Avoid These Immigration Application Errors

Receiving a green card and obtaining citizenship is a dream of many people worldwide who hope to start a new life in the United States. The process of applying for citizenship is complicated, and the process can take many years. When an applicant spends time and money to fill out multiple forms and collect a myriad of documents, they can become frustrated and demoralized when it is returned for mistakes and errors. Here’s a quick explanation of common immigration application errors and one of the best ways to avoid them.

Common Immigration Application Errors

1. Incomplete Submissions. There are many situations under which individuals become eligible for immigration to the United States, and each situation requires different application forms and supporting documentation. Applicants can easily become confused by the requirements or get lost within binders of paperwork. However, when an application is incomplete, it may be returned for additional processing or denied altogether.
2. Foreign Language Documents Are Not Translated. It’s not uncommon for supporting documentation to be in a foreign language. For example, birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, court transcriptions, education records, and medical files are standard documents that are required to accompany immigration applications. When these are in a non-English language, they must be translated before submission to the USCIS. The translations must also meet USCIS requirements for formatting and authenticity.
3. Improper Payment. Application fees can be as confusing as the forms required for different situations. Also, fee schedules change relatively frequently. If a payment is submitted for too much or too little, the entire application will likely be returned to the prospective immigrant. The USCIS will not begin processing an application before receiving the correct payment.
4. Missing Signatures. One of the most frustrating errors people experience with immigration applications is simply forgetting to sign the forms in all the appropriate places. Signatures imply commitment; without them, the USCIS will not process the documents. Failing to sign on the dotted line will result in unnecessary delays.
5. Missing Renewal Deadlines. It can be easy to forget to renew a current immigration status while waiting for their green card or naturalization application to be approved. Losing current immigration status will cause delays and other issues for other applications in progress.
6. Submitting False Information. You don’t have to be trying to hide facts to have an application denied for false information. It’s critical for applicants to take their time and ensure all the information they provide in applications is 100% accurate. If there are any questions, the applicant should double-check the facts instead of making their “best guess” on the application.

How can you avoid delays and denials from immigration application errors?

One of the best ways to ensure your application will be accepted is by using a professional translation service with experience preparing documentation for immigration purposes. The Perfect Translation specializes in translating documents according to the specifications and requirements of the USCIS.

Our team understands the process the USCIS uses to review and process immigration applications, so they are positioned to best help your clients present their cases most favorably. Your documents will be translated correctly and formatted appropriately the first time to meet the USCIS requirements. Contact us today for more information and a free quote.