The green card application process is complex, with lots of paperwork and specific instructions to follow. Without an attorney to catch errors, mistakes can easily delay or completely ruin an application. However, with diligence and attention to detail, you can avoid many common mistakes applicants make when applying on their own. This will give you the best possible chance to get your application approved.
Do Your Research
Before beginning your application, thoroughly research all eligibility requirements for the specific green card category under which you plan to apply. Make sure you meet age, relationship, employment, investment, and other qualifications.
Review current immigration laws as well to confirm your particular situation applies. Most importantly, check if you are eligible to apply at this time based on backlogs and priority dates for your country and category.
Read the Instructions Carefully
Once you begin your application, carefully read all instructions for each form. Highlight or mark any items you have questions about. Make certain you understand what specific supporting documents you need to include with your application.
Make a checklist to track forms and required evidence. Read instructions on the USCIS website for how documents should be formatted.
Complete All Fields Accurately
Carefully complete all sections of each form in your green card application. If a field does not apply, write N/A. Confirm all personal information, including your full legal name, is written exactly as it appears on official documents. Also, double-check that A-numbers, receipt numbers, dates, and all numerical information are accurate. And make copies in case forms get lost.
Translate Documents Correctly
Any document not originally in English must be accompanied by an accurate certified translation. When getting documents translated, be sure to use a reputable translation service and carefully double-check that the translation precisely matches the original document.
Before submitting your translations, verify that they are properly certified by the translator. Certified translations must include a statement from the translator attesting to the accuracy of the translation, as well as the translator’s full name and signature. Confirm your translations meet these requirements to avoid application delays or rejections.
Meet Financial Requirements
If required, make sure affidavits of support and other financial documents meet eligibility thresholds for income and assets. When reviewing financial requirements, first observe minimum income rules based on household size.
Then, if the original petitioner does not meet the requirements alone based on their household size, have a joint sponsor ready to combine incomes. Finally, carefully verify that all financial evidence, including tax returns and bank statements, meets the latest USCIS documentation standards.
Maintain Valid Immigration Status
If applying from within the U.S., you must confirm your underlying visa or lawful status, such as H-1B or L-1, is valid not only at the time of filing, but also remains valid while your green card application is pending.
Allowing gaps in your lawful immigration status can place pending green card applications in jeopardy. Therefore, closely manage deadlines for renewing underlying work visas or maintaining other lawful statuses throughout the application process.
Gather Sufficient Evidence
USCIS scrutinizes applications closely for fraud. You will need to provide a lot of supporting materials that go above and beyond minimum requirements to confirm your eligibility. This includes compiling thorough proof of qualifying relationships as well as extensive employment records or business documentation.
In addition, letters from employers and sworn affidavits from third parties can further strengthen your case. The goal is to create a complete picture through detailed evidence from multiple sources.
Review Everything Before Submission
Before submitting your green card application to USCIS, carefully review the entire completed application package. Make sure you sign and date all the forms properly. Additionally, confirm that all required documents, photos, and fees are included.
Organize materials logically and in a way that is easy to follow so nothing important is overlooked during the official review. Also, make copies and save one for your personal records in case more evidence is requested later.
Respond Promptly to Requests
After submitting your application, be prepared to promptly respond to any USCIS requests for additional evidence (RFEs). You must also respond as quickly as possible to other notices from USCIS. Responding quickly can help prevent delays that negatively impact processing.
Normally, you will have 30-90 days to provide additional materials for an RFE. When providing more documents or clarifying details, carefully review and follow all instructions provided in an RFE or other USCIS notice. Take great care to provide any supplemental information you’ve been asked for and answer all questions completely.
Attend Interviews Prepared
Arrive early at your biometrics or green card interview prepared with files of originals and copies of all the documentation you already provided in your application. Expect to answer detailed questions about eligibility and provide updates on employment, living arrangements, or relationships as applicable.
Research common interview questions for your category online or by talking to USCIS directly to know what to expect. Take notes during your interview so that you can refer back to the experience accurately if you choose to speak with an attorney after the fact to better understand what to do next.
Stay Informed on Policy Changes
Immigration laws, processing times, visa backlogs, and other policies constantly change. It is important to stay up-to-date on any developments that may affect your application.
After filing, be sure to revisit all instructions and forms to catch any updates to rules or policies. You can also sign up for USCIS alerts on your specific case and rule changes that impact all applicants.
Pride Immigration Can Help After Denials or Appeals
While avoiding common mistakes can help your chances for green card approval, legal complexities mean applications without representation still face considerable risk of denial.
If your application does get a denial, there’s no need to lose hope. Pride Immigration’s experienced team is able to help you determine if an appeal makes sense or if re-filing from scratch is a better option. Our attorneys specialize in handling complicated employment-based green card applications and appeals. Contact us today at (703) 594-4040 or online to learn how we can help you.
Beeraj Patel, Esq.
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