Immigration Forms: Where to Find Them and How to Fill Them Out
Author: New York Immigration Attorney Alena Shautsova
Any application or petition for Immigration benefits starts with submission of immigration forms. All immigration forms can be located at www.uscis.gov website, and they are free. Immigration forms are usually posted in the PDF fillable format, but some of the forms are easier to be filled out than others. There are websites that sell the immigration forms for a fee and usually they are easier to work with, but there is no big difference, so there is no need to pay for them.
It is very important to identify and submit all the correct immigration forms. First, the forms must be of the recent edition; they should be filled out neatly and signed preferably in blue ink. On the form page, one will also see if the form must be accompanied with the fee. If an applicant fails to submit the appropriate fee, the submission will be rejected.
How to know if you prepared all necessary immigration forms? You should read the instructions. The USCIS website has many resources and short explanations as to what exactly is needed. Sometimes, the immigration forms are confusing and questions call for legal conclusions. That would be the time to see an attorney.
The most important thing, however, is to always say the truth.
Immigration Forms FAQ
Q. What to do if I cannot afford the immigration form’s fee?
A. Most of the times, you will be able to file a fee waiver request.
Q. If I was arrested and charged with a crime but it was reduced to violation, do I have a criminal conviction?
A. No, you do not have a criminal conviction, and the answer to the “conviction” question will be no. But you still need to disclose the fact of arrest and charges.
Q. What form a joint sponsor needs to file if my petitioner does not have sufficient income to sponsor me?
A. It is the same immigration form I-864, Affidavit of Support.
Q. Do I list all of my children on the immigration forms, even those who are not immigrating with me?
A. Yes.
Q. Do I need to list all the misspellings of my name I have in different passports?
A. Yes.