Use our Dependents Checklist 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.
Gather all of your evidence and documents in one place. It will save you lots of time later as you prepare your immigration petition and supporting documentation.
Identify areas where you may need to have more evidence to obtain approval of your petition by USCIS.
Dependents Checklist
FORMS
I-539 Application to Change Non-Immigrant Status
SIGNATURE
Make sure the petition is properly signed and filed. USCIS will not accept a stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature.
Make the check or money order for the USCIS filing fees payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” Do not use the initials “USDHS” or “DHS.”
DOCUMENTS
Note: You may submit legible photocopies of documents requested, unless the Instructions specifically state that you must submit an original document.
IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS
Copies of all passports and visas;
I-94;
Birth Certificate;
Social Security Cards, if applicable;
Marriage Certificate, if applicable;
Divorce Certficate(s), if applicable;
State ID;
Proof of legal name change, if you have changed your name; and
All identification documents of dependents if applicable.
PROOF OF RELATIONSHIP TO PRINCIPAL BENEFICIARY
Marriage Certificate; and/or
Birth Certificate.
FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS;
Employment verification letter verifying the Principal Beneficiary’s salary and permanent full-time employment;
Bank Statements showing financial assets;
Other documents showing financial assets if income is below poverty line; and
Letter from Principal Beneficiary stating how they will support the dependent(s).
ELIGIBILITY
a copy of Form I-797, Approval or Receipt Notice, for the Principal Beneficiary’s immigrant petition, if filing Form I-539 separately.
IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS:
Copies of any Employment Authorization Documents;
If on a F-1 visa, include I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status;
If on a J-1 visa, include DS-2019 and any waiver of the 2 Year at Home Residency Requirement; and
Any other immigration related documents showing a previous immigration visa or current valid immigration status.
TRANSLATED DOCUMENTS
All foreign documents should be translated into English by someone who is sufficient as required by USCIS.
Retaining an immigration visa lawyer with experience and knowledge of the process is absolutely necessary when handling such important immigration matters.
