The following 5 Top Tips address the most common reasons for why an I-485, Green Card Application, is returned or outright denied, and will help to reduce your chances of getting your application returned or denied.
1. Pay the Fees
If you are including a check, make sure there are sufficient funds in your account and the check will not bounce. We recommend paying by money order, certified check or personal check over completing the credit card authorization form.
2. Include Proof of the Underlying Petition on which your I-485 is based
An I-485 Green Card Application is not a stand alone application. This means you must be eligible for another petition or visa first before you can apply for the Green Card. Therefore, you will need to submit the receipt or approval notice of the underlying petition, or if the visa allows concurrent filing, you must submit evidence of eligibility for both the underlying petition and the I-485 at the same time.
3. Submit the I-864 Affidavit of Support, if applicable
If you are submitting a family petition, you will need to provide a I-864 Affidavit of Support, with your financial documents, to establish you will not be a public charge.
4. Submit your Birth Certificate and all Required Identification Documents
USCIS may deny your application if you do not submit your birth certificate or any other required identification documents as listed in the form instructions.
Use our I-485 Checklists to complete your immigration petition with all the required documents. It can be devastating to get a denial of your immigration petition or Request for Evidence (RFE) which can significantly delay your approval. Retaining a I-485 visa lawyer with experience and knowledge of the process is absolutely necessary when handling such important immigration matters