Immigration Forms Specialist (IFS)
What Is an Immigration Forms Specialist?
Simply put, an Immigration Forms Specialist (IFS) is someone who helps people complete immigration forms to enter and live in the United States.
There are many USCIS forms immigrants need help with, like the I-485 (to become a permanent resident or “green card holder”) and the N-400 (application for U.S. citizenship).
To fill out these official forms correctly requires English-language fluency. Strong attention to detail is needed to prepare the submission packages to meet the requirements of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Do you have to be an Immigration Forms Specialist to help people with their immigration forms?
No. Anyone with the know-how may provide limited help with immigration forms. However, there may be state rules and requirements you must observe.
What Immigration Forms Specialists Can & Can’t Do
The primary service an IFS provides is helping people complete immigration forms and prepare packages for submission to USCIS.
To fill out a person’s immigration documents thoroughly, an IFS may perform additional services. These services may include translating the applicant’s answers to questions on the forms and collecting required support documents, such as birth certificates.
An Immigration Forms Specialist is not allowed to perform services that an attorney or accredited representative would provide, such as explaining immigration options, giving advice about which immigration forms to use, or representing a client at an immigration hearing.
Other Categories Of Immigration Service Providers
The assistance immigrants need differs from person to person and family to family. To support the various needs, there are three types of people who can help:
• Immigration Forms Specialists
• Accredited representatives
• Licensed attorneys
Federal and state laws dictate the kinds of services these providers can offer based on their qualifications.
*Other names for Immigration Forms Specialist Should Be Verified; State regulations vary, and so do the terms the states use.
(Information Credited To The NNA)
Most Common USCIS Immigration Forms
If you don’t know the form name or get a number wrong, it can be hard to find the immigration form you need. Here’s a collected of the most used citizenship and immigration forms at the top and listed common USCIS forms below in alphabetical order with their official form names.
I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status)Also known as a green card application, this form is for immigrants looking to become permanent U.S. residents.N-400 (Application For Naturalization)Sometime referred to as a application for citizenship, this form is submitted when an immigrant applies to become a U.S. citizen.N-600 (Application for Certificate of Citizenship)This form is for an official certificate recognizing a child’s status as a U.S. citizen. This is not an application to become a U.S. citizen.I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)This form is used when a U.S. citizen or permanent resident wants to help a relative immigrate to the United States.I-864 (Affidavit of Support)This form is required for some immigrants to show that they have adequate means of financial support and are not likely to rely on the U.S. government for financial support.
I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status); Also known as a green card application, this form is for immigrants looking to become permanent U.S. residents
N-400 (Application For Naturalization); Sometime referred to as a application for citizenship, this form is submitted when an immigrant applies to become a U.S. citizen
N-600 (Application for Certificate of Citizenship); This form is for an official certificate recognizing a child’s status as a U.S. citizen. This is not an application to become a U.S. citizen
I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative); This form is used when a U.S. citizen or permanent resident wants to help a relative immigrate to the United States.
I-864 (Affidavit of Support); This form is required for some immigrants to show that they have adequate means of financial support and are not likely to rely on the U.S. government for financial support
Other USCIS Immigration Forms
AR-11 Change of Address
G-325 A Biographic Information
G-639 Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Request
I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
I-290B Notice of Appeal or Motion
I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant
I-485A Supplement A to Form I-485
I-589 Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal
I-601 Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility
I-751 Petition to Remove the Conditions of Residence
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization
I-817 Application for Family Unity Benefits
I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status
I-821D Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
I-864A Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member
I-881 Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal (Pursuant to Section 203 of Public Law 105-100 (NACARA))
I-912 Request for Fee WaiverI-918 Petition for U Non-immigrant Status
N-336 Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (Under Section 336 of the INA)
N-426 Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service
N-470 Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes
N-565 Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document
N-600 Application for Certificate of Citizenship
N-648 Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions