Humanitarian
Form I-589
Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal
Used to apply for asylum in the United States if you have been persecuted or fear persecution in your home country on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
- Filing fee
- $100
- Biometrics
- No fee
- Typical processing
- 6 to 60 months
Who can file
- Persons physically present in the U.S. regardless of immigration status
- Must file within 1 year of last arrival (with limited exceptions)
- Must demonstrate persecution or fear of persecution
Send with it
- Detailed personal declaration describing persecution
- Country condition reports and evidence
- Identity documents (passport, national ID)
- Evidence of persecution (medical records, police reports, photos)
- Supporting affidavits from witnesses
Worth knowing
- The 1-year filing deadline is strictly enforced - file as soon as possible
- Include a detailed, well-organized personal declaration
- Country condition evidence from reputable sources strengthens your case
- You may apply for work authorization 150 days after filing
- Consider hiring an attorney - asylum law is complex
Common mistakes
- Missing the 1-year filing deadline
- Insufficient or vague personal declaration
- Not including country condition evidence
- Inconsistencies between the application and interview testimony
Questions
- How much does Form I-589 cost?
- The USCIS filing fee for Form I-589 is $100.
- How long does Form I-589 take?
- Typically 6 to 60 months, depending on the office and the category. Check the current USCIS times for your office before you plan around it.
Related forms
Fees are as published by USCIS. Confirm on USCIS's fee schedule (G-1055) before you pay - a wrong fee gets a filing rejected. General information, not legal advice.