Asylum — United States

After you file Form I-589 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), your case moves through review and decision.

What happens to your ability to work, travel, and stay in the United States depends on whether USCIS grants asylum.

Work and authorization

If USCIS grants your asylum application, you are authorized to work in the United States immediately.

You do not need to wait for a separate approval to begin lawful employment once asylum is granted.

Your work authorization is tied directly to your approved asylum status.

Keep documentation of your approval for your records and for any employment verification process.

If your Form I-589 remains pending, review the USCIS website for current guidance on employment eligibility and related procedures.

Rules and processes can change, and USCIS provides the official requirements.

Travel considerations

Do not leave the United States after filing Form I-589 unless you first obtain advance parole.

Departing without advance parole can affect your asylum case.

Advance parole is permission to reenter the United States after temporary travel abroad.

You must receive approval before you travel.

Even with advance parole, travel decisions carry risk.

Review current instructions and filing requirements on the USCIS website before making plans.

Remaining in the U.S.

If USCIS grants you asylum, you may remain in the United States.

Your approved status allows you to stay lawfully.

Keep copies of your asylum approval notice and all related USCIS documents.

You will need them to prove your lawful presence and eligibility for benefits tied to asylum status.

If your case is still pending, you may remain in the United States while USCIS adjudicates your Form I-589.

Monitor all mail from USCIS and respond promptly to any requests for information.

You do not pay a filing fee for Form I-589, but you must track processing times and follow mailing rules exactly.

Delays often result from filing at the wrong address or misunderstanding employment authorization eligibility.

USCIS processing timelines

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) lists standard affirmative asylum processing times at 6 to 18 months as of March 2026.

Processing times vary by:

• Eligibility category
• USCIS service center
• Case volume and staffing

You should confirm current estimates using the official USCIS processing times tool.

The agency updates timelines regularly.

*As reported by USCIS in March 2026.

If you already filed Form I-589 and your case remains pending, processing continues under the same general timeframe unless USCIS transfers your case.

USCIS may also route certain filings through specialized units, which can affect timing.

Always monitor your case status directly through USCIS.

Fees and EAD costs

The filing fee for Form I-589 is $0 as of February 2026.

You do not pay a fee to apply for asylum.

If you seek employment authorization, you must file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, under the appropriate eligibility category.

Fees vary by category and filing type.

Examples mentioned in USCIS guidance include:

• Initial Employment Authorization Document (EAD) under category (c)(11)
• Renewal EAD for certain parolees

Because EAD fees can change, you should:

1. Review the Form I-765 instructions.

2. Use the USCIS Fee Calculator.

3. Confirm your eligibility category before filing.

You must submit the correct fee with Form I-765 if required.

USCIS will reject filings with incorrect payments.

Special filing / mailing rules

You must mail your paper Form I-589 to the correct USCIS filing location based on your residence and case type.

USCIS does not accept asylum filings at all locations.

Follow these steps carefully:

1. Review the Form I-589 webpage.

2. Identify your filing category.

3. Confirm the correct mailing address.

4. Mail the complete application to that address.

Certain applicants must file by mail with the Asylum Vetting Center, including:

• Individuals in removal proceedings under specific statutory categories
• Applicants directed by the Special Instructions section of the Form I-589 webpage

If you already submitted Form I-589 and it remains pending with USCIS, do not refile unless USCIS instructs you to do so.

Mailing to the wrong address can delay your case or result in rejection.

Always verify the correct filing location before sending your application.

You apply for asylum by filing Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal.

Where you file depends on whether you are in immigration court proceedings and whether you were classified as an unaccompanied alien child (UAC).

Filing with the wrong agency can delay your case.

Affirmative vs defensive filing

You file affirmatively with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if:

• You are physically present in the United States
• You are not a U.S. citizen
• You are not in proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)
• You are in proceedings but were determined to be a UAC

You file defensively if you are already in removal proceedings before an immigration judge or the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and were never determined to be a UAC.

The main difference is who decides your case. USCIS handles affirmative cases.

An immigration judge at EOIR decides defensive cases.

You cannot file Form I-589 with USCIS if you are currently in EOIR proceedings unless you qualify under the UAC exception.

Where and how to file

Form I-589 must be completed in English. Submit it to the correct agency based on your case status.

File with USCIS if you qualify for affirmative asylum. File with EOIR if you are in immigration court proceedings and do not qualify for the UAC exception.

Follow these steps:

1. Complete Form I-589 fully and accurately.

2. Sign the form.

3. Include all required information about your spouse and children.

4. If you have more than four children, attach Form I-589 Supplement A for additional children.

5. Mail the form to the address listed in the official Form I-589 instructions.

If you have an A-Number but are not in EOIR proceedings, you may still file affirmatively with USCIS.

If you file with USCIS but are actually in EOIR proceedings and do not qualify as a UAC, USCIS will not accept your application.

Interpreter, referrals, and special rules

You must provide a competent interpreter if USCIS requires one for your interview. The interpreter must translate accurately between you and the asylum officer.

USCIS may refer your case to an immigration judge rather than approve or deny it. In that situation, your case continues in immigration court as a defensive asylum case.

Special rules apply to applicants determined to be unaccompanied alien children (UACs). Even if you are in EOIR proceedings, you may file Form I-589 with USCIS if you qualify under this classification.

Complete every section of the form carefully. Incomplete or inconsistent information can delay your case or lead to referral to immigration court.

Most asylum denials result from preventable filing errors, weak documentation, or credibility concerns. You reduce risk when you submit a complete Form I-589, provide detailed facts, and support your account with consistent evidence.

Common application mistakes

USCIS can reject or deny your case before it reaches the merits if you do not follow the Form I-589 instructions exactly. Technical errors often stop a case from moving forward.

Frequent filing problems include:

• Leaving required fields blank, such as your full legal name, U.S. residence, or date of birth
• Failing to sign the Form I-589
• Submitting missing pages or using the wrong form edition
• Filing at the wrong location or using the wrong filing method (for example, filing online when instructions require mailing)
• Not providing a competent interpreter when required
• Missing your scheduled asylum interview
• Failing to acknowledge a decision in person when instructed

Traveling outside the United States without approved advance parole after filing can also lead USCIS to treat your application as abandoned.

Use this checklist before filing:

Credibility and evidence problems

USCIS closely reviews whether your testimony is detailed, specific, and consistent with country conditions evidence. Vague statements such as “I was threatened” without dates, locations, or names weaken your claim.

You must explain events in clear chronological order. Describe who harmed you, what happened, when it occurred, and why you believe it happened.

Applications often face Requests for Evidence (RFEs) when the personal statement lacks detail or when supporting documents are minimal. Generic affidavits carry less weight than statements that describe specific incidents.

If you answer “Yes” to eligibility questions on Form I-589, provide a clear explanation and supporting documentation. Unexplained answers raise credibility concerns.

Stronger evidence may include:

• Detailed personal declaration
• Country conditions reports that match your facts
• Affidavits from witnesses
• Expert statements when available

Consistency across your written statement, interview testimony, and documents is critical.

How to strengthen a claim

Start with a thorough, fact-based personal statement. Include dates, locations, names, and the sequence of events.

Organize your evidence so USCIS can easily follow your story.

Practical steps:

1. Review the Form I-589 instructions line by line before filing.

2. Attach a detailed written declaration.

3. Include supporting country conditions evidence that reflects your specific harm.

4. Add affidavits from people with direct knowledge of your situation.

5. Double-check signatures, required fields, and correct filing location.

Prepare carefully for your asylum interview. Review your application so your testimony remains consistent with what you filed.

Prepare complete and accurate information before you start Form I-

1. You must provide detailed biographical data, your U.S. residence history, and full information about your spouse and children, along with a signed form submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Biographical & identity fields

Form I-589 asks for precise identity information about you, your spouse, and your children. Enter your complete last name, date of birth, and country of birth exactly as they appear on your identity documents.

Provide consistent spelling across every section of the form. Inconsistent names or dates can delay review by USCIS.

Use this checklist to confirm accuracy:

• Full legal last name
• Date of birth (day, month, year)
• Country of birth
• Biographical details for spouse
• Biographical details for each child

You must also clearly explain why you are applying for asylum. Describe the fear of persecution that led you to seek protection.

Before submission, review every biographical field and sign Form I-589 in the designated signature section. USCIS will not accept an unsigned form.

Residence & contact details

You must state where you physically reside in the United States. The form specifically asks for your current U.S. residence.

List your residence clearly and completely. Do not leave this section blank.

Include:

• Your current physical address in the United States
• Any required residence details requested in Question 8 of Form I-589

Residence information helps USCIS identify your location while your asylum application is pending. Ensure the address is accurate at the time you file.

If you move, follow USCIS instructions on updating your address. Keep your records consistent with what you report on Form I-589.

Dependents and supporting forms

You must provide complete details about your spouse and all children, even if they are not applying with you. The form requires biographical information for each dependent.

Include:

• Full last name
• Date of birth
• Country of birth

Do not omit a child. The form requires you to disclose all children.

Download Form I-589 directly from the USCIS website and complete all relevant sections in English. Answer every applicable question.

Before filing:

1. Review all entries for accuracy.

2. Confirm you included your spouse and each child.

3. Sign the completed Form I-589.

Submit the signed form with all required information to USCIS following the official filing instructions.