Petition for Amerasian, Widow or Special Immigrant

OMB No. 1615-0020; Expires 10/31/08

Instructions for Form I-360, Petition for
Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant

Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Instructions
Read these instructions carefully to properly complete this form. If you need more space to complete an answer, use a
separate sheet(s) of paper. Write your name and Alien Registration Number (A number), if any, at the top of each sheet of
paper and indicate the part and number of the item to which the answer refers.
If he or she was born in Vietnam, you must also submit a
copy of his or her Vietnamese identification card, or an
affidavit explaining why it is not available;

What Is the Purpose of This Form?
This petition is used to classify an alien as:
2.

1.

An Amerasian;

2.

A Widow or Widower;

3.

A Battered or Abused Spouse or Child of a U.S. Citizen
or Lawful Permanent Resident; or

4.

A special immigrant is defined as one of the following;
A. Religious Worker;
B.

DRAFT

Panama Canal Company Employee, Canal Zone
Government Employee, U.S. Government in the
Canal Zone Employee;

3. A photograph of the person;
4.

C. Physician;
D. International Organization Employee or Family
Member;
E.

Juvenile Court Dependent;

F.

Armed Forces Member; or

G. Afghanistan or Iraq national who supported the U.S.
Armed Forces as a translator.

Who May File This Form I-360?

1.

An Affidavit of Financial Support executed by the
sponsor with the evidence of financial ability required by
that form. Please note that the original sponsor remains
financially responsible for the Amerasian if any
subsequent sponsor fails in this area;

2.

Copies of evidence showing that the sponsor is at least 21
years old and is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident;

3.

Fingerprints of the sponsor taken by USCIS as part of the
required biometric services.

Amerasian
Any person who is 18 or older, including the alien, or a U.S.
corporation may file this petition for a beneficiary who was
born in Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Kampuchea, or Thailand after
December 31, 1950, and before October 22, 1982, and was
fathered by a U.S. citizen.
The petition must be filed with:
Copies of evidence showing that the person who is subject
of this petition was born in one of the above countries
between those dates.

If the person is married, submit a copy of the marriage
certificate, and proof of the termination of any prior
marriages.

The sponsorship documents noted below are also required.
You may file these documents with the petition or wait until
USCIS reviews the petition and requests them. However, not
filing them with the petition will add to the overall processing
time.

H. Iraq national who worked for or on behalf of the U.S.
Government in Iraq.

1.

Copies of evidence establishing the parentage of the
person, and that the biological father was a U.S. citizen.
Examples of documents that may be submitted are: birth
or baptismal records or other religious documents; local
civil records; an affidavit, correspondence, or evidence of
financial support from the father; photographs of the
father (especially with the child); or, absent other
documents, affidavits from knowledgeable witnesses that
detail the parentage of the child and how they know such
facts;

Widow/Widower of a U.S. Citizen
You may file this petition for yourself if:
1.

You were married for at least two years to a U.S. citizen
who is now deceased and who was a U.S. citizen at the
time of death;

2.

Your citizen spouse's death was less than two years ago;
Form I-360 Instructions (Rev. 10/20/08)Y

3.

You were not legally separated from your citizen spouse
at the time of death; and

4.

You have not remarried.

The petition must be filed with:

1. Solely as a minister of the U.S. employer's denomination;

1.

A copy of your marriage certificate to the U.S. citizen and
proof of termination of any prior marriages of either of
you;

2.

Copies of evidence that your spouse was a U.S. citizen,
such as a birth certificate if born in the United States,
Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship
issued by USCIS; Form FS-240, Report of Birth Abroad
of a Citizen of the United States; or a U.S. passport which
was valid at the time of the citizen's death; and

3.

A copy of the death certificate of your U.S. citizen spouse.

Special Immigrant Juvenile

If applicable, the U.S. employer must submit a Religious
Denomination Certification. The terms used in the basic
requirements are defined below. The alien must be coming to
the United States to work:

2. In a religious vocation either in a professional or
nonprofessional capacity; or
3. In a religious occupation either in a professional or
nonprofessional capacity.
NOTE: All religious workers, other than ministers,
immigrating to the United States as special immigrant
religious workers must immigrate or adjust status to
permanent residence before March 6, 2009. Statutory
amendments may extend this date. USCIS will provide
information if the date is extended.
Immigrate means to enter the United States with a valid
immigrant visa. Adjust status to permanent residence means
having Form I-485 approved.

DRAFT

Any person, including the alien, may file this petition for an
alien who:
1.

Is unmarried and less than 21 years old;

2.

Has been declared dependent upon a juvenile court in the
United States, or who such a court has legally committed
to, or placed under the custody of an agency or
department of a State, and who has been found eligible
for long-term foster care; and

3.

Has been the subject of administrative or judicial
proceedings in which it was determined that it would not
be in the juvenile's best interests to be returned to the
juvenile's or his or her parent's country of nationality or
last habitual residence.

Definitions

There are definitions that apply specifically to Special
Immigrant Religious Worker petitions. Detailed explanations
of the definitions may be found at 8 CFR 204.5(m). The
evidence that must be submitted refers to the following
definitions:
1.

Bona Fide Nonprofit Religious Organization in the
United States means a religious organization exempt
from taxation as described in section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, subsequent amendment,
or equivalent sections of prior enactments of the Internal
Revenue Code. The organization must have a currently
valid determination letter from the Internal Revenue
Service confirming the tax exemption. Tax-exempt
organization is defined below.

2.

Bona Fide Organization That Is Affiliated with the
Religious Denomination means an organization that is
closely associated with a religious denomination.
Religious denomination is defined below. The affiliated
organization must be exempt from taxation as described
in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, subsequent amendment, or equivalent sections of
prior enactments of the Internal Revenue Code. The
organization must have a currently valid determination
letter from the Internal Revenue Service confirming the
tax exemption. Tax-exempt organization is defined below.

The petition must be filed with:
1.

A copy of the juvenile's birth certificate or other evidence
of his or her age;

2.

Copies of the court or administrative document(s) upon
which the claim to eligibility is based.

NOTE: After a special immigrant juvenile becomes a
permanent resident, his or her parent(s) may not receive any
immigration benefit based on the relationship to the juvenile.

Special Immigrant Religious Worker
Basic Requirements. A U.S. employer or an alien may file a
special immigrant religious worker petition. In either case, the
U.S. employer must submit certain evidence and an attestation
in support of the petition.

Form I-360 Instructions (Rev. 10/20/08)Y Page 2

3.

D. The alien's completion of the denomination's
requirements for ordination.

Religious Denomination means a religious group or
community of believers that is governed or administered
under a common type of ecclesiastical government with:
6.
A. A recognized common creed or statement of faith
shared among the denomination's members;

A. The duties must primarily relate to a traditional
religious function and be recognized as a religious
occupation within the denomination;

B. A common form of worship;
C. A common formal code of doctrine and discipline;

B. The duties must be primarily related to, and must
clearly involve, inculcating or carrying out the
religious creed and beliefs of the denomination;

D. Common religious service, and ceremonies;
E. Common established places of religious worship,
religious congregations; or

C. The duties do not include positions which are
primarily administrative or support such as janitors,
maintenance workers, clerical employees, fund
raisers, persons solely involved in the solicitation of
donations, or similar positions, although limited
administrative duties that are only incidental to
religious functions are permissible; and

F. Comparable evidence of a bona fide religious
denomination.
If there is no hierarchical ecclesiastical government, an
individual church may qualify as a religious denomination
by submitting a description of its internal governing
structure.
4.

Religious Occupation means an occupation which meets
all of the following requirements:

DRAFT

Denominational Membership means membership during
at least the two-year period immediately preceding the
filing date of the petition, in the same type of religious
denomination as the United States religious organization
where the alien will work.

D. Religious study or training for religious work does
not constitute a religious occupation, but a religious
worker may pursue study or training incident to
status.

7.

Religious Vocation means a formal lifetime commitment,
through vows, investitures, ceremonies, or similar indicia,
to a religious way of life. The religious denomination
must have a class of individuals whose lives are dedicated
to religious practices and functions, as distinguished from
the secular members of the religion. Examples of
religious vocations include nuns, monks, and religious
brothers and sisters.

8.

Religious Worker means an individual engaged in and,
according to the denomination's standards, qualified for a
religious occupation or vocation, whether or not in a
professional capacity, or as a minister.

9.

Tax Exempt Organization means an organization
exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, subsequent amendment,
or equivalent sections of prior enactments of the Internal
Revenue Code.

5. Minister means an individual who:
A. Is fully authorized by a religious denomination, and
fully trained according to the denomination's
standards, to conduct religious worship and perform
other duties usually performed by authorized
members of the clergy of that denomination;
B. Is not a lay preacher or a person not authorized to
perform duties usually performed by clergy;
C. Performs activities with a rational relationship to the
religious calling of the minister; and
D. Works solely as a minister in the United States, which
may include administrative duties incidental to the
duties of a minister.
If the denomination does not require a particular level of
formal academic training or experience, the U.S.
organization may submit evidence of the:
A. Individual denomination's requirements for ordination
to minister;
B. Duties allowed to be performed by virtue of
ordination; and
C. Denomination's levels of ordination, if any; and

A. The organization must demonstrate tax-exempt status
by submitting a currently valid determination letter
from the Internal Revenue Service.
B. A determination letter may be currently valid
regardless of whether it is issued under 501(c)(3) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, subsequent
amendment, or equivalent sections of prior
enactments of the Internal Revenue Code.
Form I-360 Instructions (Rev. 10/20/08)Y Page 3

C. These requirements also apply to religious
organizations that are recognized as tax exempt
under a group tax exemption;

4.

Number of aliens holding special immigrant or
nonimmigrant religious worker status currently employed
or employed within the past five years.

D. In instances where the organization is affiliated with
the religious denomination and was granted taxexempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, subsequent amendment, or
equivalent sections of prior enactments of the
Internal Revenue Code, as something other than a
religious organization, additional documentation is
required.

5.

Number of Special Immigrant Religious Worker Form
I-360 and Nonimmigrant Religious Worker Form I-129
petitions submitted by the prospective employer within
the past five years.

6.

The title of the position offered to the alien.

7.

The complete package of salaried or non-salaried
compensation being offered.

Compensation Requirements

8.

A detailed description of the alien's proposed daily duties.

A religious worker must be salaried and/or non-salaried.
Salaried means receiving a traditional paycheck. Non-salaried
means receiving support such as room, board, medical care, or
transportation instead of a paycheck. The attestation section
below lists the evidence that the U.S. employer must submit
regarding compensation.

9.

The position being offered to the alien requires at least 35
hours per week of compensated service.

Attestation Requirements

12. The alien's membership in the prospective employer's
denomination for at least two years prior to admission to
the United States.

DRAFT

In addition to completing Form I-360, the prospective
employer must complete an Employer Attestation and
complete a Religious Denomination Certification. Prospective
employer means the U.S. employer that will be employing the
alien.
If the alien is a self-petitioner and is also an authorized official
of the prospective employer, the self-petitioner may sign the
attestation.
An authorized official of the prospective employer must
complete, sign, and date the Employer Attestation and
complete the Denomination Certification. The authorizing
official must sign the attestation, certifying under penalty of
perjury that the attestation is true and correct.
On the Employer Attestation form, the prospective employer
must specifically attest to the following:
1.

10. The specific location(s) of the proposed employment.

The prospective employer's status as a:

11. The alien is qualified to perform the duties of the offered
position.

13. That, if the position is not a religious vocation, the alien
will not be engaged in secular employment, and any
compensation for religious work will be paid to the alien
by the attesting employer.
14. The prospective employer's ability and intention to
compensate and otherwise support (through housing, for
example) the alien at a level at which the alien and
accompanying family members will not become public
charges.

Initial Evidence Relating to the
Prospective Employer
The petitioner must submit the following initial evidence
relating to the prospective employer:
1.

A currently valid determination letter from the Internal
Revenue Service establishing status as a tax exempt
organization as defined in part 9 above;

2.

Documentation that establishes the religious nature and
purpose of the organization, such as a copy of the
organizing instrument of the organization that specifies
the purposes of the organization;

3.

Organizational literature, such as brochures, calendars,
flyers, and other literature describing the religious
purpose and nature of the activities of the organization;
and

A. Bona fide nonprofit organization; or
B. Bona fide organization that is affiliated with a
religious denomination and is exempt from taxation.
2.

The number of members of the prospective employer's
organization.

3. The number of employees who work at the same location
where the alien will be employed and a summary of those
employees' responsibilities.

Form I-360 Instructions (Rev. 10/20/08)Y Page 4

4.

A completed Religious Denomination Certification signed
and dated by an authorizing official, certifying under
penalty of perjury that the certification is true and correct.

the United States, must have been authorized under
United States immigration law. If the alien was employed
in the United States during the two years immediately
preceding the filing of the application and:

Initial Evidence Related to Compensation

A. Received salaried compensation, the petitioner must
submit IRS documentation that the alien received a
salary, such as an IRS Form W-2 or certified copies
of income tax returns.

The prospective U.S. employer must submit verifiable
evidence of how the petitioner intends to compensate the alien.
The evidence may include:
1.

B. Received non-salaried compensation, the petitioner
must submit IRS documentation of the non-salaried
compensation if available.

Past evidence of compensation for similar positions;
budgets showing monies set aside for salaries, leases, etc.;
documentation that food, housing, medical care, or
transportation will be provided; or other similar evidence.

2.

If Internal Revenue Service (IRS) documentation, such as
IRS Form W-2 or certified tax returns, is available it must
be provided. If IRS documentation is unavailable, the
prospective employer must explain why it is unavailable
and submit comparable verifiable documentation.

3.

Specific evidence must be provided if the alien worked in
the United States during the two years immediately before
the petition was filed. If the alien:

C. Received no salary but provided for his or her own
support, and provided support for any dependents, the
petitioner must show how support was maintained by
submitting with the petition additional documents
such as audited financial statements, financial
institution records, brokerage account statements,
trust documents signed by an attorney, or other
verifiable evidence acceptable to USCIS.

DRAFT

A. Received salaried compensation, the prospective
employer must submit IRS documentation that the
alien received a salary, such as an IRS Form W-2 or
certified copies of income tax returns.
B. Received non-salaried compensation, the prospective
employer must submit IRS documentation of the nonsalaried compensation if available.

2.

If the alien was employed outside the United States during
such two years, the petitioner must submit comparable
evidence of the religious work.

3.

The prior religious work need not correspond precisely to
the type of work to be performed.

4.

A break in the continuity of the work during the preceding
two years will not affect eligibility so long as:
A. The alien was still employed as a religious worker;

C. Received no salary but provided for his or her own
support and for any dependents, the prospective
employer must show how support was maintained by
submitting documents such as audited financial
statements, financial institution records, brokerage
account statements, trust documents signed by an
attorney, or other verifiable evidence acceptable to
USCIS.

B. The break did not exceed two years; and
C. The nature of the break was for further religious
training or for sabbatical that did not involve
unauthorized work in the United States. However, the
alien must have been a member of the petitioner's
denomination throughout the two years of qualifying
employment.

Initial Evidence Related to the Alien's
Prior Employment

Initial Evidence Related to a Minister

1.

If filing in behalf of a minister, the petitioner must submit the
following additional initial evidence:

Evidence relating to the alien's prior employment.
Qualifying prior experience during the two years
immediately preceding the petition or preceding any
acceptable break in the continuity of the religious work,
must have occurred after the age of 14, and if acquired in

1.

A copy of the alien's certificate of ordination or similar
documents reflecting acceptance of the alien's
qualifications as a minister in the religious denomination;
and

Form I-360 Instructions (Rev. 10/20/08)Y Page 5

2.

Documents reflecting:
A. Acceptance of the alien's qualifications as a minister
in the religious denomination;

3.

2. Was a Panamanian national and either honorably retired
from U.S. Government employment in the Canal Zone with
a total of 15 or more years of faithful service; or

B. The alien's completion of any course of prescribed
theological education at an accredited theological
institution normally required or recognized by that
religious denomination, including transcripts,
curriculum, and documentation that establishes that
the theological institution is accredited by the
denomination.

3. Was employed for 15 years and since honorably retired; or
was an employee of the Panama Canal Company or Canal
Zone Government, had performed faithful service for five
years or more as an employee, and whose personal safety,
or the personal safety of his or her spouse or child, is in
danger as a direct result of the special nature of his or her
employment and as a direct result of the Treaty.

For denominations that do not require a prescribed
theological education, evidence of:

The petition must be filed with:

A. The denomination's requirements for ordination to
minister;
B. The duties allowed to be performed by virtue of
ordination;

1. A letter from the Panama Canal Company, Canal Zone
Government, or U.S. Government agency employing the
person in the Canal Zone, indicating the length and
circumstances of employment and any retirement or
termination; and

DRAFT

C. The denomination's levels of ordination, if any; and
D. The alien's completion of the denomination's
requirements for ordination.

2. Copies of evidence to establish any claim of danger to
personal safety.

Special Immigrant Physician

Verification of Evidence

Any person may file this petition for an alien who:

USCIS may verify the submitted evidence through any means
that USCIS determines as appropriate, up to and including an
on-site inspection. If USCIS decides to conduct a preapproval inspection, satisfactory completion of such
inspection will be a condition for approval of any petition. The
inspection may include:

1. Graduated from a medical school or qualified to practice
medicine in a foreign state;

1.

A tour of the organization's facilities and, if appropriate,
the organization's headquarters, or satellite locations;

2.

An interview with the organization's officials;

3.

A review of the organization's records related to
compliance with immigration laws and regulations; or

4.

A visit to the locations where the alien will work or live.

Special Immigrant Based on Employment with the
Panama Canal Company, Canal Zone Government
or U.S. Government in the Canal Zone

2. Was fully and permanently licensed to practice medicine in
a State of the United States on January 9, 1978, and was
practicing medicine in a State on that date;
3. Entered the United States as an "H" or "J" nonimmigrant
before January 9, 1978; and
4. Has been continuously present in the United States and
continuously engaged in the practice or study of medicine
since the date of such entry.
The petition must be filed with:
1. Letters from the person's employers, detailing his or her
employment since January 8, 1978, including the current
employment; and
2. Copies of relevant documents that demonstrate that the
person filed for meets all the above criteria.

Any person may file this petition for an alien who, at the time
the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 entered into force, either:
1. Was resident in the Canal Zone and had been employed by
the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government
for at least one year; or

Form I-360 Instructions (Rev. 10/20/08)Y Page 6

Special Immigrant International Organization
Employee or Family Member
Certain long-term "G" and "N" nonimmigrant employees of a
qualifying international organization entitled to enjoy
privileges, exemptions, and immunities under the International
Organizations Immunities Act, and certain relatives of such an
employee, may be eligible to apply for classification as a
Special Immigrant. To determine eligibility, contact the
qualifying international organization or your local USCIS
office.
The petition must be filed with:
1. A letter from the international organization demonstrating
that it is a qualifying organization and explaining the
circumstances of qualifying employment and the
immigration status held by the person the petition is for;
and

2. Your birth certificate.

Afghanistan or Iraq National Supporting
U.S. Armed Forces as a Translator
You may file this petition for yourself if:
1. You are a national of Afghanistan or Iraq;
2. You worked directly with the U.S. Armed Forces as a
translator for a period of at least 12 months;
3. You have obtained a favorable written recommendation
from a general or flag officer in the chain of command of
the U.S. Armed Forces unit that you supported; and
4. Before filing this petition, you were cleared by a
background check and screening, as determined by a
general or flag officer in the chain of command of the U.S.
Armed Forces unit that you supported.

DRAFT

2. Copies of evidence documenting the relationship between
the person this petition is for and the employee.

The petition must be filed with:

Armed Forces Member

1. A copy of your passport or birth certificate showing that
you are a national of Afghanistan or Iraq;

You may file this petition for yourself if:
1.

You have served honorably on active duty in the U.S.
Armed Forces after October 15, 1978;

2. A favorable written recommendation from a general or flag
officer in the chain of command of the U.S. Armed Forces
unit that you supported;

2.

You originally lawfully enlisted outside the United States
under a treaty or agreement in effect on October 1, 1991,
for a period or periods aggregating:

Iraq National Who Was Employed by or on
Behalf of the U.S. Government in Iraq

A. Twelve years, and were never separated from such
service except under honorable conditions; or
B. Six years, are now on active duty, and have reenlisted
to incur a total active duty service obligation of at least
12 years;
3.

4.

You are a national of an independent state that maintains a
treaty or agreement allowing nationals of that state to
enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces each year; and
The executive department under which you have served or
are serving has recommended you for this special
immigrant status.

The petition must be filed with:
1. Certified proof issued by the authorizing official of the
executive department in which you are serving or have
served which certifies that you have the required honorable
active duty service and/or commitment; and

1. You may file this petition for yourself if:
A. You are a national of Iraq;
B. You have established to the satisfaction of the Chief of
Mission, or the designee of the Chief of Mission, that
you were or are employed by or on behalf of the U.S.
Government in Iraq on or after March 20, 2003, for a
period of not less than one year;
C. You have established to the satisfaction of the Chief of
Mission, or the designee of the Chief of Mission, that
you provided faithful and valuable service to the U.S.
Government. Your senior supervisor must submit a
recommendation to the U.S. Government or, if your
senior supervisor has left the employer or left Iraq,
either the person who is currently occupying that
position or someone in a more senior position with the
employing entity;

Form I-360 Instructions (Rev. 10/20/08)Y Page 7

D. You have established to the satisfaction of the Chief of
Mission, or the designee of the Chief of Mission, that
you have experienced or are experiencing an ongoing
serious threat as a consequence of the employment by
or on behalf of the U.S. Government;

Self-Petitioning Battered or Abused Spouse or Child
of a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident

E. You have or will have cleared a background check
and appropriate screening as determined by the
Secretary of Homeland Security; and

1. Are now the spouse or child of an abusive U.S. citizen or
lawful permanent resident;

F. You are otherwise eligible to receive an immigrant visa
and are admissible to the United States for permanent
residence, excluding the grounds of inadmissibility
specified in section 212 (a) (4) of the INA.
2. Entitlement to status of surviving spouse or child:
You are also classifiable as a special immigrant described
in section 1244 of Pub. L. 110-181 if you are the spouse or
child of a principal alien who had a petition approved by
USCIS, but the petition was terminated after its approval
due to the death of the principal alien.
3. The petition must be filed with:

You may self-petition for immediate relative or familysponsored immigrant classification if you:

2. Are eligible for immigrant classification based on that
relationship;
3. Are now residing in the United States or have resided in the
United States with the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent
resident abuser in the past;
4. Have been battered by or have been the subject of extreme
cruelty perpetrated by:
A. Your U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse
during the marriage, or are the parent of a child who
has been battered by or has been the subject of extreme
cruelty perpetrated by your abusive citizen or lawful
permanent resident spouse during your marriage;

DRAFT

A. A copy of your passport, birth certificate, or national
identification card showing that you are a national of
Iraq. If the document is in a foreign language, a
certified English translation must be provided.
B. A positive recommendation from your senior
supervisor or the person currently occupying that
position, or a more senior person if your senior
supervisor has left the employer or has left Iraq,
confirming employment of not less than one year on
or after March 20, 2003;
C. Proof of risk assessment conducted by the Chief of
Mission, or the designee of the Chief of Mission;
D. Proof of independent review conducted by the Chief
of Mission, or the designee of the Chief of Mission, of
records maintained by the U.S. Government or hiring
organization or entity to confirm employment and
faithful and valuable service to the U.S. Government.
E. If you are physically present in the United States, you
must also submit a copy of the front and back of your
Arrival Departure Record (Form I-94).

B. Your citizen or lawful permanent resident parent while
residing with that parent;
5. Are a person of good moral character;
6. Are a person whose removal or deportation would result
in extreme hardship to yourself, or to your child if you are
a spouse; and if you
7. Are a spouse who entered into the marriage to the citizen
or lawful permanent resident abuser in good faith.
NOTE: Divorce or other legal termination of the marriage to
the abuser after the self-petition is properly filed with USCIS
will not be the sole basis for denial or revocation of an
approved self-petition. If you remarry before you become a
lawful permanent resident, however, your self-petition will be
denied or the approval revoked.
Your self-petition may be filed with any credible relevant
evidence of eligibility. The determination of what evidence is
credible and the weight to be given that evidence is within the
sole discretion of USCIS; therefore, you are encouraged to
provide the following documentation:
1.

Evidence of the abuser's U.S. citizenship or lawful
permanent resident status;

Form I-360 Instructions (Rev. 10/20/08)Y Page 8

2. Marriage and divorce decrees, birth certificates, or other
evidence of your legal relationship to the abuser;
3.

One or more documents showing that you and the abuser
have resided together in the United States in the past, such
as employment records, utility receipts, school records,
hospital or medical records, birth certificates of children,
mortgages, rental records, insurance policies, or
affidavits;

The hotline services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a
week, toll-free from anywhere in the United States, Puerto
Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. The staff and volunteers
speak both English and Spanish and have access to translators
in 139 languages.

General Instructions

One or more documents showing that you are now
residing in the United States, such as the documents listed
above;

Step 1. Fill Out Form I-360

Evidence of the abuse, such as reports and affidavits from
police, judges, and other court officials, medical
personnel, school officials, clergy, social workers, and
other social service agency personnel. If you have an
order of protection, or have taken other legal steps to end
the abuse, you should submit copies of those court
documents;

2. If extra space is needed to complete any item, attach a
continuation sheet, indicate the item number, and date and
sign each sheet.

6. If you are more than 14 years of age, your affidavit of good
moral character accompanied by a local police clearance,
State-issued criminal background check, or similar report
from each locality or State in the United States or abroad in
which you have resided for six or more months during the
three-year period immediately preceding the filing of your
self-petition;

4. Every petition must be properly signed, and accompanied
by the proper fee. If you are under 14 years of age, your
parent or guardian may sign the petition.

4.

5.

1. Type or print legibly in black ink.

3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. State that an
item is not applicable with "N/A." If the answer is none,
write "None."

DRAFT

Step 2. General Requirements
Translations. Any document containing a foreign language

7. Affidavits, birth certificates of children, medical reports,
and other relevant credible evidence of the extreme
hardship that would result if you were to be removed or
deported; and

submitted to USCIS shall be accompanied by a full English
language translation that the translator has certified as
complete and accurate, and by the translator's certification that
he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language
into English.

8. If you are a spouse, proof that one spouse has been listed
as the other's spouse on insurance policies, property leases,
income tax forms, or bank accounts; and testimony or
other evidence regarding your courtship, wedding
ceremony, shared residence, and experiences showing that
your marriage was entered in good faith.

Copies. Unless specifically required that an original
document be filed with an application or petition, an ordinary
legible photocopy may be submitted. Original documents
submitted when not required will remain a part of the record,
even if the submission was not required.

NOTE: A self-petitioning battered or abused spouse or child
of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident may submit any
relevant credible evidence in place of the suggested evidence.

Where To File?

Public Service Information
The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides
information, crisis intervention, and referrals to local service
providers, including legal assistance organizations, to victims
of domestic violence or anyone calling on their behalf at
1-800-799-7233 or TDD at 1-800-787-3244 TTD.

Where Form I-360 is submitted depends on where you live
and/or the category in which you are filing. See the following
instructions to determine where to file the petition. For
Service Center and Lockbox mailing addresses, go to
"Mailing Addresses" at the end of this section.

Form I-360 Instructions (Rev. 10/20/08)Y Page 9

Updated Filing Address Information

Religious Worker or Minister

The filing addresses provided on this form reflect the most
current information as of the date this form was last printed. If
you are filing Form I-360 more than 30 days after the latest
edition date shown in the lower right-hand corner, please visit
our website at www.uscis.gov before you file, and check the
Immigration Forms page to confirm the correct filing address
and version currently in use. Check the edition date located in
the lower right-hand corner of the form.

Form I-360 must be filed at the California Service Center,
regardless of where you live or work. It cannot be filed
concurrently with Form I-485.

If the edition date on your Form I-360 matches the edition date
listed for Form I-360 on the online Immigration Forms page,
your version is current and will be accepted by USCIS. If the
edition date on the online version is later, download a copy
and use the online version. If you do not have Internet access,
call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283
to verify the current filing address and edition date.
Improperly filed forms will be rejected, and the fee
returned, with instructions to resubmit the entire filing
using the current form instructions.

Amerasian

Special Immigrant International Organization
Employee or Family Member
Form I-360 must be filed with the Nebraska Service Center,
regardless of where you live. It may be filed alone or
concurrently with Form I-485.

Armed Forces Member
1. If you live outside the United States, file Form I-360 at the
USCIS office or U.S. Embassy or consulate abroad that has
jurisdiction over the area where you live.

DRAFT

1. If the beneficiary lives outside the United States, Form
I-360 may be filed at the USCIS office overseas or at the
U.S. Embassy or consulate having jurisdiction over the
beneficiary's current place of residence.
2. Form I-360 may also be filed at the USCIS office having
jurisdiction over the beneficiary's intended place of
residence in the United States by submitting this petition to
the USCIS Lockbox.

Widow or Widower
1. If you are filing only Form I-360, it must be filed at the
Vermont Service Center.
2. Form I-360 may also be filed concurrently with Form
I-485. Concurrent Form I-360/I-485 widow/widower
filings must be filed with the USCIS Lockbox.
3. If you live outside the United States, you may file Form
I-360 at the USCIS office or U.S. Embassy or consulate
that has jurisdiction over the area where you live.

Special Immigrant Juvenile Court Dependent
Form I-360 may be filed alone or concurrently with Form
I-485 at the USCIS Lockbox.

2. If you live in the United States, file Form I-360 with the
Vermont or California Service Center, depending on the
place where you live, or you may file it concurrently with
Form I-485 at the USCIS Lockbox.

Afghan and Iraqi Translators/Interpreters, or Iraqi
Employees Who Worked for or on the Behalf of the
U.S. Government
Form I-360 must be filed at the Nebraska Service Center,
regardless of where you live. It cannot be filed concurrently
with Form I-485.

International Broadcasters
Form I-360 must be filed at the Vermont Service Center,
regardless of where you live or work. It cannot be filed
concurrently with Form I-485.

Self-Petitioning Battered or Abused Spouse or Child
Form I-360 must be filed at the Vermont Service Center,
regardless of where you live. In some cases it may be filed
concurrently with Form I-485 (see note below).
NOTE: Form I-485 may be filed concurrently with Form
I-360 if the abusive spouse or parent is a U.S. citizen.
Otherwise, an immigrant visa number must be immediately
available to file the I-485 concurrently.

For other categories including:
1. Panama Canal Company Employment;
2. Canal Zone Government Employment;
Form I-360 Instructions (Rev. 10/20/08)Y Page 10

3. U.S. Government in Canal Zone Employment; or
4. Special Immigrant Physician.
File Form I-360 with the California Service Center or the
Vermont Service Center, depending on where you live:
If you live in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, the
District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto
Rico, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.
S. Virgin Islands, or West Virginia, file this petition with the
Vermont Service Center.

For Courier or Special Delivery, use:
USCIS
Attn: I-360
131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517

What Is the Filing Fee?
The filing fee for Form I-360 is $375, except there is no fee if
filing for an Amerasian, a Special Immigrant Juvenile, as a
self-petitioning battered or abused spouse or child of a U.S.
citizen or lawful permanent resident, or Iraqi national who
worked for or on behalf of the U.S. Government in Iraq.

If you live in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam,
Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North
Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington,
Wisconsin, or Wyoming, file this petition with the California
Service Center.

An additional biometric fee of $80 is required when filing
Form I-360 on behalf of an Amerasian. After you submit
Form I-360, USCIS will notify you about when and where you
will need to go for biometric services.

Mailing Addresses

You may submit one check or money order for both the
application and biometric fees, for a total of $455.

DRAFT

Service Center Addresses:
California Service Center:
USCIS
California Service Center
P.O. Box 10360
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-0360
Nebraska Service Center
USCIS
Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box 87360
Lincoln, NE 68501-7360
Vermont Service Center
USCIS
Vermont Service Center
75 Lower Welden Street
St. Albans, VT 05479-0001

USCIS Lockbox Addresses
For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries, use the
following P.O. Box Number:
USCIS
Attn: I-360
Box 805887
Chicago, IL 60680-4120

Use the following guidelines when you prepare your check or
money order for Form I-360, and the biometric service fee if
applicable:
1. The check or money order must be drawn on a bank or
other financial institution located in the United States, and
must be payable in U.S. currency; and
2. Make the check or money order payable to U.S.
Department of Homeland Security, unless:
A. If you live in Guam, make it payable to Treasurer,
Guam.
B. If you live in the U.S. Virgin Islands, make it payable
to Commissioner of Finance of the Virgin Islands.
NOTE: Please spell out U.S. Department of Homeland
Security; do not use the initials "USDHS" or "DHS."
Notice to Those Making Payment by Check. If you send us
a check, it will be converted into an electronic funds transfer
(EFT). This means we will copy your check and use the
account information on it to electronically debit your account
for the amount of the check. The debit from your account will
usually take 24 hours and will be shown on your regular
account statement.

Form I-360 Instructions (Rev. 10/20/08)Y Page 11

You will not receive your original check back. We will
destroy your original check, but we will keep a copy of it. If
the EFT cannot be processed for technical reasons, you
authorize us to process the copy in place of your original
check. If the EFT cannot be completed because of
insufficient funds, we may try to make the transfer up to two
times.

Processing Information
Any Form I-360 that is not signed or accompanied by the
correct fee will be rejected with a notice that Form I-360 is
deficient. You may correct the deficiency and resubmit Form
I-360. An application or petition is not considered properly
filed until accepted by USCIS.

How to Check If the Fees Are Correct
The form and biometric fees on this form are current as of the
edition date appearing in the lower right corner of this page.
However, because USCIS fees change periodically, you can
verify if the fees are correct by following one of the steps
below:
1. Visit our website at www.uscis.gov, select "Immigration
Forms," and check the appropriate fee;
2. Review the Fee Schedule included in your form package, if
you called us to request the form, or

Initial processing. Once Form I-360 has been accepted, it
will be checked for completeness, including submission of the
required initial evidence. If you do not completely fill out the
form, or file it without required initial evidence, you will not
establish a basis for eligibility, and we may deny your petition.

Requests for more information or interview. We may
request more information or evidence, or we may request that
you appear at a USCIS office for an interview. We may also
request that you submit the originals of any copy. We will
return these originals when they are no longer required.

DRAFT

3. Telephone our National Customer Service Center at
1-800-375-5283 and ask for the fee information.

NOTE: If your Form I-360 requires payment of a biometric
service fee for USCIS to take your fingerprints, photograph, or
signature, you can use the same procedure to obtain the correct
biometric fee.

Decision. If you establish that the person this petition is for
is eligible for the requested classification, we will approve the
petition. We will send it to the U.S. Embassy or consulate for
visa issuance, unless he or she is in the United States and
appears eligible and intends to apply for adjustment to
permanent resident status while here. If you do not establish
eligibility, we will deny the petition. We will notify you in
writing of our decision.

Address Changes
If you change your address and you have an application or
petition pending with USCIS, you may change your address
online at www.uscis.gov, click on "Change your address with
USCIS," and follow the prompts, or you may complete and
mail Form AR-11, Alien's Change of Address Card, to:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Change of Address
P.O. Box 7134
London, KY 40742-7134
For commercial overnight or fast freight services only, mail to:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Change of Address
1084-I South Laurel Road
London, KY 40744

USCIS Forms and Information
To order USCIS forms, call our toll-free number at
1-800-870-3676. You can also get USCIS forms and
information on immigration laws, regulations, and procedures
by telephoning our National Customer Service Center at
1-800-375-5283 or visiting our Internet website at www.uscis.
gov.
As an altenative to waiting in line for assistance at a USCIS
office, you can now schedule an appointment through our
Internet-based system. To access the system, visit our website.
Use the InfoPass appointment scheduler and follow the screen
prompts to set up your appointment. InfoPass generates an
electronic appointment notice that appears on the screen.

Form I-360 Instructions (Rev. 10/20/08)Y Page 12

Penalties

Paperwork Reduction Act

If you knowingly and willfully falsify or conceal a material
fact or submit a false document with your Form I-360, we will
deny Form I-360 and may deny any other immigration benefit.
In addition, you will face severe penalties provided by law and
may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Privacy Act Notice
We ask for the information on this form, and associated
evidence, to determine if you have established eligibility for
the immigration benefit for which you are filing. Our legal
right to ask for this information can be found in the
Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended. We may
provide this information to other government agencies. Failure
to provide this information, and any requested evidence, may
delay a final decision or result in denial of your Form I-360.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor an information
collection and a person is not required to respond to a
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid
OMB control number. The public reporting burden for this
collection of information is estimated at 2 hours per response,
(except 3 hours per response for Iraqi Nationals who were
employed by or on behalf of the U.S. Government in Iraq, and
2 hours and 15 minutes per response for Religious Workers),
including the time for reviewing instructions and completing
and submitting the form. Send comments regarding this
burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden,
to: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Regulatory
Management Division, 111 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., 3rd
Floor, Suite 3008, Washington, DC 20529. OMB No.
1615-0020. Do not mail your application to this address.

DRAFT

Form I-360 Instructions (Rev. 10/20/08)Y Page 13