What is the purpose of USCIS G-639?
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has two principal purposes for the G-639 form. First, it gives applicants a way to indicate their “desired action” (for example, apply for citizenship) in a format that is convenient for them to use. The G-639 form is also used as an alternative to the DHS form I-601. G-639 is designed for individuals who are not eligible for an immigration benefit because they do not meet the eligibility requirements; however, it can also be used for those who are eligible, but have not yet applied for an immigration benefit.
G-639 is required to be completed after any other USCIS information or documentation is received, provided to the USCIS officer, and approved. USCIS officers do have the option to approve the G-639 form and complete the USCIS request without submitting, or to ask applicants to complete the G-600 form and submit it at a later date.
The purpose of completing the G-639 form is to make it easier for applicants to apply for an immigration benefit. Therefore, applicants should consult with an immigration lawyer to ensure their G-639 information is accurate and complete.
Who should complete USCIS G-639?
G-639 should only be completed if:
You or your family member is planning to immigrate to the U.S. with a U.S. citizen spouse in the future.
You or your family member is under a legal disability or will need to obtain social security numbers in the future.
Furthermore, you are a spouse of a U.S. citizen who is an employee in an employer's U.S.-based office or on-site employee.
Furthermore, you are a parent of a U.S. citizen child under 21 years of age in the U.S. or a U.S.-born child who will be under 21 years of age in the U.S. in 1 year.
Furthermore, you have a legal guardian for a child under 21 years of age who will be under 21 years of age in the U.S. in 1 year.
If you are an investor, you must apply before completing USCIS G-701, if you plan on investing in the U.S. at any time.
Who is eligible for G-639, and what does it cost?
The 5,000 maximum amounts for G-639 is for G-639 only. G-701 is limited to 10,000 each for individuals with a minimum net worth of 1 million.
When do I need to complete USCIS G-639?
To obtain a U.S. Green Card within three months of arriving in the U.S.
To obtain a Naturalization Certificate within three months of arriving in the U.S.
To obtain a U.S. Passport within three months of arriving in the U.S.
If you are unable to pay all the required fees associated with the USCIS Form G-600, you should submit an appeal to USCIS for reconsideration of the case.
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What is the USCIS “VISA Processing Fee?”
You are required to pay the USCIS “VISA Processing Fee” if you qualify for an F-1 Visa or if you are applying for a B visa.
How can I pay?
You must pay for the USCIS Form G-600 electronically. See the USCIS website for more details.
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What do I need to include in the USCIS G-600 Submission?
You will need to identify the individuals to be interviewed, submit all supporting documents related to your case, and pay all fees.
How much does this form cost?
The USCIS “VISA Processing Fee” is 465, plus the estimated number of cases required to be processed within a particular period.
A description and example of the types of cases that are included in the “VISA Processing Fee” are contained in the instructions for the USCIS Form G-600.
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How do I submit my Form G-600 with all required supporting documents?
Fill out, sign, and date the USCIS Form G-600. Make sure all documents are attached to the form. USCIS will send you a confirmation letter that includes your payment. The USCIS “Visa Processing Fee” is due with your payment within three months of receipt of your Form G-600.
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Does the USCIS need my Social Security Card number?
No. The applicant does not need to provide information for a Social Security number.
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Does the USCIS need my full name?
No. The applicant does not need to provide information for a full name.
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Is my fingerprint required?
Your fingerprint is required and should be taken while applying for your U.S. Green Card.
Can I create my own USCIS G-639?
You can. (See instructions below.) However, if you plan to travel to the U.S. to obtain legal permanent U.S. residency within the next ten years, you may need to apply directly for one of our G-8 or G-7 visas. See below for more detail on the USCIS program.
Can I apply after my spouse has a G7 or G-8 visa?
You can apply after your spouse has a G7 or G-8 visa. However, it may be difficult to meet the requirements and be admitted to the U.S. If you need more information, please see our article What If I Live In The US With My Spouse?.
Should I get myself interviewed after my application?
Yes, your interview is a critical part of completing the application process. Before you apply, you should be familiar with USCIS interviews. For more information, you can visit our website at.
What I do when I have an appointment with an interview agent?
When you have completed your interview, you should take your paperwork to the interview agent who will complete your application with you:
By mail
At most U.S. consulates, if you are applying for a G-639 after applying at your state or local consulates;
By fax (for most countries) or email
At the USCIS office nearest you;
If your interviewer gives you an e-mail address when you first talk with the USCIS agent, you can also use this to update your personal information
You can also visit the USCIS website at. This website also includes information at “How to Prepare for a USCIS Interview.”
When I am interviewed is that the same person who will handle my application?
Not directly. When each interview agent is assigned to your case, the person doing the interview may be different. USCIS uses a person code for each interview and a case code. The person code will be the same on all documents you file with USCIS. However, the case code will vary depending on your case. See our Application Questions & Answers for more information about case codes.
There is one USCIS interview agent. Who can I talk to if I want to discuss questions or have concerns before an interview?
It's best to talk to USCIS agents directly.
What should I do with USCIS G-639 when it’s complete?
Once you receive your G-639, you will need to file your G-639 with USCIS, which can take 7 to14 working days. G-639 instructions and attachments will not be available until you receive your G-639(s).
How do I get my USCIS G-639?
My son would love to have his USCIS G-639, so he can work more in the U.S. I work in the U.N. and am a U.S. citizen. If I apply for a new Social Security number using my son's Social Security number, can I get it as USCIS G-639? If so, when can I ask USCIS for it? How much does it cost? If it is a new application using the son's number, the processing time is one year, not the five years you expect if USCIS uses the son's number. I'm not sure if I still qualify. If I haven't worked here in a year, I can still apply to USCIS using the son's G-639 information. The U.S. government doesn't change its policies, just its procedures. But wait. There's more: USCIS says, “No application or supplemental application for a U.S. worker may be submitted when a USCIS-issued I-485 or the DHS I-94-R is in force. If you are an alien who has been employed in the foreign country during the previous year, use the USCIS I-94-A form instead.” In other words, if you have received a green card and don't work here, you can get a green card after six years, not five, by submitting I-485 Form 94-R instead.
For other questions about U.S. applications or the visa process: see U.S. Embassy, Consulate General, and Embassies in your country's capital and/or a USCIS Office in your county. The embassy or consulate in the U.S.
What documents do I need to attach to my USCIS G-639?
The documents that you attach to your G-639: Your USCIS application if you are the dependent of the parent who filed the application. Proof of US citizenship and residency if the person who filed the application is not a US Citizen. A copy of your school identification card if you are planning on attending an educational institution in the US (not including private academies and schools). Proof of health insurance if required by the sponsoring country. Proof of health insurance if a beneficiary is a US Citizen. Any additional documentation requested by the USCIS.
Where does G-639 take place?
If you would like to find out more information about your G-639 filing, see our G-639 FAQ.
Are there any additional steps I should take to submit my G-639 or the G-601?
Nope. This is your filing. If we are not able to determine what documents we need when processing your request, the information will be treated as if you did submit your G-601. This is true even if you file using a separate tax filing method.
How do I get my G-639 or G-601 processed, so I am ready to file my tax return in July or August?
Call us at, and let us know the following:
Your name and mailing address. A phone number you can reach us at if needed. Your date of birth. A valid email address.
If you have already filed your tax return, and are required to attach the G-640 or G-641, you may file a supplemental return and attach the G-639 or G-601. However, this process will take many months to complete. Once you are processing your return and the information on your G-639 or G-601 is approved and mailed in, we will process the filing for you.
Can I appeal the processing of my G-639 or G-601?
Yes. If you believe that the decision you received was not correct, or if you do not agree that the information you provided on your G-639 or G-601 is adequate to establish you as a dependent of that parent or parents, we will notify you of these options for appeals.
Can G-639's be used to apply for a visa?
No.
What are the different types of USCIS G-639?
G-639 is used to verify and authenticate identity of alien who are applying for nonimmigrant visa to enter U.S. or for lawful permanent resident to enter U.S. The validity period is five years. It is often used for spouses, children and parents of U.S. citizen or green card holders.
G-639 Form is filed at the time of applicant's F-1 processing application. Applicant is required to submit G-639 to USCIS upon arrival in U.S. and to submit to U.S. Immigration Court (USCIS-IG) for the period that USCIS intends to hold an immigrant, the date of final determination of whether to approve and grant an immigrant's visa to enter the country, the expiration of the period of validity of G-639.
G-639 is also used to prove identity of alien when USCIS denies an immigrant admission under the following circumstances that are listed below:
The applicant was not a U.S. citizen or was granted refugee status or an immigrant visa pursuant to U.S. law or a treaty;
The alien was not authorized to be in the U.S. or an alien who was refused admission to or removed from the U.S. and who thereafter attempted to reenter unlawfully, was adjudicated as an alien deportable from the U.S., or was required to pay a monetary fine or other penalty and is still in the U.S. illegally;
The alien has not provided a valid, attested copy of his/her G-30, a notice of intention to apply for a nonimmigrant visa to enter the U.S. or other nonimmigrant visa application receipt to USCIS at that time;
The alien has entered the U.S. since the filing of USCIS's Form I-130 for the alien's visa application or when USCIS received an immigrant visa approval request, but the approved immigrant visa was subsequently denied by USCIS;
The applicant claims to be an original or a lawful representative of a foreign power, an alien who is not a U.S. citizen or an alien applying for a visa under the Convention Against Torture.
G-623 G-626 G-628 G-673
This is the Form I-131-Advance Notification of Travel. This is the Form I-131G-Advance Notification of Travel Form.
How many people fill out USCIS G-639 each year?
In 2014, about 17,000, or about one for every five million immigrants who came to the United States, as required by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. The rate has changed over time, from 3.6 percent of all immigrants in 1976 to 2.7 percent in 2014. The increase has largely reflected an increase of immigrants on skilled and unskilled visas of roughly 150 percent between 1976 and 2014. This includes the approximately 60 percent of all immigrants on H-1B visas.
How does a visa work? The G-639 visa permits the alien to apply for permanent residence in the United States. At least three years must pass between entry and the issuance of the visa. Some categories of visas that allow aliens to stay permanently are called “provisional leave” visas. USCIS requires that they be valid for four years except for the O-1 visa, which is used for temporary business visits.
What is this document called? The G-639 has been issued since 1958 but was first issued as an individual visa. It was expanded in 1986 as the “Green Card” category of green card permits was introduced. When combined with the S-4 (for the permanent resident visa), the G-639 permit creates the Green Card. Some G-601s, issued after 1987, are also called a “Green Card” but with a slightly different name (see footnote 1).
What are the benefits of the G-639? The G-639 visa gives an alien the right to reside permanently in the United States and to enjoy the benefits of an immigrant visa category. These include certain access to federal benefits, eligibility to work, and an exemption from the normal work requirements of the labor certification process. The G-639 is considered a form of legal permanent residence. The alien, however, must apply in person at an immigration office in the United States to begin the process and has to comply with all other laws and regulations.
Is an alien entitled to the permanent residence benefit after they've been admitted into the United States, have filed a petition for legalization, been found eligible for legalization by the Immigration Judge, and applied for green card status? No, the G-639 visa does not provide any legal basis for the alien's status after entering the United States. Only Congress determines legal terms of a foreign national's stay in the United States and how immigration agencies treat the alien upon that status.
Is there a due date for USCIS G-639?
A: G-639 is due on or before October 15 each year.
If you filed a waiver of filing under G-639, does the G-639 waiver expire?
A: No. Although the G-639 waiver did not explicitly specify an expiration year, USCIS still retains jurisdiction to review applications on the basis of the earlier filed waiver in case of a “final determination.”
Can I renew my G-639 application after it had the same expiration date as the first filing?
A: Yes, but you have to apply again (see G-612 and G-612-1).
What if USCIS does not accept my amended form after I have filed (for example, when it was received on or after September 15)?
A: If you need to get your amended form approved, you must file with USCIS a new G-612 or G-612-1 filing. You can use the form we sent to you for the new filing. You can also call and ask them for help.
If I use my waiver form on the same day in which I received it, am I exempt from any applicable fees?
A: Yes. You are not exempt from any USCIS fees (except for the application fee).
If I file an amended G-639 (even when I received an amended form under G-612 or G-612-1) when I receive a new one, do I not need to file a new application?
A: No. You must file a new G-613 application.
Do I need to have a legal representation before being processed by USCIS?
A: No, if you file by certified mail, USCIS will handle the fee and processing of your application in a separate area.
How long will it take to process my application?
A: Please refer to processing times.
How long will it take to receive my application with fee refund?
A: If the application fee was not paid (after all requirements are met), USCIS will mail you a refund or refund the full amount of your application (up to 10) after processing. USCIS processing times do not include the time needed to receive a refund (up to 4-5 weeks). If you need the refund immediately, you may return the application fee to our office before processing begins.