5 Tips to Help Avoid Getting Your Immigration Case REJECTED

In this blog post, we will be sharing five tips to help avoid getting your immigration case rejected by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A rejected case is different from a denied case, as the former means that USCIS did not even review the merits of the case due to improper filing, while the latter means that USCIS has reviewed the case and found the applicant ineligible.

Updated Forms

Tip number one is to make sure to file the immigration application or petition using the most recent, correct version of the form required for the case, including humanitarian filings such as VAWA petitions. USCIS regularly updates their forms, so it’s crucial to use the current version to avoid rejection.

Correct Filing Fees

Tip number two is to ensure that the correct filing fees are paid for the case, particularly for employment-based petitions such as the H-1B Visa, where multiple government filing fees may apply. USCIS regularly updates and changes filing fees, and submitting an incorrect fee will likely result in rejection. This is true whether you are filing an employment-based petition or handling something more routine, such as paying the green card renewal fee as a lawful permanent resident. Review the instructions and find out the precise amount required for the specific filing. Please note that the same form can be used for multiple types of filings, so be certain the fees are correct.

Signatures

Tip number three is to sign in the appropriate places for the immigration case. Missing signatures can lead to rejection, so make sure to properly sign the application or petition. It’s also important to sign correctly. USCIS will reject forms containing e-signatures.

Filing Address

Tip number four is to submit the case to the correct address. USCIS has multiple addresses for accepting applications, and submitting the case to the wrong address can result in rejection. Carefully follow the instructions for the specific case type and submit the application to the correct address.

Forms

Tip number five is to fill out the immigration forms thoroughly and correctly answer all the questions, including applications related to temporary travel such as the B-1 visa or student classifications like the F-1 visa. It’s important to answer all questions as thoroughly as possible. Leaving blank spaces on the forms may lead to rejection. In fact, in certain situations, it’s best practice to write in “N/A” instead of leaving an entry as blank.

It’s not unreasonable for someone without much experience in handling immigration matters to make these mistakes. Hiring an immigration lawyer can be instrumental in avoiding a rejection and ensuring long-term strategy alignment, including options such as an O1 visa to green card path when applicable. Although it’s not required, an immigration lawyer can guide and assist with the immigration process to avoid mistakes and ensure a smoother process.

In conclusion, by following these tips, one can help to avoid getting their immigration case rejected by USCIS. It’s essential to use the correct version of the form, pay the correct filing fees, sign in the appropriate places (and do so properly), submit to the correct address, and fill out the forms thoroughly and correctly.

If you have any questions about any of the information covered in this post, you may consider consulting an experienced immigration law firm for guidance. You are also welcome to email me directly at contact@ashoorilaw.com.