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Form I-290B: Notice of Appeal or Motion
USCIS Form I-290B is used to file an appeal with the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) or a motion with USCIS for eligible immigration benefits. For appeals of petition approval, you must file within 30 calendar days.
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USCIS Form I-290B - Notice of Appeal or Motion
USCIS Form I-290B is used to file an appeal with the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) or a motion with USCIS for eligible immigration benefits. For appeals of petition approval, you must file within 30 calendar days.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Do not mail Form I-290B directly to the address listed on Page 8 without checking current routing instructions.
- 2Failing to provide a full English translation for foreign documents submitted.
- 3Not certifying the completeness and accuracy of the foreign language translation.
- 4Filing without providing an A-Number when one exists (Item 4).
- 5Submitting original documents that are not required or requested by USCIS.
Plain English
This form allows someone to formally challenge a decision made by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It is used either to appeal that decision to the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) or to request a specific action from the local USCIS office. Schools can also use Form I-290B regarding denials of Form I-17.
Submission Date
- Filing date: For all cases, an appeal or motion must be filed within 30 calendar days of the decision date, unless the decision was mailed to you, in which case the deadline is 33 calendar days.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when filing an appeal with the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) or a motion with the issuing USCIS office.
- Do not use it when appealing directly with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) or for discretionary Adam Walsh Act (AWA) 'no-risk' determinations.
- Check Form I-694 instead when filing an appeal for Special Agricultural Worker or Legalization applications.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Appealing to BIA
The BIA has jurisdiction over appeals of Form I-130 and Form I-360.
✓ Check www.uscis.gov/eoir-29 for the form.
Appealing Special Agricultural Worker or Legalization Applications
These specific applications require filing on this form, not Form I-290B.
✓ Check www.uscis.gov/i-694 to confirm.
Deadline or filing window
For most cases, the appeal or motion must be filed within 30 calendar days of the decision. If USCIS mailed the unfavorable decision, the deadline extends to 33 calendar days. An extension is not explicitly mentioned in this general instruction excerpt.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
General Evidence
All evidence and supporting documents listed in the Instructions must be submitted. · Instructions booklet sections
Foreign Language Document
A full English translation must accompany any foreign language document. · Instructions p.3
Translator Certification
Must include signature, printed name, signature date, and contact information of the translator. · Instructions p.3
Filing Fee Information
See Form G-1055 for applicable fees. · Instructions p.2
Before you submit
- 1Indicate clearly whether the filing is an appeal to the AAO or a motion (cannot file both on one form).
- 2Ensure the signature is valid and handwritten ink from the original document.
- 3If submitting foreign documents, include a complete English translation with translator certification.
- 4Submit all evidence listed in the Instructions booklet sections.
- 5Check if the letter explains specifically why an oral argument is necessary (if requesting it).
- 6Confirm you are not appealing a discretionary Adam Walsh Act 'no-risk' determination using this form.
- 7Verify that the Immigration Form subject matches one of the eligible types.
How to file this form
- 1Complete all required fields on USCIS Form I-290B, indicating if filing an appeal or motion.
- 2Attach all necessary evidence and supporting documents as listed in the Instructions.
- 3If submitting foreign language materials, include a fully certified English translation.
- 4Sign the form using original handwritten ink (or provide a valid scan/copy).
- 5Determine the correct filing location via www.uscis.gov/i-290b.
- 6Submit the completed and signed Form I-290B to the designated USCIS office or Service Center, ensuring you retain a copy.
Known limitations
- 1Form I-290B does not apply to appeals filed with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA); use Form EOIR-29 for BIA appeals.
- 2Form I-290B cannot be used to appeal a discretionary Adam Walsh Act (AWA) “no-risk” determination directly to either the BIA or AAO; instead, file a motion with the issuing office.
- 3For Special Agricultural Worker or Legalization applications, use Form I-694 for appeals instead of Form I-290B.
- 4If filing as an individual, Item Number 2 (Date of Birth) must be completed; do not complete it if a business or organization is filing.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Petitioner Info
3 items
Your current legal name as it appears on your Green Card or U.S. passport.
Your date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY).
Your Green Card number (A-Number) if a permanent resident, or USCIS online account number.
Beneficiary Info
3 items
Full legal name of the relative you are petitioning for.
Date of birth of the relative (MM/DD/YYYY).
Alien Registration Number of the beneficiary if previously assigned.
Relationship
1 items
Select the qualifying relationship: spouse, unmarried child under 21, unmarried child over 21, married child, parent, or sibling.
Evidence
1 items
List of documents establishing the qualifying relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.).
Signatures
2 items
Your signature certifying all information is correct under penalty of perjury.
Date you signed the form (MM/DD/YYYY).
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The current edition of USCIS Form I-290B is dated 05/31/24, and the instructions were last updated on that same date; additional information regarding where to file is directed to www.uscis.gov/i-290b/
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the revision date reads 05/31/24.
- Filing Fee — check Form G-1055 for specific fee information, as it is not listed on this form.
- Where to File — see www.uscis.gov/i-290b for current filing locations; DO NOT file directly with the AAO.
- Signature — ensure the signature is original handwritten ink (photocopies/scans of originals are valid).
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Retain a copy of the completed Form I-290B after submission.
- 2USCIS will check the form for completeness upon acceptance; failure to complete properly may lead to rejection or denial.
- 3USCIS may request more information or evidence to support the filing, including originals of submitted copies.
- 4If an oral argument is requested with the AAO, the U.S. Government does not provide interpreters.
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.1 — The primary purpose of Form I-290B is to file an appeal with the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) or a motion with the USCIS office that issued the latest decision.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — A filer must not use Form I-290B to file an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA); use Form EOIR-29 for BIA appeals.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — If appealing a discretionary Adam Walsh Act (AWA) “no-risk” determination, the filer must file a motion with the office that issued the adverse determination instead of using I-290B directly.
- SRCInstructions p.3 — Item Number 4 (Alien Registration Number/A-Number) begins with an 'A' and is used by USCIS to identify immigration records.
- SRCInstructions p.4 — Item Number 5 (USCIS Online Account Number/OAN) is only available if a previously filed form has a receipt number starting with IOE.
- SRCInstructions p.6 — The filer must not file Form I-290B directly with the AAO; current filing locations are detailed on www.uscis.gov/i-290b.
- SRCInstructions p.8 — The mailing address for Citizenship and Immigration Services, Office of Policy and Strategy is 5900 Capital Gateway Drive, Mail Stop #2140, Camp Springs, MD 20588-0009 (but do not mail the form here).
Common confusion points
Do I file this appeal/motion directly with the AAO?
No; the filer must see www.uscis.gov/i-290b for current filing locations and submit it there.
What is the difference between an A-Number and a USCIS Online Account Number (OAN)?
The A-Number begins with 'A' and identifies records from DHS/USCIS; the OAN is specific to filings that have a receipt number starting with IOE.
When do I need to fill out Item 2 (Date of Birth)?
Complete it if filing as an individual; leave it blank if a business or organization is filing.
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Questions about USCIS Form I-290B
What is USCIS Form I-290B used for?
This form allows someone to formally challenge a decision made by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It is used either to appeal that decision to the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) or to request a specific action from the local USCIS office. Schools can also use Form I-290B regarding denials of Form I-17.
Who must file USCIS Form I-290B?
Individuals, businesses, and organizations must file Form I-290B depending on who is submitting it.
What information does USCIS Form I-290B require?
The form collects personal identifying information such as Date of Birth (Item 2) and Alien Registration Number (A-Number) (Item 4). It also captures the USCIS Online Account Number (OAN) (Item 5) and desired Mailing Address (Items 6.a.-6.i.).
When is USCIS Form I-290B due?
For all cases, an appeal or motion must be filed within 30 calendar days of the decision date, unless the decision was mailed to you, in which case the deadline is 33 calendar days.
Where do I file USCIS Form I-290B?
The form should generally be filed according to current instructions found at www.uscis.gov/i-290b; specifically, do not file it directly with the AAO.
How do I complete USCIS Form I-290B?
Fill out all required items, ensuring that if you are an individual, Item 2 (Date of Birth) is complete. If filing as a business/organization, provide its name in Item 3. Finally, ensure any foreign language document includes a certified English translation before submitting the form.
What happens if USCIS Form I-290B is filed incorrectly?
If Form I-290B is improperly completed, USCIS may reject or deny the form and will not establish a basis for eligibility.
Do I file this appeal/motion directly with the AAO?
No; the filer must see www.uscis.gov/i-290b for current filing locations and submit it there.
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