Immigration Forms for U.S. Citizenship, Naturalization, and Admission

Adoption Forms

The next category of form deals with the adoption of children from countries outside the U.S. Many American citizens decide to have an intercountry adoption each year and USCIS determines who is or isn’t eligible based on the parents and children.

While most children are eligible, there can be extraordinary circumstances that prevent the adoption from occurring regardless of the parents. More often, USCIS is responsible for confirming that the adoptive parents are suitable and, furthermore, eligible to care for the adopted child.

The intercountry adoption process requires a lot of research and documentation. If you’re looking into adopting a child from another country, it may be beneficial to hire an immigration lawyer who knows the USCIS rules associated with adoption and can make sure the process continues smoothly.

Fees for Adoption Immigration Forms

Parents who adopt a child from outside the U.S. will have to pay a variety of fees depending on what their child needs.

If an adopted child needs a Certificate of Citizenship, an application filed after December 23, 2016, will cost $1,170. Some children will need a biometrics appointment ($85), others might need to pay the USCIS immigrant fee ($220). Other forms will cost different amounts based on the situation. Forms I-800/I-800A is $775, Form I-800A, Supp. 3 is $385, and Forms I-600/I-600A cost $775. The cost of sustaining a child is also quite expensive, so it’s nice to have some money before beginning the process.

Does an Adopted Child Become a Citizen?

As part of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), a child adopted from outside the U.S. will automatically acquire citizenship if they meet the following requirements:

• They qualify as an “immediate relative” under INA regulations;
• They are admitted as an LPR;
• They are residing under their parents’ legal and physical custody, given that the parents are U.S. citizens; and
• They are below 18 years of age when meeting these requirements

The child will receive a Certificate of Citizenship automatically if they meet the qualifications of the IR-2, IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, or IH-4 visas upon being adopted in the U.S. If they do not meet these initial conditions they will be granted a Certificate of Citizenship when they meet the above requirements.

Citizenship & Naturalization Forms

One step beyond a visa or green card is becoming an official U.S. citizen. Depending on your situation, the naturalization process can be much easier than the green card application process. Green cards can be difficult because you are coming over from your own country and the longer you have to wait the more opportunities you might miss. When applying for naturalization or citizenship, you will likely already be in the U.S. as an LPR.

If you meet all of the naturalization requirements and have not committed any crimes involving moral turpitude, you should be able to naturalize smoothly with the help of an immigration lawyer.

How to File for Naturalization

The most important form when filing for naturalization is the N-400, Application for Naturalization. The filing fee for an N-400 is $640, $725 if you include the $85 biometric fee. Assuming that you meet all the requirements for naturalization, you can file online or by mail. After you complete the naturalization application you will take the Oath of Allegiance and become a U.S. citizen.

Employment-Based Immigration Forms

Employment-based (EB) visa applications are one of the most common ways that foreign individuals will enter the U.S. as lawful permanent residents. There are five different preferences of employment-based applications each with their own subcategories. These visas are typically used by sponsoring employers to hire individuals from outside of the country. Many of the EB forms must be filled out by said sponsoring employer.

Along with the regular documentation for entering the U.S. these petitioners will also need to have employment authorization checks to confirm that they are allowed to work. These authorizations will be required across almost all industries for all employees aside from those who meet special requirements or are of particular national interest.

Fees for Employment Immigration Forms

Employment immigration forms can become quite costly for the sponsoring employer. Especially for larger corporations that bring over numerous employees. It is the responsibility of the employer to have their employees authorized and brought to the U.S. There are not as many costs placed on the immigrant workers, however, it’s still important to do research in case there are required fees.

Family Forms

Sometimes individuals who come to the U.S. want to bring family members with them. U.S. citizens have certain rights as to who they can petition for. Spouses, children, and other immediate relatives are typically eligible parties. It’s important to research the regulations because these privileges only extend so far.

Fees for Family Immigration Forms

The main form involved in family immigration is USCIS Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. The fee for this petition is currently $535. As with the other categories there may be a variety of additional costs associated with bringing over family members from different countries. Consult a family immigration lawyer to get a more accurate estimate of how much your specific petition may cost.

Humanitarian Benefits-Based Forms

The final USCIS form category indicated on their website is the humanitarian benefits category. These forms are all used to provide something called humanitarian parole, allowing individuals who are normally inadmissible into the U.S. for a temporary period of time in the case of an emergency.

Any Individual is eligible for humanitarian parole under the appropriate circumstances. If there is an emergency of some sort, a time-sensitive humanitarian incentive, or a significant public benefit for your entrance, you can apply for humanitarian parole. It’s important to note that receiving parole is not the same as filing a normal visa, and you will still need to follow regular visa procedures to be granted citizenship.

Additionally, if you have ever been removed from the U.S. or you are presently dealing with removal proceedings, you must send your parole application to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for determination.

Humanitarian parole should only be used as a last resort for entrance to the U.S. If you are otherwise eligible for naturalization you can find better ways to enter the country. However, this might be your only option if there are other issues preventing you from getting a visa.

Fees for Humanitarian Benefits-Based Immigration Forms

The basic forms necessary for humanitarian parole are Form I-131 ($575), Form I-134 (no filing fee), and Form G-1145 (no filing fee). The only petition you need to pay for is Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. This is a less expensive category because it’s usually for individuals who are coming to the U.S. to escape an emergency or bad situation.