USCIS Forms

Most Common USCIS Immigration Forms

If you don’t know the form name or get a number wrong, it can be hard to find the immigration form you need. Here we’ve collected the most used citizenship and immigration forms 

1. Form I-485, also known as the "Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status," serves the primary purposes of allowing eligible foreign nationals in the United States to apply for a green card (lawful permanent resident status) through various immigration pathways, including family-sponsored, employment-based, refugee/asylee adjustment, diversity visa lottery winners, and other special categories. It is the key form used to change an individual's immigration status from a temporary visa holder to a permanent resident. 

2. Form N-400, known as the "Application for Naturalization," serves the primary purpose of applying for U.S. citizenship. U.S. permanent residents (green card holders) use this form to request naturalization and become full-fledged citizens of the United States. It involves demonstrating eligibility based on factors such as residency, good moral character, English language proficiency, and knowledge of U.S. government and history.

3. Form N-600, officially known as the "Application for Certificate of Citizenship," serves the primary purpose of obtaining a Certificate of Citizenship from the U.S. government. This form is typically used by individuals who acquired or derived U.S. citizenship through their parents, but their citizenship was not automatically recognized or documented. It is also used for adopted children of U.S. citizens born abroad, foreign-born children of U.S. citizens, and certain other specific cases to establish and document their U.S. citizenship status.

4. Form I-130, officially known as the "Petition for Alien Relative," is used by U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to establish the qualifying familial relationship with a foreign relative who wishes to immigrate to the United States. Its primary purpose is to sponsor and petition for eligible family members, such as spouses, children, parents, and siblings, for the purpose of obtaining a family-based immigrant visa or green card, thus allowing them to join or reunite with their U.S. citizen or permanent resident family member in the United States.

5. Form I-864, Affidavit of Support: Form I-864 is required for U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are sponsoring an immigrant family member to ensure they won't become a public charge. This form is used to demonstrate the sponsor's financial capability and commitment to financially support the sponsored immigrant at or above the minimum income requirements.

6. Form AR-11, Alien's Change of Address Card: Form AR-11 is used by non-U.S. citizens (including green card holders and visa holders) to notify the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of any change in their address within ten days of moving to a new residence. It is essential to ensure that immigration authorities have up-to-date contact information.

7. Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card: Form I-90 is used by green card holders to apply for a replacement or renewal of their Permanent Resident Card (green card) if it has been lost, stolen, damaged, or if information on the card has changed.

8. Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e): Form I-129F is filed by U.S. citizens who are engaged to a foreign national living outside the United States. It's the first step in the K-1 fiancé(e) visa process and is used to petition for the foreign fiancé(e) to enter the U.S. for the purpose of marriage.

9. Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization: Form I-765 is used by eligible non-U.S. citizens who are in the United States and wish to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or work permit. It allows them to legally work in the U.S. for a specific period, often related to their immigration status.

10. Form I-131, Application for Travel Document: Form I-131 is used by individuals who need to apply for a travel document, such as a Reentry Permit or Advance Parole, to allow them to re-enter the U.S. after traveling abroad without abandoning their pending immigration status or green card.

11. Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence: Form I-751 is filed by conditional green card holders who obtained their green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. It's used to request the removal of the conditions on their green card to establish their eligibility for a 10-year permanent green card.