Filing application for your U.S. green card? This is the first step and an important moment towards citizenship in the United States. But as you know U.S. immigration and green card permit is highly complex and requires a deep understanding of the immigration laws, it may lead to a lot of mistakes while filing the green card application. Furthermore, these mistakes can lead to delays, rejections, and in some cases, even denials.
In order to help you file your application correctly, we have put together this list of eight common mistakes due to which green card applications are rejected. Reading them will help you avoid some of the most common errors that people make when submitting their green card applications-
Missing out forms in your application: A green card application is not just one form that you need to submit to the USCIS rather, it has multiple government forms. Whether you are submitting an adjustment of status application or you might be trying to apply for a green card for marriage or applying for a green card on some other basis, you will be required to submit several forms to eventually get the green card. Make sure not to miss any of the required forms as it can cut down your process time by years.
Incomplete paperwork in support of your application: There are various supporting documents required along with your green card application. You will have to prove each aspect of the green card application through supporting documents. For instance, while applying for green cards through marriage, you have to prove that the marriage is real, prove that your prior marriages have ended, if any, etc through various supporting documents. Failing to present the required documents can result in application denial.
Missing deadline & appointments: Once you start your green card application process, you will have to take care of the various important deadlines and appointments of your green card interview. You need to mark your visa expiration date, the dates for processing the application, the dates for the interview, the renewal deadline, etc. Missing out on any of these dates can result in denial of your visa application as the US government takes these deadlines very seriously.
Giving any false information: Giving your background history or any information wrong, whether intentional or even by accident, can be considered as lying on your application. Presenting any false information will make the USCIS thins that you are lying on your application, and consequently your application can get denied and you may have to leave the United States forever. Thus, check thoroughly that you have all of your dates, locations, & other important items filled carefully while filling out the application.
Not preparing for your interview: You must prepare for the green card interview questions in advance to make the most out of your green card interview. As your interview is the last step towards getting your reen card, it decides the fate of your green card application. It is best to know what to expect at your interview so that you can be well-prepared in advance to answer questions and provide appropriate responses to the officer’s questions. Appearing nervous or unprepared can often lead an officer to doubt the legitimacy of your green card case.
Not hiring an immigration lawyer: If you decide not to take help from an experienced immigration attorney, you can certainly make mistakes. Hiring an attorney can help you understand the basic requirements for application, help you in filing the forms and application, gather the supporting documents and represent you in front of USCIS effectively. As immigration lawyers are well-versed with the immigration laws and have huge experience in helping their clients get through the process, you must seek guidance from them.
This is not the full list of the mistakes that people commit while submitting the green card application but certainly has the most common mistakes highlighted. For you go through your entire green card application process, it is recommended that you contact a dedicated law firm with experienced immigration lawyers who can help you get through the process in a hassle-free manner & get you the U.S. citizenship.