The United States immigration process can be complex and overwhelming, with a variety of forms and paperwork to navigate. In this guide, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the most common PDF forms used in the U.S. immigration process, including their purpose, relation to other forms, commonalities, and differences.
Forms:
- I-102: Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document
- I-129: Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker - used by employers to petition for temporary foreign workers to come to the U.S. for employment.
- I-129F. Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)
- I-130, Petition for Alien Relative: This form is used by U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to petition for their foreign-born spouse, parent, child, or sibling to immigrate to the United States. The I-130 is often the first step in the family-based immigration process.
- I-130A: Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary - used as a supplement to Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, for a spouse beneficiary.
- I-131: Application for Travel Document - used to request permission to travel outside the U.S. while an application for permanent residency is pending.
- I-131A: Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation)
- I-134: Affidavit of Support
- I-134A: Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support
- I-140: Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker - used by employers to petition for permanent residency for foreign workers.
- I-290B: Notice of Appeal or Motion
- I-360: Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant
- I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status: This form is used by individuals who are already in the United States and wish to adjust their status to become lawful permanent residents. The I-485 is often filed concurrently with the I-130 in family-based immigration cases.
- I-551: Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
- I-589: Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal
- I-601: Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility - used to request a waiver for certain grounds of inadmissibility for foreign nationals seeking admission to the U.S.
- I-693: Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record
- I-693A: Vaccination Supplement to I-693
- I-751: Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence - used to remove the conditions on a conditional permanent residency status.
- I-765, Application for Employment Authorization: This form is used by individuals who are in the process of adjusting their status or have other types of pending immigration applications to apply for work authorization in the United States.
- I-765WS. Form I-765 Worksheet
- I-766. Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
- I-797. Notice of Action
- I-797C. Notice of Action
- I-821: Application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) - used by individuals who are temporarily unable to return to their home country due to ongoing armed conflict or environmental disasters.
- I-821D: Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) - used by individuals who came to the U.S. as children and meet certain requirements to request deferred action from deportation.
- I-824. Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition
- I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA: This form is used by U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who are sponsoring a family member for immigration to the United States. The sponsor must demonstrate that they have the financial means to support the immigrant and prevent them from becoming a public charge.
- I-864EZ: Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act - used to show that a sponsor has sufficient financial resources to support an intending immigrant.
- I-864A - Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member
- I-864P - 2023 HHS Poverty Guidelines for Affidavit of Support
- I-9: Employment Eligibility Verification
- I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card: This form is used by lawful permanent residents to replace or renew their green card if it has been lost, stolen, or damaged.
- I-907: Request for Premium Processing Service - used to request faster processing of certain forms for an additional fee.
- I-912: Request for Fee Waiver
- I-929: Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigrant - used to request derivative U nonimmigrant status for certain family members of a principal U-1 nonimmigrant.
- I-94: Arrival/Departure Record, for documenting foreign visitors' arrivals and departures from the United States
- I-944: Declaration of Self-Sufficiency - used to demonstrate that an applicant for permanent residency is not likely to become a public charge.
- DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
- DS-260: Online Immigrant Visa Application
- N-400: Application for Naturalization: This form is used by individuals who have been lawful permanent residents for at least five years (or three years if married to a U.S. citizen) and wish to apply for U.S. citizenship.
- N-648: Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions
- N-600: Application for Certificate of Citizenship
- AR-11: Alien’s Change of Address Card
- Form G-28. Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative
Some of these forms are related to each other, such as the I-130 and I-485, which are often filed concurrently in family-based immigration cases. The I-864 is also related to the I-485, as it is required for family-based immigrants to show that they have financial support in the United States.
Many of these forms require extensive documentation and evidence to support the applicant's case. They also require payment of a fee, which can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
Each form has its own specific requirements and eligibility criteria. For example, the I-765 is only available to certain categories of applicants, such as those with pending adjustment of status or asylum applications. The I-90 is only available to lawful permanent residents who need to replace or renew their green card. It is important to carefully review the instructions for each form and consult with an immigration attorney or the USCIS website to ensure that you are using the correct form and filling it out correctly.
Some of these forms are used to petition for temporary or permanent residency for foreign workers, such as the I-129 and I-140. Other forms, such as the I-821D and I-821, are used for individuals who are unable to return to their home country due to armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other circumstances.
The I-944 and I-864EZ are both used to demonstrate financial self-sufficiency for individuals seeking permanent residency, but the I-944 is used to show that the applicant is not likely to become a public charge, while the I-864EZ is used to show that the sponsor has sufficient financial resources to support the immigrant.
The I-751 is used to remove the conditions on a conditional permanent residency status, while the I-130A is a supplement to the I-130 for a spouse beneficiary.
The I-131 is used to request permission to travel outside the U.S. while an application for permanent residency is pending, while the I-601 is used to request a waiver for certain grounds of inadmissibility for foreign nationals seeking admission to the U.S.
The I-907 is used to request faster processing of certain forms for an additional fee, while the I-912 is used to request a waiver of certain USCIS fees.
Lastly, the I-929 is used to request derivative U nonimmigrant status for certain family members of a principal U-1 nonimmigrant.
Overall, these forms are related to various aspects of the immigration process, including petitions for residency, financial self-sufficiency, travel, and waivers. They have some commonalities, such as demonstrating financial resources or hardship, but also have differences in their specific purposes and requirements.
The U.S. immigration process can be daunting, but understanding the most common PDF forms used in the process can help applicants navigate the system more effectively. By carefully reviewing each form's purpose, relation to other forms, commonalities, and differences, applicants can ensure that they are using the correct form and filling it out correctly. As always, it is recommended to consult with an immigration attorney or the USCIS website for further guidance.