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• Advance Parole, Reentry Permits and Travel Documents (Form I-131)

How do I request expedited processing of a travel document?

Home » How do I request expedited processing of a travel document?

June 28, 2021

Generally, it can take several for USCIS to process your Form I-131, Application for Travel Document . Check USCIS processing times for the latest estimates. However, you may be able to get expedited processing of a travel document in certain situations.

Criteria for Expedited Processing on Form I-131

USCIS may expedite an Application for Travel Document (Form I-131), in certain situations, which may include:

• Severe financial loss to company or person;
• Emergency situations;
• Humanitarian reasons;
• Nonprofit organization whose request is in furtherance of the cultural and social interests of the United States;
• U.S. government interests (such as public safety or national security interests); or
• Clear USCIS error.

Note that USCIS may provide expedited processing if there’s risk of severe financial loss to a company or person, provided that the need for urgent action is not the result of the applicant’s failure to act. The applicant’s failure to file the I-131 application in a timely manner or respond to requests for additional evidence are not valid reasons to requested expedited services.

How to Request Expedited Processing on Form I-131

It can be difficult to obtain a travel document on an expedited basis. It’s always best to apply for a travel document well in advance of travel, whenever possible. However, when there is a need, there are steps applicants should take to improve their chances of having such requests approved.

Mistakes on your Form I-131 can cause costly delays or a denial.

Consequences of leaving the united states.

Before departing the United States, understand what documents you will need to reenter the U.S. Generally, you should obtain your travel document before leaving the United States. Likewise, understand whether or not your departure will negatively impact your application(s) for immigration benefits.

For example, travel outside of the United States may have severe consequences if you are in the process of adjusting status to permanent resident (applying for a green card). In general, if you are seeking immigrant status (green card) and depart the United States without Advance Parole, you may be inadmissible to the United States upon return, or even if admitted, you may be found to have abandoned your I-485 application.

RECOMMENDED: Advance Parole Travel with Adjustment of Status

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The “Advance Parole” I-131 Application for Travel Document

How to apply for a travel permit while waiting for your green card, in this guide.

• Why You Need a Travel Document
• When and How to Apply For a Travel Document
• Travel Restrictions and Renewing Your Travel Document
• Emergencies
• Planning Your Trip
• Returning to the United States With a Travel Document
• Related Information

What is a travel permit?

A travel permit is a document that allows someone living in the U.S. while awaiting their green card to travel abroad without nullifying their green card application.

What is USCIS Form I-131?

Form I-131 is officially called the Application for Travel Document, and can be used to apply for one of several types of travel documents, such as a re-entry permit , refugee travel document , TPS travel authorization document , or the advance parole travel document , which is the subject of this guide.

What is Advance Parole?

The advance parole travel document permits you to travel back to the U.S. without applying for another visa, and without nullifying the application you have in progress. It is commonly used when someone has a pending application for permanent residence , adjustment of status or asylum .

Your green card application will be terminated if you leave the United States while that application is pending, unless you have a valid travel document at the time you leave the country.

Even if you don’t have any specific travel plans, it’s a good idea to apply for a travel document at the same time you first submit your green card application. Then, if you do need to travel for a family emergency, a business opportunity, or any other reason, you won’t need to decline because of your pending green card application.

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The travel document provides someone living in the United States with “advance parole.” (This has nothing to do with the “parole” you hear about in an episode of Law & Order . In the context of immigration law, “advance parole” is just a technical way of saying “permission ahead of time to re-enter the United States.”)

If you leave the United States while your green card application is pending and you don’t have a travel document, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will consider your green card application abandoned and will deny it. At best, that means you’ll have to redo all of the paperwork and pay the fees a second time. At worst, you could find yourself unable to re-enter the United States.

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The fastest and easiest way to apply for a travel document is as part of the original marriage green card application package you send to USCIS, by including Form I-131 (“Application for Travel Document”) along with the main forms ( I-130 and I-485 ).

You must attach a copy of your photo identification (such as a copy of the photo page of your passport) to the travel document application, as well as two passport-sized photos . There is no additional fee if you submit your travel document application (Form I-131) at the same time as your initial application for a green card (Form I-485, filed anytime after July 30, 2007).

If you’ve already submitted your green card application, you can still get a travel document that will allow you to leave the United States. In this case, when you file Form I-131 with USCIS, include a copy of your photo ID, two passport-sized photos, and a copy of the receipt notice showing that USCIS previously received your green card application including the full application fee. You will still be required to pay the $630 fee to file Form I-131 with a pending green card application.

It’s essential that you don’t leave the United States until you’ve actually received your travel document, but otherwise there are no travel restrictions for marriage-based green card applicants. You can only remain outside the United States, however, as long as you re-enter the U.S. before the expiration date printed on your travel document.

The travel document is valid for one year after it’s issued, typically within 150 days (in some cases longer) after submitting your application materials to USCIS. (Until recently, the normal processing time for a travel document was 90 days, but a growing backlog has caused additional delays. USCIS provides a database where you can check the most current processing times , updated once per month.)

If you haven’t received your green card yet and you plan to travel after that year has elapsed, it’s important to renew your travel document in a timely fashion. You can file a renewal application as early as 120 days before your current travel document expires, and it’s a good idea to submit the renewal as early as possible. The renewal travel document is usually processed within the same timeframe as that for the initial application: 150 days or longer. It’s important to plan ahead to avoid gaps in your ability to travel.

To renew your travel document, submit Form I-131 with a copy of your current travel document, a copy of the receipt notice from your green card application, and two passport-sized photos. There is no additional fee.

Boundless offers unlimited support from our team of immigration experts, so you can apply with confidence and focus on what’s important, your life in the U.S. Learn more.

It is possible to get an expedited travel document if you need to travel because of an emergency. USCIS issues emergency travel documents in situations like the death or sudden illness of a family member abroad. If you find yourself in this situation, you can make an appointment with your local USCIS office . You should bring your completed I-131, two passport photos, and evidence to prove that you have an urgent need to travel. This evidence might be a death certificate, medical records, or a signed letter from your family member’s doctor. There is no additional fee for an emergency travel document.

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The travel document usually arrives within 150 days (sometimes longer) after submitting your application. You can’t leave the country until you have your approved travel document in hand, so you should expect to spend the 3–5 months after submitting your green card application in the United States.

Theoretically, you could be out of the United States for as long as you have a travel document (one year plus renewals). In practice, however, that’s not possible, because then you would miss your fingerprinting and green card interview appointments . If you find that you are unable to attend your fingerprinting or interview appointment, you should promptly follow the rescheduling instructions printed on the USCIS appointment notice.

In general, it’s a good idea to make arrangements to be alerted of any USCIS notices that are sent to you while you are abroad. (For example, you can ask a friend or a neighbor to inform you of any USCIS notices you receive by mail.)

Even after you have submitted your green card application, you are still not a permanent resident of the United States. When you re-enter the United States , you’ll be considered an “arriving alien.” It’s fairly common for people with travel documents to be pulled aside for secondary inspection. Don’t be alarmed if that happens—the border agent is likely just verifying that you have a pending green card application.

Travel documents do not guarantee that the border agent will allow you back into the United States, however. If you have any reason to suspect that you might be turned away at the border, you should carefully consider whether or not you need to travel before your green card application has been approved.

For example, If you have been in the United States for any amount of time without legal immigration status, then leaving the United States under most circumstances will trigger a bar from re-entering the United States for either three or ten years , depending on how long you were in the United States without status. If you’re in this situation, it is a good idea to avoid travel until you have a green card.

In summary, there is really no downside to applying for a travel document at the same time you submit your green card application, so you should do so even if you don’t have any specific travel plans.

More Advance Parole FAQs

If you are in the U.S. and have applied for a green card but are still waiting for your application to be processed, then you might be interested in applying for a travel permit to travel outside the U.S.. Otherwise, if you leave without the travel document, USCIS may consider your green card application abandoned.

If you already have a green card, and wish to leave the U.S. for more than a year but less than two years, then you might also be interested in arranging for a travel document before you leave.

No, Advance Parole does not guarantee admission into the United States. Upon arriving at a port of entry, you’ll undergo inspection by Customs and Border Protection officers who will make the final decision on whether to admit you.

The Advance Parole document itself does not grant permission to work. However, individuals who have filed an adjustment of status application may apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) while waiting for a decision on their application.

If your Advance Parole document expires while you’re abroad, you might have difficulties returning to the U.S. It’s generally advised to return to the U.S. before your Advance Parole expires.

You can choose not to apply for a work permit now. If the applicant changes their mind later, they may apply for the work permit at any time after filing Form I-485 (officially called the “Application for Adjustment of Status”).

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Form I-131: The Advance Parole Travel Document Explained

If you have or are applying for a green card, DACA status, or certain humanitarian visas, and you want to travel outside the United States, you need to get a travel document from the U.S. government. You apply for this document by filing Form I-131: Application for Travel Document with USCIS. This allows you to get what’s called an Advance Parole document. Below is a guide on how to apply for Advance Parole step-by-step as well as tips for to plan for your temporary travel.

Written by Jonathan Petts .  Updated September 24, 2023

What Is Advance Parole?

An Advance Parole document allows current green card applicants to leave the United States for temporary travel and return without disrupting their green card (permanent resident card) application process. There are a few situations you can be in while applying for Advance Parole, such as: having a pending application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or being a DACA recipient. In this article, we are focusing on individuals applying for Advance Parole with a pending green card application . 

To apply for Advance Parole, you must file Form I-131: Application for Travel Document with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Green card applicants looking to travel abroad for any reason must obtain Advance Parole before leaving the United States. If you leave the U.S. without the proper travel documents, USCIS will close your green card application.  

Why Do I Need Advance Parole?

You need Advance Parole if you have a pending green card (permanent resident card) application and want to take a trip outside the United States. If you leave the United States without Advance Parole and USCIS hasn’t approved your green card application, the agency will consider your case abandoned and likely deny for application.

If USCIS closes your green card application, you have to start the process over again, which is expensive and time-consuming. To avoid this, you need to complete Form I-131: Application for Travel Document and apply for Advance Parole before leaving the U.S.

You do not need to apply for Advance Parole if you are waiting for USCIS to process your Form I-485 and you are: 

A temporary worker under a valid H-1 visa (or their spouse or child)

An intra-company transferee under a valid L-1 visa (or their spouse or child)

Who Is Eligible for Advance Parole?

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis. You’re eligible to apply for Advance Parole if you fall within one of these categories:

You submitted an adjustment of status green card application using Form I-485

You applied for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)* 

You submitted an asylum application or you are an asylee

You currently have a pending application for temporary resident status under Section 245(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)

USCIS granted you TPS, T nonimmigrant, or U nonimmigrant status 

USCIS or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) granted you humanitarian parole under Section 212 (d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)

You received benefits through the Family Unity Program

You’re a DACA recipient

*On July 1, 2022 USCIS began issuing a new travel authorization document for people who receive TPS. This new form is called: Form I-512T, Authorization for Travel by a Noncitizen to the United States.

Who Is Not Eligible for Advance Parole?

You aren’t eligible for Advance Parole if one or more of the following applies to you:

You are residing in the United States without valid immigration status after entering unlawfully many times

You have a valid reentry permit or refugee document 

You are on a J visa or a visa with a foreign residence requirement

You are a beneficiary of a private immigration bill approved by Congress

You are currently in the middle of a removal proceeding (deportation)

You are an asylee or a refugee, but you’re not adjusting your status to a green card 

If you’ve been in the United States unlawfully, you may file for Advance Parole. However, even if granted, you still may be barred from reentry by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

If you’ve lived in the United States without status for any period of time, you should always consult an immigration lawyer before traveling abroad. If you can't afford a lawyer, you can contact a legal aid office for help.

How Do I Apply for Advance Parole? A Step-by-Step Guide

First, you will need to complete the official application form, called Form I-131: Application for Travel Document. When you have completed the form, you will have to gather the government filing fees and supporting documentation, and then finally submit them together with Form I-131 to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Step 1: Complete Form I-131

Form I-131 is officially called the Application for Travel Document. This document is used for anyone applying for a Reentry Permit, a Refugee Travel Document, and Advance Parole. You cannot submit your travel permit request to the U.S. government without completing and signing this form. 

You can complete the form in two ways — either online by creating a MyUSCIS account or on paper by downloading, printing, and completing the most recent version of Form I-131 from the USCIS website. You will need your Alien Registration Number (A Number) to complete your application.

Step 2: Gather Fees & Supporting Documents for Form I-131

When you have completed Form I-131, it is time to gather the $575 filing fee and the required supporting documents. You must include these supporting documents with the Form I-131 application:

Your receipt notice from USCIS after filing Form I-485, if your green card is pending

Two passport-style photographs 

USCIS-issued document showing the validity of your current immigration status — this could be an approval/receipt notice ( Form I-797 )

A photocopy of a government-issued identification document (ID), which must include your name, date of birth, and a photo — examples of acceptable forms of ID include a passport, drivers license, and employment authorization document (EAD)

Marriage certificate (if applying for Advance Parole based on your spouse’s pending green card application)

Child’s birth certificate (if applying for Advance Parole for a child based on a pending child green card application)

Detailed evidence explaining your reasons for traveling — you can explain your reasons with a Declaration of Support Letter

If any of your supporting documents aren’t in English, USCIS requires the documents be accompanied by a certified English translation .

It’s also a good idea to include a cover letter for your application. This short letter explains what supporting documents are in your application and helps keep things organized.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

You can submit your completed Form I-131: Application for Travel Document and supporting documents to USCIS either online or by mail. To submit online, you must first create a MyUSCIS account . Then you can submit your petition through your account on the USCIS website.

If you choose to submit your USCIS forms by mail, you will have to send your application packet to a specific USCIS filing address. The address depends on where you live and what mail service you use to send your forms. For Advance Parole applicants who have a pending Form I-485 (green card) application, you’ll send your documents either to the USCIS lockbox in Chicago, Dallas, or Phoenix. The USCIS website lists these addresses .

If You’re Filing Form I-131 Overseas

If you’re filing Form I-131 overseas, you must first get permission from your local U.S. embassy or consulate. You’ll have to set up an appointment with your local U.S. embassy to make your request in person. The State Department has an up-to-date list of all U.S. embassies and consulates.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Advance Parole?

The filing fee for Form I-131 is $575. If you cannot afford this filing fee, you may be able to apply for a fee waiver by filing Form I-912 . You can also check out our tips for fundraising the fees .

You can pay using a money order, personal check, cashier’s check, or credit card. All checks should be made payable to the “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” If you’re using a credit card, you must also file Form G-1450 : Authorization for Credit Card Transactions with your Form I-131 application. USCIS can only process your credit card payment using Form G-1450. 

How Long Does It Take To Get Advance Parole?

It’s currently taking USCIS 6 to 18 months to process Advance Parole applications. Processing times vary a lot by USCIS service center and may change over time. Your Form I-131 application can be delayed if you didn’t fill it out completely and correctly, mail it to the correct address, and ensure USCIS received it. 

The application processing time may take longer if the USCIS service center handling your case is experiencing significant processing backlogs. You can see USCIS’ current processing times on its webpage.

I Have an Emergency. Can I Get Advance Parole Quicker?

In some cases, USCIS will expedite applications. This can reduce the processing time to 30 days. To expedite your Advance Parole document application, you must demonstrate to USCIS that:

You’ve suffered a financial loss to your company or person

You’re experiencing an emergency

You have a valid humanitarian reason

You’re affiliated with a nonprofit organization requesting an expedited application for culture or social interests benefiting the United States

Your request is made by the Department of Defense or another U.S. government agency to promote the national interest

USCIS made an administrative error

You have another compelling interest determined by USCIS

USCIS grants emergency Advance Parole requests based on its officers’ discretion in emergencies. To do this, you will have to visit the nearest USCIS office with the following documents:

A completed Form I-131

Evidence supporting the emergency request

Two passport-style photos

Successful emergency Advance Parole requests are usually processed on the same day. 

What You Need To Know When Traveling With Advance Parole

Once you’ve successfully applied for Advance Parole, you cannot leave the United States until you’ve received your physical travel document. 

Typically, an Advance Parole document allows you temporary travel for up to one year abroad. However, USCIS reserves the right to revoke your Advance Parole document for any reason. If this happens, you cannot return to the United States without a valid U.S. visa or other documentation. 

You should also be mindful of scheduled fingerprinting ( biometric services ) and interview appointments. Although your travel permit may allow temporary travel for up to one year, you may miss many of these appointments without regularly returning to the U.S. 

The same goes for regularly receiving mailed communications (such as a notice of action ) from USCIS, which help you understand the status of your application. It’s best to make arrangements to receive mail while traveling abroad or update your mailing address with USCIS.

Reentry Into the U.S.

It is important to know that even if you have a valid Advance Parole document , there is no guarantee you can reenter the U.S. after traveling abroad. When arriving at a port of entry upon your return to the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will conduct an inspection and determine your admission back into the U.S. Unfortunately, DHS could deny your reentry. 

It is also possible for DHS to revoke your Advance Parole at any time, including while you are abroad. This can happen even if your Form I-131 application has been approved and you have the correct Advance Parole documents. With these risks, it is crucial to determine whether temporary travel outside of the United States is necessary.

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USCIS I-131A Application for Travel Document Fee

Before you start the payment process, eligibility.

Anyone can pay the I-131A filing fee from anywhere in the world. Whoever pays the fee must use a credit or debit card or U.S. bank account.

The current filing fee is $575.00

You must submit your filing fee before going to a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate to file your Form I-131A. You must bring evidence of payment with you when you appear in person at your nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate to file Form I-131A.

Refund Policy

USCIS does not refund fees, regardless of any action we take on your application, petition or request, or how long USCIS takes to reach a decision.

By continuing this transaction, you acknowledge that you must submit fees in the exact amount and that you are paying the fees for a government service.

Please refer to the instructions for the form(s) you are filing for additional information or you may call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) 800-767-1833.

Information You May Need

To pay the fee, you will need the correct first and last names, date of birth, and A-Number as they appear on the lawful permanent resident's (LPR's) Green Card or Reentry Permit.

Refugee Travel Document Processing Time: How to Solve Timing Issues

Are you in the United States in refugee or asylum status?

If so, you will need a refugee travel document to travel outside of the United States. A refugee travel document is a small booklet, similar to a passport, and is necessary to travel if you are a refugee or asylee. Without a refugee travel document, you may be unable to reenter the United States, or you may potentially face removal proceedings.

In this guide, I’ll discuss the refugee travel document processing time. I will also discuss how to overcome timing issues if you must leave the United States urgently. If you have any questions, you may email me directly at [email protected] .

• Refugee Travel Document Processing Time
• How to Overcome Timing Issues
• What to Avoid: Travel to Your Country of Claimed Persecution

1. Refugee Travel Document Processing Time

There are 4 main steps throughout the process of getting a refugee travel document.

• Issuance of USCIS Receipt Notice
• Issuance of Biometrics Appointment Notice
• Actual Biometrics Appointment Date
• Issuance of Actual Refugee Travel Document

1. Issuance of USCIS Receipt Notice (1 to 3 Weeks from Filing)

The first step in getting a refugee travel document is to file Form I-131 with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The Form I-131 is the Application for Travel Document. Once this form is filed, USCIS will mail you a receipt notice. The receipt notice is the confirmation that USCIS has received your case. This notice will also have a unique receipt number which can be used to track your case through the USCIS case status tracker . The USCIS receipt notice should come in the mail within 1 to 3 weeks of filing your Form I-131.

2. Issuance of Biometrics Appointment Notice (4-6 Weeks from Filing)

To get a refugee travel document, you must attend a mandatory biometrics appointment. At the biometrics appointment, your digital fingerprints are taken. Before your biometrics appointment, you are sent a biometrics appointment notice. This notice typically comes about 6 weeks from the time you file your refugee travel document application. The biometrics appointment notice specifies the time and date of the biometrics appointment. The appointment notice also includes important information about what you are required to bring with you to the biometrics appointment and how to reschedule the appointment if necessary.

3. Actual Biometrics Appointment Date (6-8 Weeks from Filing)

The actual biometrics appointment usually takes place about 8 weeks from the time the I-131 is filed with USCIS. Make sure to attend the correct USCIS Application Support Center as listed on the appointment notice. In addition, make sure to bring a valid form of identification such as a Driver’s License or passport.

4. Issuance of Actual Refugee Travel Document (2 to 5 Months from Filing)

Your actual refugee travel document should be issued within about 2 to 5 months from filing your Form I-131. You may request that the actual document be sent to your U.S. address, your attorneys address (if you choose to work with an attorney), or to a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad.

To find out the current USCIS processing time, you may also use the USCIS Case Check Processing Times resource.

2. How to Overcome Timing Issues

The Major Timing Issue: Physical Presence Requirement

As a refugee or asylee in the United States, you should ideally be physically present in the United States when your refugee travel document application is filed with USCIS.

You are still eligible to apply for a refugee travel document if you are outside of the United States, assuming your departure from the U.S. was less than a year before the application was filed. However, if you are outside of the U.S. when the application is filed, the USCIS director with jurisdiction over your case has discretion over whether to approve or deny your case.

For this reason, it is best practice to remain in the United States until you receive your refugee travel document. However, many people have an urgent need to leave the United States and cannot wait 2 to 5 months for the refugee travel document to be produced.

Now let’s discuss some potential solutions.

Leaving After the Biometrics Appointment

If you cannot remain in the United States until the actual refugee travel document is produced, one option is to leave after attending your biometrics appointment. On the application for refugee travel document, you can request that the document be sent to a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. The biometrics appointment is typically scheduled to take place roughly 8 weeks after filing the refugee travel document application. This would considerably shorten the amount of time you are required to remain in the United States.

Expedited Processing

Another potential option is to request expedited processing of your refugee travel document application. In certain cases, USCIS will grant expedited processing of a case. Here is a link to the reasons why USCIS may grant expedited processing of a case.

Some reasons USCIS may expedite a case are as follows:

• Emergency situation
• USCIS error
• Severe financial loss to person or company
• Compelling interest of USCIS
• Humanitarian reason

If you plan to request expedited processing from USCIS make sure that you have a good reason supported by evidence. Expedite requests are granted on a case by case basis and are granted at the discretion of the office leadership.

Please send us an email if you have any questions about requesting expedited processing of your case.

Applying While You Are Outside of the United States

In some cases, you may be eligible to apply for a refugee travel document while you are outside of the United States. To be eligible to apply for a refugee travel document while you are outside of the U.S. you must apply within 1 year of your last departure from the U.S. You will have to include an explanation as to why you left the U.S. without first applying for a refugee travel document. The USCIS official with jurisdiction over your case will have the discretion to approve or deny your application.

3. What to Avoid: Travel to Your Country of Claimed Persecution

As someone with refugee or asylum status in the United States, traveling back to your country of claimed prosecution can have severe consequences to your immigration status in the United States. Such travel may be seen as a demonstration that your fear of persecution from that country is not genuine. In addition, such travel may be interpreted as a demonstration that you have voluntarily availed yourself to the protection of that country.

Which respect to the country from which you are a refugee or asylee, the I-131 requires you to answer the following questions:

• Do you plan to travel to the country from which you are a refugee or asylee?
• Since you were accorded refugee or asylee status, have you ever returned to the country from which you are a refugee or asylee?

Answering yes to either of these questions requires a written explanation along with your application and can be harmful to your chances of approval for a refugee travel document.

4. Conclusion

As a refugee or asylee in the United States, you must have a refugee travel document to travel outside of the country. Leaving the United States without a refugee travel document, you may be unable to reenter, or you may face removal proceedings. For this reason, a refugee travel document is highly important. If you need assistance with your refugee travel document application, you may email me directly at [email protected] . I would be happy to help you.

• Refugee Travel Document Guide – Ashoori Law
• USCIS Expedite Criteria
• USCIS Case Tracker
• USCIS Case Check Processing Times

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Michael Ashoori, Esq.

U.s. immigration lawyer.

I’m a U.S. immigration lawyer and I help families, professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs get visas, green cards, and citizenship to the United States.

Since starting my law firm, I’ve helped hundreds of people from all over the world with their immigration needs. I’m very passionate, hard-working, and committed to my clients.

Got a question?  Send me an email.

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Temporary Protected Status

ALERT:  On Dec. 28, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California dismissed Ramos v. Nielsen , 18-cv-01554 (N.D. Cal. Dec. 28, 2023). Bhattarai v. Nielsen , 19-cv-731 (N.D. Cal. March 12, 2019) was consolidated with Ramos in August 2023.  The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations of El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan remain effective. Current TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their TPS must re-register during the re-registration period for their country’s designation. The validity of Employment Authorization Documents and other TPS-related documentation that DHS automatically extended in this  Federal Register notice continues through June 30, 2024.

ALERT:  The Department of Homeland Security extended the re-registration periods for the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations of El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan.

The re-registration period under the TPS designation of:

• El Salvador is currently open and runs through March 9, 2025;
• Haiti is currently open and runs through Aug. 3, 2024;
• Honduras is currently open and runs  through July 5, 2025;
• Nepal is currently open and runs through June 24, 2025;
• Nicaragua is currently open and runs through July 5, 2025; and
• Sudan is currently open and runs through April 19, 2025.

For more information, please see the Federal Register notice .

ALERT:  Certain TPS beneficiaries and applicants who electronically filed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, did not receive a receipt notice or their receipt notice did not include language about the 540-day automatic Employment Authorization Document (EAD) extension . On or before the week of March 13, we will send these applicants an email and/or text notification instructing them to sign into their USCIS online account and obtain a corrected, printable receipt notice. We will also send corrected paper receipt notices by mail. Please note that, if you are a TPS beneficiary and your TPS country designation is still current, you are authorized to work. However, you must obtain your corrected receipt notice to present when completing Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. If you are eligible for the 540-day automatic EAD extension, any USCIS receipt notice for your Form I-765-- together with your expired EAD-- will serve as acceptable proof of employment authorization and EAD validity during the automatic extension period.

ALERT: Beginning July 1, 2022, USCIS will issue a new travel authorization document to Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries: Form I-512T, Authorization for Travel by a Noncitizen to the United States.

Beginning July 1, 2022, USCIS will issue a new travel authorization document to Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries: Form I-512T, Authorization for Travel by a Noncitizen to the United States. We will no longer issue advance parole documents as evidence of our prior consent to a TPS beneficiary’s travel outside the United States.

If you are a TPS beneficiary with an existing, unexpired advance parole document, you may continue to use it for travel outside the United States through the period of validity printed on it.

If you are a TPS beneficiary applying for a new travel authorization document, you should continue to use Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. If you have a pending Form I-131, you do not need to file a new application.

We will continue issuing advance parole documents to noncitizens with pending applications for TPS (Form I-821).

Recent TPS Designations/Extensions:

• On April 12, 2024, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the extension and redesignation of Ethiopia for TPS for 18 months, from June 13, 2024, through Dec. 12, 2025. For additional information, please see the  TPS Ethiopia page and the Federal Registe r notice.    
• On March 22, 2024, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the extension and redesignation of Burma (Myanmar) for TPS for 18 months, from May 26, 2024, through Nov. 25, 2025. For additional information, please see the  TPS Burma (Myanmar) page and the  Federal Register notice .
• On Jan. 26, 2024, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the extension and redesignation of Syria for TPS for 18 months, from April 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025. For additional information, please see the  TPS Syria  page and the  Federal Register notice .
• On Oct. 6, 2023, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the extension and redesignation of Cameroon for TPS for 18 months, from Dec. 8, 2023, through June 7, 2025. For additional information, please see the  TPS Cameroon page and the  Federal Register notice .

The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a foreign country for TPS due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country's nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately. USCIS may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain countries (or parts of countries), who are already in the United States. Eligible individuals without nationality who last resided in the designated country may also be granted TPS.

The Secretary may designate a country for TPS due to the following temporary conditions in the country:

• Ongoing armed conflict (such as civil war)
• An environmental disaster (such as earthquake or hurricane), or an epidemic
• Other extraordinary and temporary conditions

During a designated period, individuals who are TPS beneficiaries or who are found preliminarily eligible for TPS upon initial review of their cases ( prima facie eligible):

• Are not removable from the United States
• Can obtain an employment authorization document (EAD)
• May be granted travel authorization

Once granted TPS, an individual also cannot be detained by DHS on the basis of his or her immigration status in the United States.

TPS is a temporary benefit that does not lead to lawful permanent resident status or give any other immigration status. However, registration for TPS does not prevent you from:

• Applying for nonimmigrant status
• Filing for adjustment of status based on an immigrant petition
• Applying for any other immigration benefit or protection for which you may be eligible

PLEASE NOTE: To be granted any other immigration benefit you must still meet all the eligibility requirements for that particular benefit.  An application for TPS does not affect an application for asylum or any other immigration benefit and vice versa. Denial of an application for asylum or any other immigration benefit does not affect your ability to register for TPS, although the grounds of denial of that application may also lead to denial of TPS.

Select the country link for additional specific country information.

• Afghanistan
• Burma (Myanmar)
• El Salvador
• South Sudan

To be eligible for TPS, you must:

• Be a national of a country designated for TPS, or a person without nationality who last habitually resided in the designated country;
• File during the open initial registration or re-registration period, or you meet the requirements for late initial filing during any extension of your country’s TPS designation (Late initial filers see ‘Filing Late’ section below);
• Have been continuously physically present (CPP) in the United States since the effective date of the most recent designation date of your country; and
• Have been continuously residing (CR) in the United States since the date specified for your country. (See your country’s TPS web page to the left). The law allows an exception to the continuous physical presence and continuous residence requirements for brief, casual and innocent departures from the United States. When you apply or re-register for TPS, you must inform USCIS of all absences from the United States since the CPP and CR dates. USCIS will determine whether the exception applies in your case.

You may NOT be eligible for TPS or to maintain your existing TPS if you:

• Have been convicted of any felony or two or more misdemeanors committed in the United States;
• Are found inadmissible as an immigrant under applicable grounds in INA section 212(a), including non-waivable criminal and security-related grounds;
• Are subject to any of the mandatory bars to asylum. These include, but are not limited to, participating in the persecution of another individual or engaging in or inciting terrorist activity;
• Fail to meet the continuous physical presence and continuous residence in the United States requirements;
• Fail to meet initial or late initial TPS registration requirements; or
• If granted TPS, you fail to re-register for TPS, as required, without good cause.

You must include the necessary forms, evidence, fees, or fee waiver request when filing your TPS application. Below is information about what you must include in your TPS package. Please also check your country’s specific TPS page to the left to see if there are any special filing instructions specific to your TPS-designated country.

To register or re-register for TPS you must file Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status . Eligible nationals of certain countries, or individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in those countries, can now file Form I-821 online. All applicants eligible to file for TPS under one of the current designations may file Form I-821 online.

When filing an initial TPS application or re-registering for TPS, you can also request an employment authorization document (EAD) by submitting a completed Form I-765, Request for Employment Authorization, at the time of filing Form I-821. You may also file your Form I-765 request separately at a later date. Filing Form I-821 with Form I-765 may help you receive your EAD more promptly if you are eligible. You may also file Form I-765 online if filing concurrently with Form I-821 online.

When you apply, if you are aware that a relevant ground of inadmissibility applies to you and you need a waiver to obtain TPS, please include a  Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility , with your TPS application package. However, you do not need to file a new Form I-601 for an incident that USCIS has already waived with a prior TPS application. USCIS may grant a waiver of certain inadmissibility grounds for humanitarian purposes, to assure family unity, or when it is in the public interest.

These forms are free and available on the forms section of the USCIS website at:  www.uscis.gov/forms .

When filing an initial TPS application, you must submit:

• Identity and Nationality Evidence : to demonstrate your identity and that you are a national of a country designated for TPS (or that you have no nationality and you last habitually resided in a country designated for TPS).
• Date of Entry Evidence : to demonstrate when you entered the United States.
• Continuous Residence (CR) Evidence : to demonstrate that you have been in the United States since the CR date specified for your country (see your country’s TPS web page to the left).

Any document that is not in English must be accompanied by a complete English translation. The translator must certify that:

• He or she is competent both in English and the foreign language used in the original document; and
• The translation is true and correct to the best of his or her ability, knowledge, and belief.

Identity and Nationality Evidence We encourage you to submit primary evidence (see below), if available. If USCIS does not find  the document(s) you submit with your application to be sufficient, we will send you a request for additional evidence. If you cannot submit primary evidence of your identity and nationality, you may submit the secondary evidence listed below with your application.

The following table explains the different types of evidence you can provide.

You may also provide any other document or information that you believe helps prove your nationality.

PLEASE NOTE: Birth in a TPS-designated country does not always mean you are a national of that country. Please see your TPS-designated country’s nationality laws for further information.

Date of Entry Evidence

• A copy of your passport;
• I-94 Arrival/Departure Record; or
• Copies of documents specified in the “Continuous Residence (CR) Evidence” section below.

Continuous Residence (CR) Evidence

• Employment records;
• Rent receipts, utility bills, receipts or letters from companies;
• School records from the schools that you or your children have attended in the U.S.;
• Hospital or medical records concerning treatment or hospitalization of you or your children; or
• Attestations by church, union or other organization officials who know you and where you have been residing.

Please see  Form I-821 instructions  for more details on acceptable evidence.

There is a fee for Form I-821 if you are registering for TPS for the first time. There is no fee for Form I-821 if you are re-registering for TPS.

Other related fees vary for initial registrations and re-registrations depending on:

• If you want an EAD; and
• If you need to request a waiver of grounds of inadmissibility.

Please review the  form instructions  carefully before applying.  Read the Filing Fee and Special Instructions sections on the  Form I-821  web page. These sections explain what fees to pay. Refer to the chart under Special Instructions for fee information. If you do not pay the proper fees (or submit a proper fee waiver request), your application will be rejected. You can also find the filing fees for TPS related forms on our Fee Schedule page.

If you cannot afford the costs associated with the TPS filing, please make sure to include a fee waiver request on Form I-912, Application for Fee Waiver  (or other written request). For more information about filing a fee waiver request, visit the webpages on Form I-912 and on Additional Information on Filing a Fee Waiver .

If you are filing an initial application and USCIS denies your fee waiver request, you may re-file and pay the correct fees either before the registration deadline  or  within 45 days of the date on the fee waiver denial notice, whichever is later.

If you are filing a re-registration application and USCIS denies your fee waiver request on or before the re-registration deadline, we recommend that you re-file and pay the correct fees before the re-registration deadline. If you are unable to file before the re-registration deadline, you may still re-file after the deadline and this will be reviewed under good cause for late re-registration.

For information about when and where you must file your TPS application, please see the country specific pages to the left.

Step 1: File Your Application Once you have prepared your TPS package with the forms, evidence and filing fees (or request for a fee waiver), you will need to send it to the address indicated on your TPS country page to the left. Please make sure you sign your application and include the correct fee amount (or fee waiver request). These are the two of the most common mistakes USCIS receives on TPS applications.  Please look above at the fee chart to see what fees you must pay (a properly documented fee waiver request may be submitted). If you do not pay the proper fees (or submit a proper fee waiver request), your application will be rejected.

Step 2: USCIS Receives Your Application When USCIS receives your application, we will review it for completeness and for the proper fees or a properly documented fee waiver request. If your case meets the basic acceptance criteria, your application will be entered into our system and we will send you a receipt notice. At the top of this notice you will find a receipt number which can be used to check the status of your case online.

If you do not receive your receipt notice within three weeks of filing, you can call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 to request assistance. If your application is rejected at the initial review stage, you may re-file within the registration period after correcting the problems described in the USCIS notification.

If your application was rejected because we determined you were not eligible for a fee waiver, you may submit a new TPS package. Go to the ‘Fee Waiver’ section above for more information.

Step 3: USCIS Contacts You If USCIS needs to collect your photograph, signature, and/or fingerprints (these are called biometrics), USCIS will send you an appointment notice to have your biometrics captured at an Application Support Center ( ASC ). Every TPS applicant over 14 years old must have their biometrics collected. Biometrics are required for identity verification, background checks and the production of an EAD, if one has been requested.

In certain situations, such as when it’s impossible to take a fingerprint, USCIS can waive the collection of biometrics. In some cases, we may be able to reuse the biometrics previously collected in association with your previous TPS application. Even if you do not need to attend an ASC appointment, you still need to pay the biometrics fee (if required) to help cover costs associated with reusing your biometrics.

Step 4: Go to the ASC When you report to an ASC, you must bring:

• Evidence of nationality and identity with a photograph of you, such as a passport
• Your receipt notice
• Your ASC appointment notice
• Your current EAD, if you already have one

If you cannot make your scheduled appointment, you may reschedule. To reschedule an ASC appointment, make a copy of your appointment notice to retain for your records, then mail the original notice with your rescheduling request to the ASC address listed on the notice. You should submit your request for rescheduling as soon as you know you have an unavoidable conflict on your scheduled ASC date. A new appointment notice will be sent to you by mail. Please note that rescheduling a biometrics appointment may cause the adjudication of your application to be delayed.

If you need an accommodation due to a disability that affects your ability to go to the ASC, please go to the  Disability Accommodations for the Public webpage for more information.

WARNING: If you fail to appear for your ASC appointment without rescheduling, or if you repeatedly miss scheduled ASC appointments, your TPS application could be denied for abandonment.

If there is an emergency need for you to travel abroad for humanitarian reasons, you may request expedited processing on your advance parole application (Form I-131) after you have appeared at an ASC  for your biometrics appointment. Please see the travel section below for more information.

Step 5: USCIS Determines Work Eligibility If you are not seeking an employment authorization document (EAD), skip to Step 6.

USCIS makes every effort to avoid backlogs at this step, but we urge you to remember that USCIS may experience a higher volume of applications in the first few months of a registration period.

Step 6: USCIS Adjudicates the Application During this phase, we may ask you for additional documents to establish your eligibility for TPS. If you receive a request for evidence (RFE) or a notice of intent to deny, it is extremely important that you respond immediately to avoid processing delays and possible denial for failure to timely respond. Upon completion of your case, USCIS will notify you if your request for TPS is granted or denied. If one of the waivable grounds of inadmissibility applies to you, USCIS will give you an opportunity to submit a Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility if you did not include this with your TPS package. Please submit this form within the time frame specified in the USCIS notice, or your case will be denied.

Step 7: USCIS Approves or Denies the Application

Once you are granted TPS, you must re-register during each re-registration period to maintain TPS benefits. This applies to all TPS beneficiaries, including those who were initially granted by USCIS, an Immigration Judge, or the BIA. Follow the instructions above to apply for re-registration.

Sometimes DHS must issue a blanket automatic extension of the expiring EADs for TPS beneficiaries of a specific country in order to allow time for EADs with new validity dates to be issued. If your country’s EADs have been automatically extended, it will be indicated on your country specific pages to the left.

Late Re-Registration for TPS USCIS may accept a late re-registration application if you have good cause for filing after the end of the re-registration period of your country. You must submit a letter that explains your reason for filing late with your re-registration application. If you file your TPS re-registration application late, processing may be delayed and can lead to gaps in your work authorization.

Late Initial Filing for TPS You can apply for TPS for the first time during an extension of your country’s TPS designation period. If you qualify to file your initial TPS application late, you must still independently meet all the TPS eligibility requirements listed in the Eligibility section above.

To qualify to file your initial TPS application late, you must meet at least one of the late initial filing conditions below:

• You were a nonimmigrant, were granted voluntary departure status, or any relief from removal
• You had an application for change of status, adjustment of status, asylum, voluntary departure, or any relief from removal which was pending or subject to further review or appeal
• You were a parolee or had a pending request for re-parole
• You are a spouse of an individual who is currently eligible for TPS
• During either the initial registration period of your country’s designation or during any subsequent initial registration period if your country was re-designated you were a child of an individual who is currently eligible for TPS. There is no time limitation on filing if you meet this condition. So if your parent is currently eligible for TPS and you were his or her child (unmarried and under 21 years old) at any time during a TPS initial registration period for your country, you may still be eligible for late initial filing even if you are now over 21 years old or married. You may file during an extension of your TPS designated country.

Please check your country-specific web page for the dates of the initial registration period or periods that apply for late initial filing.

PLEASE NOTE: You cannot obtain TPS as a derivative because your parent or child has TPS.

If you have TPS and wish to travel outside the United States, you must apply for travel authorization. If we approve your request, we will issue you a Form I-512T, Authorization for Travel by a Noncitizen to the United States, to serve as evidence of DHS’s prior consent to your travel outside the United States. If a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer determines that you are eligible, they will admit you into TPS upon your return.

If we are still adjudicating your application for TPS, and you wish to travel outside the United States, you must apply for travel authorization. If we approve your request for travel authorization, we will issue you a Form I-512L, Advance Parole Document (APD), to serve as evidence of DHS’s prior consent to your travel outside the United States.

To apply for TPS travel authorization or advance parole, you must file  Form I-131, Application for Travel Document  and select type 1.d in Part 2 Application Type. If you are filing Form I-131 together with Form I-821, send your forms to the address listed for your country. (Click on “Temporary Protected Status” on the menu above left to find a list of countries designated for TPS. Then click on the name of your country.) If you are filing Form I-131 separately based on a pending or approved Form I-821, check the  Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-131  page.

If you have TPS and leave the United States without first obtaining TPS travel authorization, you may lose TPS and you may not be able to reenter the United States. If you have a pending TPS application and leave the United States without first obtaining advance parole, we may deny your application for TPS, and you may not be able to reenter the United States.

If we are still adjudicating your TPS application, you may miss important USCIS notices, such as Requests for Additional Evidence, while you are outside the United States. If you do not respond to these requests, we may deny your application.

We encourage you to read and understand the travel warning on Form I-131 before you request TPS travel authorization or advance parole. You may want to seek legal advice before you request TPS travel authorization or advance parole for travel.

If your address changes after you file your application, you must notify USCIS immediately. For information about how to notify USCIS go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange .

Step 1: If an Immigration Judge (IJ) or the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) granted you TPS, you must provide USCIS with proof of the TPS grant (such as a final order from the IJ or final decision from the BIA) when you file for your first TPS benefit (such as an EAD, travel authorization, or with your first TPS re-registration application filed with USCIS). You should also submit a copy of the I-821 TPS application that the IJ or the BIA approved.

Step 2: See the table below for filing information based on the first TPS benefit you are requesting after an IJ or BIA granted you TPS.

You can find the filing fees for Forms I-821, I-765 and I-131 by visiting our Fee Schedule page.

If USCIS denies your application, you will be informed in the denial notice whether you have 30 days to appeal to the USCIS Administrative Appeals Office (AAO). If you do not have the right to appeal because you were placed in removal proceedings when your TPS application was denied by USCIS, you can request that the immigration judge adjudicate your TPS application.

You may also choose to file a motion to reconsider with the Service Center that adjudicated your TPS application by submitting:

• Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion
• The correct filing fee, see form instructions (PDF, 392.95 KB) . Or Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver (or written request) if you are unable to pay

If USCIS denies your TPS application, we recommend that you consult with an accredited legal representative to determine whether you should pursue an appeal or motion. If you have been placed in removal proceedings, you may request that the immigration judge adjudicate your TPS application. If an immigration judge denies your request for TPS, you may file an appeal with the BIA.

• Sierra Leone

You might be eligible for other immigration options listed on the Explore My Options page.

To apply for a lawful permanent status (Green Card), you must be eligible under one of the categories listed on the Green Card Eligibility Categories page. Once you find the category that may fit your situation, click on the link provided to get information on eligibility requirements, how to apply, and whether your family members can also apply with you.

Note on Seeking Asylum : Being granted and maintaining TPS status until a reasonable period before the filing of the asylum application is considered an extraordinary circumstance for the purposes of the one year filing deadline. In other words, having TPS status “stops the clock” on the requirement to file for asylum within one year of arriving in the United States, if the one-year clock has not already expired. See 8 CFR 208.4(a)(5)(iv).

Please be aware that some  unauthorized practitioners  may try to take advantage of you by claiming they can file TPS forms. These same individuals may ask that you pay them to file such forms. We want to ensure that all potential TPS applicants know how to obtain legitimate, accurate legal advice and assistance. A list of accredited representatives and free or low-cost legal providers is available on the USCIS website on the  finding legal advice  web page.

We don’t want you to become a victim of an immigration scam. If you need legal advice on immigration matters, make sure the person helping you is authorized to give legal advice. Only an attorney or an accredited representative working for a Department of Justice (DOJ) recognized organization can give you legal advice. Visit the Avoid Scams page for information and resources.

More Information

• Update on Bhattarai v. Nielsen
• भट्टराइ बिरुद्द नेल्सन मुद्दाबारे पछिल्लो जानकारी (PDF, 1.44 MB)
• Dènye Nouvèl sou Plent Ramos Kont Nielsen an (PDF, 379.44 KB)
• تحديث بشأن راموس ضد نيلسين (PDF, 480.83 KB)
• Peyi ki Kalifye pou Pwogram TPS lan (Zafè Pwoteksyon Pwovizwa): Ayiti
• I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status
• I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
• I-131, Application for Travel Document
• I-912, Request for Fee Waiver
• I-601, Application for Waiver of Ground of Inadmissibility
• In-Country Refugee/Parole Processing for Central American Minors
• My Case Status
• Additional Information on Filing a Fee Waiver
• TPS Avoid Scams Flier (PDF, 34.69 KB)

Non-USCIS Links

• Department of Justice, Immigrant and Employee Rights Section

February 2024 Timeline: Marriage Green Card Application

Updated on January 19, 2024

A spouse green card application currently takes between 10 months and 66 months, depending on your type of application. To see all the steps involved in the application process , and how long it takes, select the timeline applicable to your case:

I'm married to a:

and I live:

For applicants who are married to a U.S. citizen and currently live in the U.S, you will apply through a USCIS procedure called "Concurrent Filing". Receiving a green card currently takes:

11 – 14 Months

2.5 – 3 years, 14 – 18 months, 22 – 28 months.

Here is the application timeline:

Submit All Application Materials in One Package

The sponsor and applicant submit the following forms, along with supporting documents:

• Form I-130 — Petition for Alien Relatives
• Form I-130A — Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary
• Form I-485 — Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
• Form I-864 — Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA
• Form I-765 — Application for Employment Authorization (optional)
• Form I-131 — Application for Travel Document (optional)
• G-1145 — e-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (optional)
• Form I-944 — Declaration of Self Sufficiency (A new form that came into effect on February 24, 2020 due to USCIS' new Public Charge Rule) [💡: This form is no longer needed due to the cancellation of the Trump-era Public Charge rule.]

Did You Know?

You can complete application forms and collect supporting documents with easy step-by-step personalized instructions, using the GreenCardHero guided software. Try it for free!

July 31, 2020 Update

Great news – A U.S. District Court has temporarily blocked USCIS from implementing the new Public Charge Rule. So during a limited period of time starting from now, applicants do not need to submit Form I-944 with their green card application! 😇🙌🎉 Note that this temporary injunction could end at anytime, as USCIS appeals this court decision. The current injunction may not last for very long.

Since I-944 is a very complicated form to complete, and the rules USCIS uses to judge it are quite strict, we strongly encourage applicants to submit your applications while this temporary injunction is still in place, so you can avoid dealing with the Form I-944.

August 1, 2020 Update

USCIS has announced that it will raise the green card application fees significantly starting Oct 2, 2020 (use the application postmark date). The total fees will go up from the current $1,760 to $2,830, a net increase of $1,070, almost doubling the current cost.

Because it will be much more expensive to apply after the fee increase, we suggest applying soon while the old fee is still in effect.

December 23, 2022 Update

Starting December 23, 2022, USCIS will implement the new Biden-era Public Charge rule and stop accepting previous editions of Form I-485. Instead, it will switch to a new Form I-485, which will contain additional questions compared to the previous editions. So please double check that your Form I-485 edition is correct when submitting your application.

Sept 30, 2020 Update

Great news – A U.S. District Court has temporarily blocked USCIS from increasing application fees (the higher fees were originally scheduled to start on Oct 2, 2020). So during a limited period of time starting from now, USCIS will only charge the lower old fees! 😇🙌🎉 Note that this temporary injunction could end at anytime, as USCIS appeals this court decision. The current injunction may not last for very long.

Once the injunction period ends, the application fees will go up from the current $1,760 to $2,830, a net increase of $1,070, almost doubling the current cost. Because it will be much more expensive to apply after the fee increase, we suggest applying soon while the old fee is still in effect.

Around 2 Weeks Later

USCIS Receipt Notice (Form I-797) Arrives

The receipt notice confirms that USCIS has received your application. It contains a set of case numbers, which you can use to track your case status with the USCIS Case Status Checker .

Around 3-5 Weeks after Filing

Biometrics Appointment Notice Arrives for the Applicant

The biometrics services appointment is a quick, low stress procedure where the USCIS takes the applicant's fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature. This helps USCIS confirm the applicant's identity and run required background and security checks. Source

The appointment will be at a local USCIS Application Support Center (ASC). The applicant's appointment notice will include the date, time and location for the appointment. Source

Around 4-6 Weeks after Filing

The Applicant Goes to the Biometrics Appointment

Attend the scheduled biometrics services appointment. You can learn more about what it's like on the USCIS website .

Around 5.5-7.5 Months after Filing

Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card Arrives for the Applicant

If the applicant filled out the optional forms for employment and travel authorization (Forms I-765 and I-131), the applicant will receive an approval notice and an EAD card in the mail. With an EAD card, the applicant can work in the U.S. and/or travel outside the U.S. while the application is pending.

Around 4-10 Months after Filing

Interview Notice Arrives for the Sponsor and Applicant

USCIS will schedule an in-person interview and mail an interview notice. Both the applicant and the sponsor need to attend. The interview notice will contain instructions on what supporting documents to bring to the interview.

Around 1-2 Months after Receiving Interview Notice

The Sponsor and Applicant Go to Green Card Interview

The day is finally here! Put on your cleanest shirts and arrive at the interview at the scheduled date and time. Both the applicant and the sponsor are required to attend.

The interview is an opportunity for USCIS to verify the information provided in your application, to discover new information, and to determine the credibility of the applicant. Source -->

During the interview, a USCIS officer will ask the applicant a series of questions to confirm that the applicant:

• Never committed a crime
• Hasn't defrauded the U.S. government
• Hasn't been deported
• Has no serious diseases
• The marriage is real
• Has financial support

Read our guide on how to prepare and what to expect at the interview .

Around 1-2 Months after Completing Interview

Green Card Arrives in the Mail! 🎉

Congratulations! You have made it!

August 06, 2020 Update

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, USCIS offices were closed for 2.5 months between March and June. Many USCIS agents are required to work from home, and applicants with fever and flu symptoms are required to reschedule their USCIS appointments.

Since these changes may impact USCIS' case processing speed, we suggest you consider submitting your application sooner rather than later.

Application Part One: The Sponsor Submits Immigrant Petition Forms and Documents to USCIS

The sponsor needs to submit two forms, along with supporting documents Source

• I-130 — Petition for Alien Relative , to be completed by the sponsor. (The US government uses the term "alien" 👽 to refer to foreigners. This can get truly confusing when real aliens from Mars arrive and start filing U.S. government paperwork).
• I-130A — Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary , to be completed by the applicant.

USCIS Receipt Notice Arrives

The Receipt Notice confirms that USCIS has received your immigrant petition. It contains your case number, which you can use to track your case status with the USCIS Case Status Checker .

Around 7-10 Months Later

USCIS Notice of Approval Arrives 😀

Your immigrant petition has been approved and it's time for Application Part Two — Immigrant Visa Application!

Around 3 Weeks after USCIS Notice of Approval

Welcome Letter from NVC Arrives

The Welcome letter from National Visa Center contains your unique case number and invoice ID number. You can now start Application Part Two — Immigrant Visa Application. Source

You will need these numbers for filing future applications, so make sure to save the numbers and only share them with people you trust. Source

Application Part Two (Immigrant Visa Application) — Item 1 of 3: The Applicant Submits Form DS-261

Form DS-261 — Choice of Address and Agent, is a simple form you use to appoint a person (called an "agent") who will receive NVC communication. You can appoint yourself as this agent, or appoint any other person you trust. Source

Don't appoint any actual extraterrestrials 👽, though.

You can fill out and submit Form DS-261 using an online tool provided by NVC called the Consular Electronic Application Center , or CEAC. To log into CEAC, use the unique case number and invoice ID number you received in the Welcome Letter. Then follow the instructions on CEAC for DS-261. Source

Around 3 Weeks Later

Receipt Notice for DS-261 Arrives

Immigrant Visa Application — Item 1 of 2: The Applicant Pays Processing Fees

NVC charges two processing fees. They can be paid online through CEAC :

• Immigrant Visa Application Processing Fee ($325) Source
• Affidavit of Support Fee ($120)