Common U.S. immigration forms at a glance
U.S. immigration involves many forms, and forms with similar numbers can serve completely different purposes, such as the I-130 and I-130A, or the I-601 and I-601A. This page lists common forms by category, briefly explains what each form is for and who usually files it, and links to the official page. Where a form number is linked, click it for a detailed guide to that form.
Before you use it, note:
- Always download the current edition from the official website. USCIS and other agencies update form editions (edition date) from time to time, and filing an outdated edition can lead to rejection. The official form page states which editions are currently accepted.
- The form instructions matter just as much. Every form comes with instructions that explain who it applies to, the evidence to include, and where to file.
- This page does not list fees. Government filing fees change; check each form's official page or How to check fees and processing times.
- This page is only a general overview; each form's eligibility conditions and exceptions are more complex than the descriptions in these tables.
1. Family-based immigration
| Form | Purpose | Who files | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-130 | Petition for a relative, establishing a qualifying family relationship between the petitioner and the beneficiary | A U.S. citizen or green card holder (filing for a relative) | USCIS |
| I-130A | Supplemental information for a spouse beneficiary, filed together with an I-130 for a spouse | Filed with the I-130, with the beneficiary spouse's information | USCIS |
| I-129F | Petition for a K-1 visa for a foreign fiancé(e) (also used in some K-3 situations) | A U.S. citizen | USCIS |
| I-864 | Affidavit of support, in which the sponsor commits to financially supporting the immigrant | The family-based petitioner (sponsor); a joint sponsor may be added if income is insufficient | USCIS |
| I-751 | Removes conditions on a marriage-based conditional green card to obtain a 10-year green card; filed within the 90 days before the two-year green card expires | The conditional resident (generally filed jointly with the spouse; a waiver of the joint filing requirement is available in certain situations) | USCIS |
For the overall family-based process, see the family-based immigration guide.
2. Employment-based and investment immigration
| Form | Purpose | Who files | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETA-9089 | PERM permanent labor certification application, filed online through the Department of Labor's FLAG system | The U.S. employer | U.S. Department of Labor FLAG |
| I-140 | Immigrant petition for alien workers (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3) | The U.S. employer; for EB-1A and NIW, the applicant can file on his or her own behalf | USCIS |
| I-526E | Petition for EB-5 investors investing through a regional center (direct investors use the I-526) | The EB-5 investor | USCIS |
| I-829 | Petition by an EB-5 investor to remove conditions on the green card | The EB-5 investor holding a conditional green card | USCIS |
| I-485 Supplement J | Confirms a bona fide job offer when adjusting status in an employment-based case, or a job change under INA 204(j) (job portability) | The I-485 applicant, with the relevant part signed by the new, former or current employer | USCIS |
Related reading: PERM guide, EB-5 guide, EB-1A vs. NIW.
3. Green card applications and related filings
| Form | Purpose | Who files | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-485 | Application to adjust status to permanent resident (green card) from inside the U.S. | Eligible applicants who are inside the U.S. | USCIS |
| I-765 | Application for employment authorization (EAD), used for many status categories | Eligible applicants, often filed together with the I-485 | USCIS |
| I-131 | Application for travel documents, including reentry permits, refugee travel documents and Advance Parole | Green card holders, applicants with a pending I-485, and others | USCIS |
| I-693 | Immigration medical examination and vaccination record | Completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon; the applicant submits it as currently required | USCIS |
| I-824 | Request for action on an approved application, for example notifying a consulate to process a following-to-join visa or issuing a duplicate approval notice | An applicant whose original application was approved | USCIS |
Related reading: I-485 adjustment of status guide, I-485 document checklist, Immigration medical exam, Reentry permit guide.
4. Nonimmigrant status
| Form | Purpose | Who files | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-129 | Nonimmigrant worker petitions, such as H-1B, L-1 and O-1, and in-country TN and E extensions or changes of status | The U.S. employer (an O-1 can also be filed by an agent; in-country E filings can be made by eligible applicants) | USCIS |
| I-539 | Extension of stay or change of nonimmigrant status, such as a B-2 extension or H-4 / L-2 dependent status | The nonimmigrant status holder | USCIS |
| I-907 | Request for Premium Processing, available only for certain forms and categories | The filer of the underlying petition or application | USCIS |
| I-983 | STEM OPT training plan | Completed jointly by the F-1 student and the employer, and submitted to the school's Designated School Official (DSO) | ICE SEVP (Study in the States) |
| I-20 | Certificate of eligibility for F-1 / M-1 students, used to apply for a student visa and to enter the U.S. | Issued to the student by the DSO of a SEVP-certified school | ICE SEVP (Study in the States) |
| DS-160 | Online nonimmigrant visa application, completed before applying for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate | The visa applicant | U.S. Department of State CEAC |
Related reading: H-1B guide, F-1 and OPT guide, B-1/B-2 guide.
5. Visas and consular processing
| Form | Purpose | Who files | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|
| DS-260 | Online immigrant visa application, completed when obtaining a green card from abroad through a U.S. embassy or consulate | Immigrant visa applicants (including accompanying family members, one per person) | U.S. Department of State |
| DS-117 | Application to determine returning resident status (the first step toward an SB-1 returning resident visa) | Green card holders who stayed abroad for more than one year or beyond the validity of their reentry permit and could not return on time for reasons beyond their control | U.S. Department of State |
Related reading: What green card holders should know before traveling abroad.
6. Naturalization and citizenship
| Form | Purpose | Who files | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|
| N-400 | Application for naturalization | Eligible green card holders | USCIS |
| N-600 | Application for a certificate of citizenship, proving U.S. citizenship acquired by operation of law | People who acquired U.S. citizenship at birth or through a parent's naturalization by operation of law | USCIS |
| N-470 | Application to preserve residence for naturalization purposes, for people working abroad for certain U.S. government agencies, U.S. companies and others | Eligible green card holders; must be filed before departure or within the time allowed by the rules | USCIS |
| N-648 | Medical certification for disability exceptions to the naturalization English and civics tests | Completed by a licensed medical professional (medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy or clinical psychologist); submitted with the N-400 or at the interview | USCIS |
| N-336 | Request for an administrative review hearing after a naturalization application is denied | An applicant whose naturalization application was denied | USCIS |
Related reading: N-400 naturalization requirements.
7. Other common forms
| Form | Purpose | Who files | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-90 | Renewal or replacement of a green card (expired, lost, damaged, incorrect information, etc.) | Permanent residents | USCIS |
| I-290B | Appeal or motion (to reopen or reconsider) of a USCIS decision | The applicant affected by the unfavorable decision, or the applicant's attorney; not available for every decision | USCIS |
| I-601 | Application for waiver of grounds of inadmissibility | Applicants found to have a waivable ground of inadmissibility | USCIS |
| I-601A | Provisional unlawful presence waiver, applied for inside the U.S. before leaving for the consular interview | Eligible immigrant visa applicants who are inside the U.S. | USCIS |
| I-212 | Application for permission to reapply for admission after deportation or removal | Applicants who were previously deported or removed | USCIS |
| G-28 | Notice of entry of appearance as attorney or accredited representative, showing who represents the case | Signed jointly by the attorney or accredited representative and the applicant | USCIS |
| G-1145 | Request for e-mail or text message notification when the application is accepted | Applicants filing on paper (optional) | USCIS |
| G-639 | Request for immigration records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). USCIS encourages filing through its online FOIA system; using the paper form is not required | The person or an authorized representative | USCIS |
| AR-11 | Change of address report. Most non-U.S. citizens must report within 10 days of moving | Non-U.S. citizens (can be done online) | USCIS |
| I-912 | Request for fee waiver, available only for certain forms and eligible applicants | Eligible applicants | USCIS |
If you receive a request for evidence or a denial, see What to do when you receive an RFE.
Frequently asked questions
Can I file forms online?
Some USCIS forms can be filed online, such as the I-130, I-765, I-90 and N-400 in some situations; other forms still have to be filed on paper. Which forms and which applicant categories can be filed online is governed by the current instructions on the USCIS website. The DS-160 and DS-260 can only be completed online.
What if my form edition is out of date?
Each USCIS form page states the edition date currently accepted, and sometimes the last date an older edition may be used. After downloading, check the edition date in the form's footer, and do not use an old copy you saved earlier.
Can I fill out the forms in Chinese?
No. Immigration forms must be completed in English, and foreign-language documents must be accompanied by a complete English translation and a translator's certification. See Translation requirements.
What if I'm not sure which form to use?
The same goal can often be reached by more than one path, each using a different combination of forms, for example adjustment of status inside the U.S. versus consular processing abroad. Using the wrong form can lead to rejection, denial or a missed deadline. If you're not sure, consult an attorney first.
Not sure which forms your situation calls for, or in what order to file them? Book an attorney assessment.
This article is general information and is not legal advice. Form editions, filing methods and eligibility conditions may change; rely on what each official agency currently publishes.