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Most Frequently Asked
Questions and Answers
Question #1:
Who can apply for legal permanent residence ( green card)?
Answer: You can become a
permanent resident:
- Based upon employment (consult
your employer)
- Based upon familial
relationship (only parent, child, sibling)
- Based upon Diversity Visa
Lottery
- Based upon a well founded fear
of persecution in a home country.
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Question #2:
What documents will I need in order to file for legal permanent
residence?
Answer: You will need:
- The original birth certificate
and English translation
- Copy of passport page with
nonimmigrant visa
- 2 passport style photos
- Medical Examination if you are
applying for adjustment through a Service Center
- Form G325a, Biographic
Information Sheet
- Copy of Form I-94, Nonimmigrant
Arrival/Departure record
- Affidavit of Support, for
adjustment based on entry as a fiancée or relative visa
petition.
Please consult the USCIS website,
www.uscis.gov, as additional evidence may be required.
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Question #3:
How and when should I renew my green card?
Answer: Form I-90,
application to renew or replace your green card should be filed 6
months before the green card expires. You may file electronically
at the USCIS website or mail the completed application to USCIS,
P.O. Box 54870, Los Angeles, California 90054-0870.
The cost for filing this
application is $290 and the fee for biometrics is $80.00. You may
submit one check or money order for both the application and
biometrics fees (for fingerprinting, photo, etc.) for a total of
$370.00 Please consult the website before submitting any fees as
some applicants do not have to submit the fee.
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Question #4:
Can I travel during the adjustment of status process?
Answer: You need to obtain
a special travel document (Form I-131) in order to travel outside
the United States once the application for adjustment has been
filed. This may take a few months.
The law requires all non-U.S.
citizens to report a change of address within 10 days of moving by
completing a Form AR-11. Non-citizens with pending applications
should also phone the USCIS 800 number and report the address
change. You may also change your address online by visiting the
USCIS website.
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Question #5:
How do I apply for citizenship?
Answer: The application
for citizenship is Form N400. To obtain the form:
- Download Form N-400 from USCIS
website at www.uscis.gov
- Phone USCIS at 1-800-375-5283
and request Form N-400.
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Question #6:
How do I know if I am eligible to apply for citizenship?
Answer: You are eligible
to apply for citizenship if you meet all of these requirements:
- You must be able to read, write
and speak English
- You must be at least 18 years
old
- You must be a legal permanent
resident and have continuous residence in the United States for
at least 5 years prior to filing your application and no single
absence from the United States for more than one year.
- You must demonstrate good moral
character for at least 5 years
- You must have knowledge and
understanding of U.S. history and government.
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Question #7:
What do I need to include in the application, how much does it
cost and where do I mail the package to?
Answer: Mail the
application along with 2 passport style photos, a copy of your
green card, front and back and a check or money order for $675.00
made payable to “USCIS or “Dept. of Homeland Security.”
You are paying $595.00 for the application and a $80.00
fingerprint fee. If you are 75 or older at time of filing you do
not need to pay for fingerprints.
New Jersey residents should mail
the application, using certified mail, to: (Be sure to make a
copy)
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services
75 Lower Weldon Street
St. Albans, Vermont 05479
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Question #8:
What do I do if I can’t afford the cost of filing the
application?
Answer: If you feel that
you can’t afford the cost (due to loss of job, low income)
you may file your application with a fee waiver request. USCIS
will not waive the $80.00 fingerprint fee.
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Question #9:
What if I am unable to learn English and U.S. history due to a
disability?
Answer: If you have a
physical or mental impairment that prevents you from learning
English and U.S. History you may be eligible for a medical
disability exception, form N-648. You or your representative must
complete the first section of the form and your physician will
complete the rest. The form should be submitted along with your
application for naturalization.
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Question #10:
I filed the application a long time ago and have not heard
anything on my case. How do I obtain information on my case?
Answer: You can:
- Check case status on line by
visiting USCIS website and clicking on case status info and
processing times. You will need the receipt number of the
application
- Make an appointment with
INFOPASS, a USCIS web-based system that enables you to schedule
appointments with immigration officers or USCIS officers.
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Question #11:
I am here on a nonimmigrant visa. How do I extend my stay?
Answer: You may file form
I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant status. You will
need to include Form I-94, front and back and be sure to keep your
passport valid for the duration of your stay. Submit this
application at least 45 days before your stay expires or as soon
as you determine you need to change status. In most cases, it is
not a good idea to apply for a green card while in the U.S. on a
nonimmigrant visa. Consult with an attorney or accredited
representative before doing so.
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If you have
additional immigration questions you may call: Jewish Family &
Vocational Service 732-777-1940 and speak to an immigration
expert, or click here to
ask your question via e-mail.
IMPORTANT
PHONE NUMBERS:
- Middlesex County Board of
Social Services ---- 732-745-3500
- USCIS (formerly INS)
---- 1-800-375-5283
- Jewish Family & Vocational
Service (immigration assistance) ----
732-777-1940
- Social Security (New Brunswick
office) ---- 1-800-772-1213
- Domestic Violence Hotline
---- 1-800-621-HOPE
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This "Frequently Asked
Immigration Questions" page was developed by Jewish Family &
Vocational Service of Middlesex County located at 200 Metroplex
Drive, Edison, NJ. JFVS provides comprehensive immigration
assistance and is authorized to represent clients before United
States Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS).
This information page is
co-sponsored by the New Jersey State Bar Foundation and made
possible with funding from the IOLTA Fund of the Bar of New
Jersey.
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