In the United States, there are several methods that immigrants can use under U.S. laws to become lawful permanent residents and then naturalize as citizens. These laws could be complicated for the layperson. But in every case, if you want a successful application, you must follow the proper procedures irrespective of the complexities.

Green card application forms are pretty standard. So, unless you follow the most up-to-date procedures and laws, you can easily make mistakes that might cause delays in your application process. Depending on the seriousness of the error, your case might be denied.

This is why you must pay attention to every detail throughout the application process. So, read on to find common immigration mistakes people make. This will help you avoid them.

1.  Not using the right help

Immigration applications are pretty complex. Due to this, you can easily make little mistakes that might end up delaying the process of your immigration application. This is why you must work with knowledgeable and experienced people who know what to do and are committed to ensuring your success.

So, say you intend to file an immigration application from Louisiana, Louisiana - based immigration attorneys would be in the best position to help you through the process. Immigration application isn't a learning experience where you can make teachable mistakes.

An inaccurate and misfiled information can cost you your application. Though professional help might seem very costly, the elimination of additional fees and time lost that would have occurred due to the misfiling of an application would make hiring an attorney worthwhile.

2.  Not submitting every paperwork

The immigration application process involves government forms. But, you are also required to submit other paperwork called supporting evidence. These documents are paperwork that can help prove something about you. For instance, a utility bill would prove that you have an address.

A marriage certificate would show that your marriage is valid, and an arrival-departure record shows that you legally entered the country. You are required to only submit copies of these supporting documents, except the USCIS specifically requested for the original.

So, when submitting your immigration application, you must ensure that you submit every required supporting evidence. An excellent idea would be to have a checklist. This will help you know what you need, so you don't miss out on anything.

3.  Not filing your criminal history

During the immigration application process, the USCIS would run a background check as part of the application process. So, you must assume that the Department of Homeland Security would find out and know about any criminal history you might have.

So, if you aren't sure of your criminal history, maybe because it happened long ago or there are several arrests, and you can't keep count, then you need to hire an experienced immigration lawyer. The lawyer would help you perform a background check, check records, and provide a legal opinion on the potential consequences of the criminal records.

If you consult with an immigration lawyer and then file your application, its success would hugely depend on perfectly answering specific questions and providing the correct documents. In all these, the advice of an immigration lawyer would be invaluable.

4.  Giving false information

Sometimes, you can accidentally provide the wrong information in your application. However, the USCIS would not accept such an application even if it was a mistake.

Due to the high stakes involved in naturalization and immigration applications, it is pretty standard for people who give wrong information to defend it as an honest mistake. This is why the USCIS is very suspicious of any misrepresentative or inaccurate information.

As stated above, failing to provide criminal records would likely be seen as you intentionally hiding information that would be damaging. Missing historical details or incorrect dates will also be seen as evidence of you purposely misleading the government officials.

This is why you must be very careful to double-check every piece of information you provide in your application and your supporting evidence.

5.  Not signing your application

Sometimes, people tend to forget to sign their application in the right place. Unfortunately, forgetting to sign your document correctly can be quite frequent. This might be due to the complicated and lengthy nature of the applications. Depending on your application type, there might be about three or more places where you need to sign your name.

For instance, in naturalization applications, there are places where you (the applicant) would need to sign at the time of filing. There is also a place for the translator and attorney to sign. Also, you must sign at the time of the examination.

In the case of an adjustment of status immigration application, there are forms that only the Petitioner, the Beneficiary, and joint sponsor for affidavit support must sign. When a wrong signature occurs, it can lead to delays. It can even result in your case being denied.

Sometimes, you might even sign on every dotted line, but there is a chance that you placed the wrong signature on the line. So based on your confidence level, you can avoid this problem by double-checking your application forms.

But, if you are bothered by making mistakes, you should hire an experienced attorney familiar with immigration processes. They would help you save time and money and also avoid these issues.

6.  Sending wrong payment for filing fees

Most forms that you would submit to the United States government for immigration benefits need payment for a filing fee. You can not start processing your paperwork unless it contains the right filing fee amount in United States Dollars.

Filing fees periodically change, so it is vital that you know the appropriate amount and then add it to the filing. Your application will be rejected if it does not contain the proper filing fee.

Conclusion

The United States of America is well known for accepting foreign immigrants from different countries. They even have a larger immigration population when compared to most countries. The primary aim of most immigrants is to either become U.S. citizens, obtain dual citizenship or get a green card.

However, it would be best to avoid common mistakes you might make during your application process. Having errors in your application can reduce your chances of success. So, you must know the rules to ensure your immigration application is successful.

Understanding the above mentioned mistakes will help you know what mistakes you shouldn't make in your application process.