Special Immigrant Juvenile Status — United States

Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) classification is part of the employment-based, fourth preference (EB-4 visa) immigrant visa category.

You request this classification by filing Form I-360 with USCIS.

Later, you apply for lawful permanent residency by filing Form I-485 when eligible.

Who files Form I-360

You file Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, with USCIS to request SIJ classification.

This form covers several groups, not just Special Immigrant Juveniles.

As an SIJ applicant, you use the same form as other special immigrant categories, but you select the classification that applies to you.

Key points about Form I-360:

• You file it directly with USCIS.
• You request classification as a Special Immigrant.
• Approval places you in the EB-4 (employment-based, fourth preference) category.

After USCIS approves your I-360, you may apply for lawful permanent residency by filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, if a visa is available.

If you are outside the United States, immigrant visa issuance is handled by the U.S. Department of State.

Eligible special-immigrant categories

Special Immigrant Juveniles qualify under the broader special immigrant classification within EB-4.

Form I-360 also applies to other special immigrant groups:

• Religious workers
• Certain broadcasters
• Certain retired officers or employees of a G-4 international organization
• NATO-6 civilian employees and certain family members
• Certain employees performing technical or support services for the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) or its grantees

Everyone requests classification through Form I-360, but each category has its own eligibility standards.

SIJ is one of several classifications grouped under the EB-4 special immigrant category.

Relation to EB-4 (employment-based)

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status falls under the employment-based, fourth preference (EB-4) immigrant visa category.

Despite the term “employment-based,” you don’t need a job offer to qualify as an SIJ.

Congress included SIJ in EB-4 for visa allocation purposes.

Once USCIS approves your I-360:

1. You’re classified as a special immigrant.

2. You may apply for lawful permanent residency through:

Form I-485 if you’re eligible to adjust status in the United States, or

1. Immigrant visa processing through the U.S. Department of State if you’re abroad.

EB-4 classification controls visa availability.

USCIS determines eligibility for SIJ and adjustment of status, while the Department of State manages visa issuance outside the United States.

You must meet strict age and filing requirements and select the correct classification on Form I-360.

USCIS reviews your petition based on the category you choose and the timing of your filing.

SIJ age and timing

You must file Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, before your 21st birthday.

USCIS will only consider you for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) classification if it receives your petition while you are still under 21.

If you turn 21 before filing, you do not qualify for SIJ classification.

USCIS looks at your age on the date it receives your I-360, not when you start preparing it.

Basic age requirement checklist:

• You are under 21 years old
• USCIS receives your Form I-360 before your 21st birthday
• You clearly indicate the SIJ classification on the form

If you later apply for residency using Form I-485, you must first have an approved or pending SIJ-based I-360, as required by USCIS procedures.

Who counts as a special immigrant

“Special Immigrant” is a broad term in immigration law.

SIJ is only one category within this group.

You request SIJ classification by filing Form I-360 with USCIS.

This same form also covers other types of special immigrants, so you must ensure you select the correct basis for your petition.

The form includes multiple classifications:

USCIS will evaluate your case only under the classification you choose.

It will not automatically move your petition to a different category.

Choosing the correct category

You must carefully select Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) when completing Form I-360.

Form I-360 serves several immigration categories.

Choosing the wrong box can delay your case or lead to denial because USCIS will review your petition under the incorrect legal standard.

Before filing, confirm:

• You are filing Form I-360
• You selected Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ)
• You are filing before turning 21

If you later seek residency through Form I-485, USCIS will rely on the SIJ classification listed in your I-360.

Accuracy at the petition stage directly affects the rest of your immigration process.

You must pay specific USCIS filing fees and prepare for long adjudication timelines.

processing times vary widely by Form I-360 category and service center, and they directly affect when you can move forward with Form I-485 for lawful permanent residency.

I-360 filing fee and biometrics

USCIS charges a filing fee for Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant. As of February 2026, the fee is $515.

If biometrics are required, you’ll need to pay an $85 biometrics services fee. USCIS collects fingerprints, a photo, and a signature for background checks.

Fees are paid to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) when you submit your petition. Some applicants may qualify for a fee waiver under USCIS rules.

Approval of the I-360 doesn’t grant residency by itself. You’ll need to file Form I-485 to apply for lawful permanent residency when eligible.

I-360 processing times by category

USCIS processing times for Form I-360 depend on your eligibility category. The agency publishes estimated ranges through its official processing times tool.

As of January 2026, reported timeframes include:

Most SIJS petitions fall under the “all other special immigrants” category. That range currently spans more than three years.

You can’t receive a green card until USCIS approves your underlying I-360.

Notes on variability

Processing times shift depending on agency workload, staffing, and the specific USCIS service center. Two applicants in the same category might see different timelines.

USCIS updates its posted estimates regularly. Actual processing periods often run between 18 and 36 months, but some categories take longer.

Delays can extend your path to residency, especially if you must wait for I-360 approval before filing or completing Form I-

1. Plan for a multi-year process and keep your documentation valid while your petition is pending.

Submit documents that match your eligibility category and support every required element of your Form I-360 and, if applicable, your Form I-

1. USCIS expects clear proof of age, qualifying court findings, relationship, or abuse, depending on the classification you request.

SIJ-specific evidence (age, court order)

For Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) classification, you must prove your age and provide a qualifying court order.

Include:

• Birth certificate or other reliable proof of your date of birth
• Juvenile court order or administrative order that establishes your SIJ eligibility

Your court order must show the findings required for SIJ classification. Submit a complete copy of the signed order.

If you file Form I-360 for SIJ and later file Form I-485 to apply for Residency, keep copies of the same age evidence for both filings. USCIS will check for consistency.

Use the correct SIJ classification on Form I-

1. Don’t attach evidence meant for other special immigrant categories.

VAWA, widow(er), and other category evidence

If you file Form I-360 under a different category, submit evidence specific to that classification.

For a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petition, provide:

• Evidence that your abusive relative is or was a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
• Detailed evidence of abuse
• Any credible evidence supporting your eligibility

Use documents such as affidavits, police reports, or counseling records to show abuse. USCIS allows flexibility in the type of proof, but your evidence must directly support each eligibility requirement.

If you file as a widow or widower of a U.S. citizen, include:

• Proof of your qualifying relationship
• Evidence the relationship existed at the time of your spouse’s death
• Proof of your late spouse’s U.S. citizenship

Each Form I-360 category has different evidence rules. Select the correct classification and attach documents that match it.

Medical, civil, and alternative evidence

If you file Form I-485 for Residency, you must submit Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.

A designated civil surgeon must complete Form I-

1. Schedule the exam close to your filing date; outdated medical exams may be rejected.

You may also submit:

• Passport biographic page
• National identification card
• Other civil documents confirming identity or nationality

When primary documents are unavailable, USCIS may consider credible alternative evidence. Each document should clearly connect to a specific eligibility requirement in your Form I-360 or Form I-485.

Organize your filing in this order:

1. Form (I-360 or I-485)

2. Category-specific evidence

3. Identity and civil documents

4. Medical exam (if required)

Clear organization helps USCIS verify your eligibility more efficiently.

USCIS reviews your SIJS petition for accuracy, consistency, and completeness. Errors on Form I-360 or Form I-485, missing documents, or inaccurate disclosures can lead to rejection, a request for evidence (RFE), or denial of permanent residency.

Common reasons for rejection or denial

USCIS rejects filings that don’t meet basic procedural requirements. Rejection means the agency doesn’t accept your case for processing.

Common triggers include:

• Unsigned forms
• Incorrect filing fee or outdated form edition
• Wrong petition type or classification selected on Form I-360
• Missing required initial evidence
• Submitting Form I-485 before eligibility requirements are met

Denial occurs after review. USCIS may deny your I-360 or I-485 if you fail to provide required proof or if your information conflicts with official records.

Use this checklist before filing:

You carry the burden of proof. If evidence is missing, USCIS will not assume facts in your favor.

Disclosure and evidence pitfalls

USCIS expects complete disclosure of your immigration and criminal background. Omitting details can lead to denial or even allegations of fraud.

You’re required to list:

• All arrests and convictions
• Any prior immigration violations
• Every trip outside the United States

CBP travel records often come under review during adjudication. If your travel history doesn’t line up with what’s in government records, your credibility will be questioned.

Medical exam errors frequently cause delays. For Form I-485, make sure the I-693 is filled out and signed by a civil surgeon, and submitted within the proper timeframe. Submitting an outdated or missing medical exam usually triggers an RFE.

USCIS sends RFEs when evidence lacks detail or doesn’t clearly support your eligibility. Keep records organized and consistent. Affidavits need to match up with dates and official documents.

Inconsistent statements across forms, court papers, or supporting evidence can seriously undermine your case.

How adjudicators check and delay cases

USCIS officers compare your forms against internal databases and older filings. They look for consistency across your I-360, I-485, and any previous applications.

They also check:

1. Identity details on civil documents

2. Travel history against CBP data

3. Criminal disclosures against background checks

Discrepancies often result in an RFE or further review. Each round of questions adds more time to the process.

Missing required documents at filing causes delays too. An incomplete submission is usually rejected outright.

You can reduce delays by:

• Filing complete, signed forms
• Using the right edition and fee
• Disclosing all necessary history
• Including required initial evidence

USCIS bases your eligibility for lawful permanent residency on your submitted record. Accuracy and consistency are what move your case forward.