way of proving it. My mother thought for a minute and then opened up her wallet. She pulled out a membership for the Clark Planetarium in Salt Lake City. My step-father, sister, and I followed her lead and pulled out our memberships too. The man smiled. "Alright. Congratulations," he said, and we all took a sigh of relief. My mother almost began to cry and she asked the man if she could give him a hug. He politely denied and shook all of our hands instead. We all hugged each other when we reached the parking lot and laughed and decided to go out to dinner to celebrate and we smiled and celebrated again when our green cards arrived in the mail a couple of months later. All the time, effort, and persistence paid off and my mother, sister, and I were finally permanent residents of the United States.

That victory was seven years ago, and thanks to my mother's hard work I am now about to graduate from Brigham Young University and my sister has a good job and has bought a house with her new husband. Currently, we are all going through the process of getting our citizenship. This has been much easier. Again, my mother has done all the work herself with the help of the USCIS.gov website. Since we are all adults now, we were able to work and save money to pay the necessary fees in about a year. Just the other day we all received our appointments for our interviews where we will turn in our green cards and be sworn in. My sister and I don't have to take a government or language test because we went through the public school system, but my mother got a list of books to get so she can begin studying for her exams. The books are inexpensive and she is excited to look over them and study when they arrive in a couple of weeks. Again, we are all a bit nervous but we are also relieved that we were able to get this far with free resources and hard work.

Updated: May 12, 2022

For Español click here.

Getting a Green Card means you have been authorized to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis.

In addition to living and working in the U.S. permanently, there are numerous other benefits of getting a green card:

• You can now sponsor family applying for their own green cards.
• You may travel outside the U.S. and return without disrupting your status.
• Once you've had your green card for five years, you may apply to become a U.S. citizen.
• You are eligible to receive Social Security benefits after 10 years of work.
• You qualify for in-state tuition.

How to Become a Permanent Resident

There are a few different ways you may become a green card holder:

• Sponsorship by a family member in the United States.
• Sponsorship by an employer's offer of permanent employment in the United States or through your own entrepreneurship.
• Through attaining refugee or asylee status or through another humanitarian program.

To qualify for a green card, you must fall into one of the available immigrant categories.

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Available Immigrant Categories:

• Family-based
• Job or employment-based
• Based on refugee or asylum status

a. Family-Based

You may qualify for a green card if you are:

• An immediate relative of a U.S. citizen. This includes spouses, unmarried children under the age of 21, and parents of U.S. citizens age 21 or older.
• Another family member of a U.S. citizen. This includes unmarried children over the age of 21, married children of any age, and brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens age 21 or older.
• A family member of a lawful permanent resident. This includes spouses and unmarried children of the sponsoring lawful permanent resident.

If you fall into one of the above categories, you can learn how to prepare a family-based green card application with SimpleCitizen here.

In addition to the above categories, being a member of another special category may qualify you to get a green card based on family. These include being a:

• Battered spouse or child
• A K nonimmigrant
• A person born to a foreign diplomat in the United States
• A V nonimmigrant
• A widow(er) of a U.S. citizen

Important to note: There is an order of preference for people who wish to immigrate to the U.S. based on family. First preference goes to the first category listed above, immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen. To see the complete order of preference for family members, visit the USCIS website.

b. Job or Employment-Based

You may qualify for a green card based on a job offer or your plans to invest in the U.S. economy and create jobs. The employment-based category includes:

• Green card through a job offer. This is also known as sponsorship through an employer — in other words, when an employer sponsors your green card application.
• Green card through investment or entrepreneurship. Immigrant investors/entrepreneurs who are investing in a U.S. - based business that creates new U.S. jobs may be eligible for a green card.

Green card through special categories of jobs. You may be able to get a green card based on having a past or current job in one of the following special categories set forth by the U.S. government:

• Afghan/Iraqi translator
• Armed forces member
• Broadcaster
• International organization employee
• Iraqi who assisted the U.S. government
• Afghan who assisted the U.S. government
• NATO-6 Nonimmigrant
• Panama Canal employee
• Physician National Interest Waiver
• Religious worker

c. Refugee or Asylum Status

You may be able to get a green card through your status as a refugee or asylee.

• If you're a refugee, the law requires you to apply for your green card within a year of entering the U.S.
• If you have been granted asylum in the U.S., the law requires you to apply for your green card within a year of asylum status being granted.

Filing an Immigrant Petition

If you belong to one of the above categories, next you will need an immigrant petition filed on your behalf. The petition establishes the basis for your immigration and the classification or category in which you belong.

• For people immigrating based on family, the petitioner will file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Click here to start a family-based petition.
• For people immigrating based on employment, the petitioner will file Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker

How to find out if you are eligible to apply

Everyone who wishes to get an immigrant visa (and apply for any subsequent status adjustment) must prove that they are eligible for admission to the United States.

What would make someone inadmissible? The grounds of inadmissibility are set by Congress and are particular to the category under which you are immigrating. These factors include:

• Financial reasons. The relative who sponsors you must be able to support you.
• Health-related reasons. You cannot have a disease that makes you a public health risk.
• Immigration history. If you've ever entered the U.S. illegally or overstayed a visa by six months or longer, you may be deemed inadmissible.
• Criminal history. Applicants who have been charged and/or convicted of certain crimes, such as violent felonies, drug offenses and terrorism, may be deemed inadmissible.

SimpleCitizen's Eligibility Quiz

In order to make sure you are eligible to apply and that you choose the correct application for your situation, you can use SimpleCitizen's free eligibility quiz here.

By answering just a few easy questions you can determine if you are eligible to apply. Here's how it works:

If you have a questions about your eligibility or are unsure how to get started, here are a few options:

• Contact SimpleCitizen Support

Sign up for SimpleCitizen & take the guesswork out of the Green Card process

You don't have to try to navigate the green card process yourself, and you don't have to pay outrageous attorney fees. SimpleCitizen's easy to use software will guide you through the whole green card application.

Apply for a green card at the fraction of the cost of using an attorney — with all the comfort of having a guide along the way.

Your American dream awaits you, and SimpleCitizen can help you achieve it.

Click here to start your application.

Last Updated: January 15, 2025

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Here at SimpleCitizen we provide immigrants with tools and expertise in order to make your status goals here achievable. Of course there many organizations that recognize the value of welcoming those that share the American dream. In order to give you the necessary tools to accomplish you goals, here are descriptions of nonprofits that have proven results in facilitating a better experience for immigrants of America.

In no particular order...

Refugees

International Rescue Committee - Better Aid

The world’s more than 60 million displaced people, the highest number ever recorded, require more than “aid as usual.” Their growing and increasingly complex needs mandate a transformation—a creative rethinking—in the global humanitarian response. The International Rescue Committee has taken on this challenge.[/caption]

The IRC works all around the world with a wide variety of issues, in the United States alone the IRC helped resettle 13,400 refugees in 2016. They have a very holistic approach to resettlement, primarily focused on immigrants that are fleeing a crisis. The IRC was started 80 years ago by Albert Einstein, whose genius seems to have penetrated the organization to this day. Fast Company claims that "...none that can rival its ability to help refugees and displaced people at every stage, from emergency response to resettlement..."

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With such a wide variety of help across the entire nation, the IRC is one of the top resources for refugees. You can get the contact info of branches all over the world here. It'd be impossible to go over all the services they offer in this article, but you can take a look at what they do in Education, Health, Economic Wellbeing, Empowerment, Safety and Gender equality on their website. Did we mention they have a very holistic approach? And if you want to join the cause, they also have a variety of volunteer and internship opportunities.

Deportation

For those threatened by deportation it can feel like such a life-changing event is completely out of your hands. Both United We Dream and Families for Freedom are committed to giving immigrants the tools to empower those in the face of deportation.

United We Dream - Immigrant youth building a movement for justice

Over 100,000 immigrant youth and allies. Fifty-five affiliate organizations. Twenty-six states. Oh, and its a youth-led organization. United We Dream has a huge network that they use to run immigrant-related political campaigns like stopping deportations and access to higher education. They have even branched into the "intersection of queer and immigrant rights." If any of these issues are relevant to you, then you can Get Help! You can also find a local group to participate in here.

Whether there is a local group near you or not, United We Dream has provided a Toolkit to help immigrants all over America. Their website includes an ICE activity reporting hotline as well as Deportation Defense Cards that you can download in multiple languages. They recommend that if you feel threatened by deportation to keep the card with you at all times.

Families for Freedom - "As long as deportations and unjust immigration policies continue we will continue to fight to keep our families together"

Founded in September 2002, Families for Freedom is a New York-based multi-ethnic human rights organization by and for families facing and fighting deportation.[/caption]

FFF started in response to the persecution to the often unmentioned victims of 9/11, when the wave of fear that followed one of America's greatest tragedies became directed to innocent Arabs and Muslims. FFF started with three families in a small apartment, you can read their powerful story on their The History of Families for Freedom page. Although initially FFF was focused on helping Arabs and Muslims, they have since expanded their net to include all immigrants. Like United We Dream, FFF has resources for understanding deportation threats, how to behave when your are threatened by deportation, understanding your rights, and a deportation hotline as well.

Both of these nonprofits are a powerful example of grassroots mobility and the power that average people with with a unified cause. If you feel threatened by deportation, start becoming familiar with their tools today.

Community Resources and Integration

Moving into new communities as an immigrant is full of challenges. Welcoming America and the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants use their vast network to support immigrants and the organizations that want to greet them in America.

Welcoming America - Building a Nation of Neighbors

Welcoming America began after founder David Lubelli's method for transforming the community mindset in Nashville began being copied other parts of the country. After realizing the potential of the the strategy he had implemented, David first went to Harvard for a year to study policy and social psychology, and to perfect his method. Then came Welcoming America, a platform to make the communities more "fertile" for welcoming immigrants. David recently got the Charles Bronfman Prize, and you can be rest assured any organization found on their Network Map will have been trained to fully support your integration in the community.

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants

Founded in 1911, the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants has deep roots in watching over vulnerable immigrant communities. Their rich history and commitment to providing homes for the needy has made them a leader in determining what needs to be facilitated to help immigrants be successful in America. This makes both the Committee's own offices and their partners a trusted resource.  For the four offices in New York, Iowa, Virginia, and North Carolina, some of the services they provide include:

• Naturalization
• Asylum
• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
• Family-based Immigration Petitions/Applications
• Consular Processing
• Adjustment of Status Applications
• Work Authorization
• Green Card Renewal Applications
• Self-Petitions for Battered Spouses and Children (VAWA)
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
• T Visa (victims of human trafficking)
• U Visa (victims of crime)
• Removal of Conditions to Permanent Resident Status
• Removal Proceedings

Of course their network of 97 partner organizations is another valuable asset. You can view their agency map here.

Immigrant Rights

American Immigration Council - Honoring our Immigrant Past, Shaping our Immigrant Future

Hopefully you will never need the American Immigration Council's direct services. As one of the heavy hitters among immigration litigation, they deal in the most critical immigration cases that shapes how the country interprets immigration law. In fact, they are so important that they will never resort to shortening their name in an acronym, instead referring to themselves as "the Council."

The Council has done a lot of good for the rights of immigrants. They are a nationwide fearless defender of fair interpretation of the law. When government agencies neglect or oppose their duty to uphold immigrant rights, the council will not hold back punches. You can read a Washington Post article about the Council's law suit against top U.S. officials including Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly here. In a time where the norms of government are being disrupted left and right, the American Immigration Council serves as a nonpartisan advocate for respect and accountability in immigration law.

In addition, the Council provides of valuable research to inform the public with their website http://immigrationimpact.com. It's a great resource for staying up-to-date on immigration news and developing issues. In their own words "The Council is a national leader in challenging the myths and misinformation that too often dominate the political and public debate around immigration." Finally, the Council has an Exchange Visitor Program which utilizes the J Visa sponsorship to enhance and promote cultural exchange.

Benefits

Immi - Understanding Your Options

Do you qualify to stay in the U.S.? - Find the path that's right for you. Answer some simple questions to get started.[/caption]

Little know secret, being informed about your immigration options is complicated.

Ok maybe that's not a secret, and maybe it doesn't have to be complicated.

Immi's somewhat clunky slogan tells you exactly what they do. However, their online screening tool is more like the name of this innovative nonprofit - user-friendly and techy. Immi's online screening tool allows immigrants to easily gain a better understanding of their legal options. After completing the survey, your results are sent to your phone or email. Imagine, 1.5 million undocumented immigrants having access to a tool that explains what benefits they are personally eligible for.

In addition, despite being less than a year old, Immi's has one of the best immigration Learning Centers and Legal Help directories, both powered by the vast data and experience of its two parent organizations: Immigration Advocate Network and probono.net. These two organizations have partnered before on several projects, and their past working relationship allowed them to respond with serendipitous timing to the sense of urgency catalyzed by American political rhetoric.

Local organizations can be found by Immi's Legal Help tool, which provides a user-friendly search engine to find helpful organizations nearby, primarily with legal help. In addition to filtering by location, you can also narrow your search by organizations that provide the specific services you need (including non-legal), populations served and other relevant criteria. Rest assured, all non-profits found at Immi have been recognized by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), or at least have staff that are included in their directory.

Honorable Mentions

HAIS

HAIS has study guides for citizen test available and subtitled prep videos in six languages: Arabic Nepali, Serbo-Crotiaon/Bosnian, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese

Americans for Immigration Justice

A unique combination of free direct services, impact litigation, policy reform, and public education at local, state, and national levels.

Upwardly Global

They work with skilled immigrants to find employment in the United States

The Young Center

This organization upholds immigrant child rights, they have a referral function on their page if you know of an immgrant child that could use their services

Passports and visas are official travel documents that all foreign citizens coming to the United States must have to show one's country of citizenship and legal status in the U.S., as well as to enter and leave the country. Losing these important documents can be very stressful - here's a short guide to help relieve some of that stress and move forward.

First of all, don't worry. Your visa is needed only to enter the United States; it has no relevance to your stay here after entry. In other words, if you happen to lose your visa while already in the country, you may remain the entire length of your authorized stay (as shown on your admission stamp or Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record) without any problems. You will, however, need a valid passport to depart the United States and enter another country. For information on how to replace your passport and visa, follow the steps outlined below.

Search

Make sure your passport/visa are actually lost and not just misplaced. Search your home, luggage, wallet/purse, and anywhere else you may have stored them. Ask family members and travel partners if they have any knowledge of the documents' location.

File a Police Report

If you still cannot find your passport/visa, go to your local police station and report your document(s) lost or stolen. If you have copies of the original documents, bring them with you. You will then be issued a police report detailing the incident. Make a copy of the report for your own records.

Report Loss of Your Passport

Contact or visit your country's embassy or consulate in the U.S. to notify them of your missing passport and for instructions on how to obtain a new one. If you think your passport has been stolen, reporting this will help guard against fraudulent use. It is extremely important that you perform a thorough search before you report it lost or stolen, because once reported, your passport is no longer valid for travel. However, if you find your passport after having reported it lost or stolen, it may still be used as a valid form of personal identification.

• If you do not have another form of photo identification, contact your country's embassy/consulate to find out what alternate documents you may need.

Report Loss of Your Visa

To report your visa lost or stolen, email the U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside the United States that issued your visa. Go to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website to locate the corresponding email address and contact information. Be sure to include your full name, date and place of birth, current address in the United States, and your email address. Clarify whether your visa was lost or stolen, and if you have a copy of it include it in the email. If you know the category of visa you have or your passport number, include these too.

Like your passport, if you have already reported your visa as lost or stolen to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate but later find it, your visa will be invalid for future use, and you will have to apply for a new one.

Applying for a Replacement U.S. Visa

For future travel into the United States, you will need a new visa. Unfortunately, lost or stolen visas cannot be replaced in the United States. For replacement, you must apply in person at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. When you apply for a visa replacement, you will need:

• A written account documenting the loss of your passport and visa
• A copy of the police report

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

• Again, you won't have any problems remaining as long as originally authorized, but you will need a new passport before you return home. The replacement process can take time, so begin as soon as possible to ensure that you have a new one in time for your return trip.
• Some embassies and consulates may offer faster processing procedures, so ask if them if there is a way to process the new passport quickly.
• Traveling while you wait for your new passport can be risky, so try to postpone travel plans until you receive your new passport.
• If you need to complete an I-9 for employment (employment verification form), wait until you have your new passport before processing the form.

One Last Tip

We recommend making copies of all travel documents in your possession as soon as possible after arriving in the United States. These include your passport biographic page, visa, and admission stamp or Form I-94. That way, if you do lose one or all of these important documents, the recovery/replacement process will be that much easier. Remember to stay calm, follow the procedures outlined here, and respond to all questions and embassy/consulate employees honestly and accurately - before you know it, you'll be along your way as if nothing ever happened. Safe travels!

Last Updated: January 15, 2020.

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The USCIS provides “conditional permanent resident status” and a two-year green card to immigrants married to a Legal Permanent Resident or United States Citizen. Those who wish to attain their status as a Lawful Permanent Resident must file the Form I-751 - Removal of Conditions Application. Now, what happens after you submit your Form I-751?

Receipt of Application

Within three weeks from submitting your I-751, you will receive a receipt by mail. This receipt will confirm the USCIS has received your form and has begun normal processing. This receipt is called Form I-797 - Notice of Action. It also serves as an extension to your conditional residence for a year while your I-751 is being processed. It will come with a ten-digit number that you can use to check the status of your application. Both the I-797 and expired green card are necessary to prove conditional residency status. You should also get an extension stamp or an I-551 stamp in your passport. You can get these from your regional USCIS office. To read more about that, check out this article. Should USCIS reject your application or need more information, they will send a Notice of Action or Request for Evidence.

Biometrics Appointment

>> What Happens at the Biometrics Appointment?

Within four weeks of filing, you will receive a notice detailing a biometrics appointment. The notice will include the  USCIS office where you will appear, the time of appointment, and the date. At your biometrics, you will record your fingerprints, photograph, and signature. (Keep in mind that although you may travel after having submitted your forms and are waiting for USCIS response, it is crucial you attend your biometrics appointment) The appointments are approximately 30 minutes, and your notice will provide details on what you will need to bring. Learn more about the biometrics appointment.

Within 5 months of your biometrics appointment, you won’t receive any further notices unless the information provided previously was unsatisfactory or needs to be re-recorded or re-submitted for any other reason.

Appointment Notice for Interview

>> How To Pass A Marriage Green Card Interview

Within 6 months, some applicants will receive an interview requirement notice. If you submit your own I-751 form, it will take 6-8 months to process; however, if your spouse submits the waiver application, it can take up to 12 months. A waiver application undergoes a more stringent screening process and often requires an interview. If the waiver application is accepted as legitimate, they will not feel a confirming interview is necessary. This is why providing valid proof of relationship (e.g. a marriage license) is important when submitting your I-751. Should you be asked to attend an interview, preparation counsel from an attorney prior to the interview is recommended. If you have used Simple Citizen and would like to schedule a call with our legal team, reach out to us at support@simplecitizen.com.

Petition to Remove Conditions granted and green card issued

Within 8 months, your application should be fully processed, and your Petition to Remove Conditions granted and green card issued. Keep in mind that the time frame is different for each form, and the entire process may take up to a year. (Remember, you can check your application’s status here.) If your mailing address changes after you’ve submitted your I-751, you should call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 to change your record. If you feel like your form request has extended beyond the regular processing time, visit this USCIS website.