USCIS immigration forms
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues a number of forms for people to submit to them relating to immigrant and non-immigrant visa statuses.{{cite web|url=http://www.uscis.gov/forms|title = Forms|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services|access-date = April 6, 2015}} These forms begin with the letter "I". None of the forms directly grants a United States visa (visas can only be issued by US consulates outside the United States), but approval of these forms may provide authorization for staying or extending one's stay in the United States as well as authorization for work. Some United States visas require an associated approved USCIS immigration form to be submitted as part of the application.
Although the term immigration form is used on this page, and the forms begin with the letter "I", many of the forms pertain to non-immigrant visa classifications.
The USCIS also issues some administrative request forms (AR) for purposes such as address change as well as G forms for other administrative purposes. The AR and G forms are generally filed in conjunction with a USCIS I form. The two most important G forms are the G-28 (notice of entry or appearance of attorney){{cite web|url=http://www.uscis.gov/g-28|title = G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services|access-date = April 6, 2015}} and the G-1145 (e-notification of application/petition acceptance).{{cite web|url=http://www.uscis.gov/g-1145|title = G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services|access-date = April 6, 2015}}
The USCIS also handles forms related to naturalization and citizenship. These forms begin with the letter "N" and are not discussed on this page.
There are two main forms that begin with the letter I and pertain to immigration status but are not managed by USCIS: Form I-20 (issued by educational institutions to students on a F visa status){{cite web|url=http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2013/01/what-is-the-form-i-20|title = What is the Form I-20?|date = January 28, 2014|access-date = May 23, 2015|publisher = Department of Homeland Security}} and Form I-94 (issued by United States Customs and Border Protection when an alien enters the United States).{{cite web|url=http://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/|title = I-94|publisher = United States Customs and Border Protection|access-date = May 23, 2015}}
Filing details
=Fees=
All USCIS forms are free to download. The filing fees vary by form, from free to several hundred dollars.{{cite web|url=http://www.uscis.gov/fees|title = Filing Fees|access-date = April 6, 2015|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services}}
The filing fee for a form may not be the only fee that needs to be paid for the status being sought on the form. There may be additional fees associated with that status. For instance, Form I-129 is used to apply for H-1B status (among many other statuses); there are several additional fees associated with H-1B status.{{cite web|url=http://www.uscis.gov/i-129|title = I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker|access-date = April 6, 2015|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services}}
Two of the forms, Form I-129 and Form I-140, are eligible for the Premium Processing Service, which requires the filing of Form I-907.{{cite web|url= https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055?topic_id=97333|title = G-1055, Fee Schedule |publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services|access-date = April 9, 2025}} As of April 2025, this services costs $1,685 for the H-2B and R classifications and $2,805 for all others.
Some applicants are eligible for a fee waiver. To apply for a fee waiver, the applicant must submit Form I-912, Request for a Fee Waiver, along with the application form.{{cite web|url=http://www.uscis.gov/i-912|title = Form I-912, Request for a Fee Waiver|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services|access-date = April 16, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.uscis.gov/feewaiver|title = Fee Waiver Guidance|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services|access-date = April 16, 2015}}
Fees paid for USCIS immigration forms are deposited in the Immigration Examinations Fee Account (IEFA) managed by the United States Treasury; this account funds most of the USCIS budget.{{cite web|url = https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2001/08/08/01-19875/adjustment-of-certain-fees-of-the-immigration-examinations-fee-account|title = Adjustment of Certain Fees of the Immigration Examinations Fee Account|date = August 8, 2001|accessdate = December 19, 2021|publisher = Federal Register}}{{cite web|url = https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2019-title8/html/USCODE-2019-title8-chap12-subchapII-partIX-sec1356.htm|title = §1356. Disposition of moneys collected under the provisions of this subchapter|accessdate = December 19, 2021}}{{cite web|url = https://www.aila.org/File/Related/20073100c.pdf|title = Immigration Examinations Fee Account Fee Review Supporting Documentation with Addendum|date = May 1, 2020|accessdate = December 19, 2021|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services}}{{cite web|url = https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/19_0318_MGMT_CBJ-Citizenship-Immigration-Services_0.pdf|title = Department of Homeland Security United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Budget Overview|accessdate = December 19, 2021}}
=Paper filing=
All USCIS forms can be filed on paper. Payments must be included in the form of a check or money order along with the paper filing of the form.
The rules associated with where forms are to be mailed are complex: the location for mailing a form depends on the form name, the category of application, and the mailing address specified by the applicant (this may differ from the address the applicant sends the application from). The mailing address is either one of the lockbox addresses or one of the Service Center addresses.{{cite web|url=http://www.uscis.gov/i-765-addresses|access-date = April 6, 2015|title = Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services}} The lockboxes are in three US cities: Chicago (Illinois), Phoenix (Arizona), and Lewisville (Texas) (this is near Dallas, Texas and is often referred to as the Dallas lockbox). They are managed for the USCIS by a Department of Treasury designated financial agent.{{cite web|url=http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/directorates-and-program-offices/lockbox-intake/office-intake-and-document-production|title = Office of Intake and Document Production|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services|access-date = April 6, 2015}} The lockbox cashes in on the included payment, sends an e-notification if the applicant filed Form G-1145 with the application, and forwards the rest of the application to the service center.{{cite web|url=http://www.uscis.gov/forms-filing-tips|title = Tips for Filing Forms with USCIS|access-date = April 6, 2015|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services}}
Any response to a Request For Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) must always be sent to the Service Center that sent the request, and never to a lockbox address, regardless of whether or not the original application was filed with a lockbox.
=Electronic filing=
Some of the USCIS forms may be filed electronically via e-Filing (for Forms I-131, I-140, I-765, I-821, and I-907) or the USCIS Electronic Immigration System (USCIS ELIS) (for Forms I-526, I-539, I-90, or the Immigrant Fee).{{cite web|title=File My Application Online|url=http://www.uscis.gov/e-filing|archive-url=https://archive.ph/xgTwD|archive-date=2015-04-16 |access-date=April 16, 2015 |publisher=United States Citizenship and Immigration Services}}{{cite web |title=USCIS Electronic Immigration System |url=http://www.uscis.gov/uscis-elis |archive-url=https://archive.ph/8Gd7Y |archive-date=2015-04-16 |access-date=April 16, 2015 |publisher=United States Citizenship and Immigration Services}}
Electronic filing offers the following benefits:
- It reduces the hassle and cost of filing a paper application (but see the caveat below).
- Fees may be paid by debit card or credit card.
- The applicant receives an immediate confirmation of receipt of the application.
However, there are two major caveats:
- Supporting documents must be sent in by mail within 7 days of online filing, to the address specified on the e-Filing Confirmation Receipt. USCIS does not begin processing the application until all supporting documents are received. If they are not received then USCIS may send the applicant a request for evidence (RFE).
- If the applicant is requesting a fee waiver (filing Form I-912) then the application cannot be submitted online and must be filed on paper.
To enhance privacy and security for applicants, USCIS uses the HTTPS protocol for e-filing.{{cite web|title=Additional Online Privacy Information For E-filing|url=http://www.uscis.gov/forms/file-my-application-online-e-filing/additional-online-privacy-information-e-filing|archive-url=https://archive.ph/CAUUD|archive-date=2015-04-16|access-date=April 16, 2015|publisher=United States Citizenship and Immigration Services}}
Forms
The two main kinds of forms are:
- Petition forms: Filed by a petitioner requesting a benefit (immigrant or non-immigrant) for a beneficiary, who is usually a different person, though some self-petition options exist. These forms often carry the most uncertainty regarding approval and may be subject to quotas.
- Application forms: Related to entry to or exit from the United States, or work authorization. These benefits are generally governed by clearer rules and involve less uncertainty than petition forms.
In addition, there are affidavits (e.g., Form I-134, Affidavit of Support),{{cite web|url=http://www.uscis.gov/i-134|title =I-134, Affidavit of Support|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services|access-date = May 23, 2015}} verification forms (Form I-9, Employee Eligibility Verification Form),{{cite web|url=http://www.uscis.gov/i-9|title = I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification|access-date = May 23, 2015|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services}}{{Cite web |title=Form I-9: Employee Eligibility Verification |url=https://pdfguru.com/forms/i-9-form |archive-date= |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=PDFTemplates}} and request forms such as Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service.{{cite web|url=http://www.uscis.gov/i-907|title = I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service|access-date = May 23, 2015|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services}}
=Family-based petition forms=
=Other petition forms (employment-based, entrepreneurial, and special)=
=Application forms=
There are many application forms. Only the most important ones are listed below.
| class="sortable" border="1"
! Form name !! Who needs to file? !! Filing fee !! Filed to lockbox or service center? !! Electronic filing? !! Associated visa or immigration statuses | |||||
| I-131, Application for Travel Document{{cite web|url=http://www.uscis.gov/i-131|title = I-131, Application for Travel Document|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services|access-date = April 21, 2015}} | Applicant for re-entry permit, refugee travel document or advance parole travel document | Depends on type of applicant. Fee values include $105, $135, and $575. For I-485 applicants, there is no fee. | Lockbox or Service Center, depending on the category | Yes, via e-filing, but only for those applying for advance parole, not for those whose application is based on an approved request for consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals (Form I-821D). | Humanitarian/refugee statuses and DACA/DAPA-associated statuses. |
| I-539, Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status{{cite web|url=http://www.uscis.gov/i-539|title = I-539, Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status|access-date = May 23, 2015|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services}} | Applicants seeking to change, extend, or reinstate status. Note that this form need not be filed by those whose Form I-94 says "Duration of Status" and who are extending within the status provided by the form (for instance, somebody on a F visa with Duration of Status can simply extend the end date on the Form I-20 and need not submit Form I-539). It is also not to be submitted by those using Form I-129 to change or extend status. | $370 ($0 for some categories) | Lockbox or Service Center, depending on the category | Yes, via ELIS (for some categories) | Eligible for ELIS: Extend status for B-1, B-2, F-1, M-1 or M-2 visas; change status to B-1, B-2, F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, M-1 or M-2; reinstate status to F-1 or M-1 Other applications, such as T, U, and V status extensions, need to be made on paper. |
| I-765, Application for Employment Authorization{{cite web|url=http://www.uscis.gov/i-765|title = I-765, Application for Employment Authorization|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services|access-date = May 23, 2015}} | Applicant seeking permission to work. | $410; DACA applicants need an additional $85 biometrics fee. For I-485 applicants, there is no fee. | Lockbox for most categories, Service Center for some | Yes, via e-filing (for some categories) | A number of statuses, including DACA-associated statuses as well as F visa (student) statuses applying for Optional Practical Training or Curricular Practical Training |
| I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status{{cite web|url=http://www.uscis.gov/i-821|title = I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status|access-date = May 23, 2015|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services}} | Applicant seeking Temporary Protected Status | $50 or $0; however, it must be filed along with Form I-765, which has a fee of $410 | Complicated{{cite web|url=http://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status-deferred-enforced-departure/temporary-protected-status|title = Temporary Protected Status|access-date = May 23, 2015|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services}} | Yes, via e-filing, but only for re-registration, and if so, Form I-765 must be filed online along with it | All applicants for TPS |
| I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals{{cite web|url=http://www.uscis.gov/i-821d|title = I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals|access-date = May 23, 2015|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services}} | Applicant seeking deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program | Must be filed with Form I-765, which has a filing fee of $410; also an $85 biometrics fee. No separate fee for I-821D | Lockbox | No | All applicants for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals |
=Appeal forms=
These are the forms that need to be filed to appeal a decision by a USCIS officer regarding another form. The appeal form must be filed by the party that filed the original form. In particular, in the case of a petition, the appeal must be filed by the petitioner and cannot be filed by the beneficiary (if distinct from the petitioner). Appeals are handled by the Board of Immigration Appeals within the Executive Office for Immigration Review (part of the Department of Justice) and the Administrative Appeals Office within the USCIS. BIA's main role is for challenges to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement decisions, but it is also used to appeal some USCIS forms.
Of the USCIS immigration forms, decisions on the two forms Form I-130 (family-based immigration, the F and IR categories) and the widower subcategory for Form I-360 (special immigrants, the EB-4 category), must be appealed through the EOIR-29 (Notice of Appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals from a Decision of an Immigration Officer) to the Board of Immigration Appeals. Also, appeals for denials of Form N-400 (the naturalization petition) must be made using Form N-336. For Special Agricultural Worker (SAW) or legalization applications, the appeal must be filed on Form I-694, Notice of Appeal of Decision under Sections 245A or 210 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
For all other USCIS petitions where appeal is possible, the petitioner can appeal an adverse USCIS decision on the petition to the AAO using Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion.
As of December 2016, appeal to AAO is possible for the following petition forms: I-129 (nonimmigrant worker), I-140 (immigrant worker), I-526 (immigrant investor), Form I-821, I-129F, I-601, I-212, I-360, I-600, I-600A, I-914, I-918, N-470. As of December 2016, there are no appeal rights for Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status)
There is no standalone appeals process for Form I-765.
The form is usually applied for in conjunction with another form that grants the underlying authorization, and a denial of the other form can be appealed.
=Form I-797=
Form I-797 is a form used by the USCIS to issue approval of status or notice of receipt for applications. It is not a form that people can fill out.{{cite web|url=http://www.uscis.gov/i-797-info|title = Form I-797: Types and Functions|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services|access-date = November 29, 2017}}
Form-filling guidelines
The USCIS website includes a number of tips for people filing USCIS forms, including suggestions to download the latest version from the website, use black ink, and start with a clean form in case of errors. All supporting documents must be included in the application, and documents not in English must include a certified English translation.
Law resource NOLO emphasizes the importance of filling in all fields, even if it's filled with "N/A", and being accurate and consistent. NOLO also places emphasis on getting one's name correct.