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USCISOther I Forms

Official form guide

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

USCIS Form I-360 is used to petition for special immigrant status, including Amerasians, widows/widowers of U.S. citizens, and other qualifying individuals. This form should be filed when someone qualifies under one of the special immigrant categories as defined by U.S. immigration law.

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Form Overview

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

USCIS Form I-360 is used to petition for special immigrant status, including Amerasians, widows/widowers of U.S. citizens, and other qualifying individuals. This form should be filed when someone qualifies under one of the special immigrant categories as defined by U.S. immigration law.

The form captures personal information, details about the qualifying relationship or circumstance, and supporting evidence that establishes eligibility for one of the special immigrant categories.

Risk Radar

Scan points
  • 1Using an outdated version of Form I-360 will result in immediate rejection of your petition.
  • 2Inadequate documentation of qualifying relationship
  • 3Missing evidence of good moral character for certain categories
  • 4Incorrect fee payment or fee waiver request
  • 5Failure to address prior immigration violations

Plain English

Form I-360 helps certain people with special connections to the U.S. get permanent residency. This includes children of U.S. citizens born in specific countries, spouses who lost their U.S. citizen spouse, and others with qualifying relationships. You'll need detailed documentation proving your eligibility.

Submission Date

  • Filing date: File Form I-360 when you've established eligibility for a special immigrant category and are ready to begin the immigration process. There's no annual deadline for most categories, but processing times vary significantly.
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

permanentpetitionincludes

Hover a term to preview the meaning.

What this form is for

  • Use this form when you qualify as an Amerasian, widow(er) of a U.S. citizen, or other special immigrant category
  • Do not use this form for family-based petitions that use Form I-130
  • Check Form I-130 if you are an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen (spouse, parent, or unmarried child under 21)

Form selector

Use this form or another form?

Immediate relative petition

Different eligibility criteria and process

✓ Verify relationship qualifies as immediate relative

Form I-130

Asylum application

For those seeking protection based on persecution

✓ Ensure you're not eligible for asylum before proceeding

Form I-589

VAWA self-petition

For victims of abuse by U.S. citizens/LPRs

✓ Confirm abuse meets legal definition for VAWA

Form I-360 with specific sections

Deadline or filing window

There is no annual deadline or cap for most special immigrant categories. However, some categories may have specific eligibility timeframes that must be met. Processing times vary significantly by category and current USCIS workload, typically ranging from several months to over two years.

  • —Age calculation | Current date - birth date | Age at filing | Must be exact age for certain categories
  • —Residency duration | End date - start date | Years of continuous residence | Must meet minimum requirement for widow(er) category

Checklist

What you need before filling it out

1

Part 1: Personal Information

Birth certificate, passport, government ID · Personal documents

⚠ Inconsistent dates between documents✕ High
2

Part 2: Petition Basis

Marriage certificate, death certificate, proof of relationship · Family records

⚠ Failure to document qualifying relationship✕ High
3

Part 3: Employment History

Tax returns, pay stubs, employment verification · Financial records

⚠ Gaps in employment without explanation✕ Medium
4

Part 4: Residence History

Lease agreements, utility bills, bank statements · Address documentation

⚠ Inconsistent addresses on documents✕ Medium
5

Part 5: Criminal History

Court documents, arrest records, police reports · Legal records

⚠ Failure to disclose all arrests✕ High
6

Part 6: Good Moral Character

Reference letters, character evidence, no criminal record · Personal testimonials

⚠ Insufficient evidence for character assessment✕ Medium

Before you submit

  1. 1Verify you have the latest edition of Form I-360 (08/23/23Y)
  2. 2Complete all sections relevant to your category
  3. 3Include required supporting documents for your specific immigrant category
  4. 4Check that all signatures are present and properly notarized where required
  5. 5Verify fee payment is correct for your category and payment method
  6. 6Make copies of your entire application before mailing
  7. 7Include a cover letter explaining your case and category
  8. 8Check that photos meet USCIS specifications if required for your category
  9. 9Ensure all translations are certified if submitting documents in another language
  10. 10Review for completeness - no blank sections unless marked 'N/A'

How to file this form

  1. 1Complete Form I-360 with accurate information for your specific category
  2. 2Gather all required supporting documents and evidence
  3. 3Pay the correct filing fee or properly request a fee waiver
  4. 4Mail the complete package to the correct USCIS address based on your location and category
  5. 5Include a copy of your green card if you have one
  6. 6Send the package with trackable mail
  7. 7Keep a copy of everything you submit
  8. 8Wait for receipt notice before taking any further action

Known limitations

  1. 1Form I-360 does not guarantee approval; eligibility must be established with evidence
  2. 2Some categories require the petitioner to be admissible to the U.S.
  3. 3Processing times cannot be predicted and may change without notice
  4. 4USCIS may request additional evidence at any time during processing
  5. 5Approval does not immediately grant lawful status; follow-on applications may be required
  6. 6Some categories have numerical limitations that may create backlogs

Field map

Compact field-by-field guide

7 fields

Applicant Info

3 items

Full Legal Name

Your current legal name.

Requiredtext
Date of Birth

MM/DD/YYYY.

Requireddate
A-Number

Alien Registration Number if previously assigned.

text

Details

1 items

Basis for Application

The specific reason or legal basis for filing this form.

Requiredtext

Evidence

1 items

Supporting Documentation

List of documents supporting this application.

Requiredtext

Signatures

2 items

Applicant Signature

Sign under penalty of perjury.

Requiredsignature
Date of Signature

MM/DD/YYYY.

Requireddate
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Current form status
USCIS

Form I-360 is currently in edition 08/23/23Y. Check the USCIS website for any updates before filing, as form requirements and processing procedures may change.

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Edition date must be 08/23/23Y or newer
  • Fee amount varies by category (check current USCIS fee schedule)
  • Mailing address depends on your location and category
  • Electronic filing option available for some petitioners
  • Form must be signed in blue or black ink if submitting by paper
  • Include all required supplements for specific categories

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Quick Facts

The form is filed by the qualifying individual (self-petition) or by a qualifying relative/employer on behalf of the individual seeking special immigrant status.
The form captures personal information, details about the qualifying relationship or circumstance, and supporting evidence that establishes eligibility for one of the special immigrant categories.
File Form I-360 when you've established eligibility for a special immigrant category and are ready to begin the immigration process. There's no annual deadline for most categories, but processing times vary significantly.
Submit by mail to the appropriate USCIS lockbox facility based on your location and category, or electronically if available for your specific case type.
Mistakes can result in denial, significant processing delays, or requests for evidence that extend the timeline. Incomplete or incorrect information may require restarting the process entirely.
Complete the form with accurate personal information and details about your qualifying status. Gather supporting documentation that proves your eligibility. Pay the required filing fee or request a fee waiver if eligible. Submit the completed form with all supporting documents to the appropriate USCIS address.

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After you file

  1. 1Keep all original documents and copies of your submission
  2. 2Monitor your mail for the receipt notice (I-797C)
  3. 3Create a filing log with dates and tracking information
  4. 4Respond promptly to any Requests for Evidence (RFE)
  5. 5Check your case status online using the receipt number
  6. 6Maintain your current immigration status while waiting
  7. 7Prepare for potential biometrics appointment
  8. 8Consult with an immigration attorney if you receive a denial notice

Sources

  • SRCForm edition confirmed as 08/23/23Y
  • SRCFee amounts vary by category (not specified in source)
  • SRCFiling addresses depend on location and category (not specified in source)
  • SRCProcessing times vary by category (not found in provided source)
  • SRCElectronic filing available for some petitioners (not found in provided source)
  • SRCForm requires supporting documents specific to category (confirmed in source)
  • SRCSome categories require proof of good moral character (confirmed in source)
  • SRCPetitioners must be admissible to U.S. (not found in provided source)

Common confusion points

Self-petition vs. petitioner filing

Some categories allow self-filing while others require a petitioner

→ Check the specific requirements for your category

Widow(er) vs. VAWA categories

Both use Form I-360 but have different eligibility criteria

→ Determine if your qualifying relationship is through marriage or abuse

Amerasian definition

Specific requirements for children of U.S. fathers in certain Asian countries

→ Verify birth location and paternity documentation

Special immigrant vs. other categories

Form I-360 is for specific categories only

→ Confirm you don't qualify for a more straightforward family-based petition

Fee waiver eligibility

Different criteria based on financial hardship

→ Review USCIS guidelines for fee waivers before applying

Workflow map

Related forms and next steps

8 signals

Before

Form I-130 (for family-based petitions not covered by I-360)Medical examination results (Form I-693)

Current

I-360

After

Form I-765 (work authorization) and Form I-131 (travel document)Green card production notice

Often used with

Form I-485 (adjustment of status) or Form I-589 (asylum) depending on categoryBiometrics appointment notice

⚠ If something goes wrong

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Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
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