5 things to do while your asylum case is pending with USCIS

USCIS can take years to process and decide asylum cases. This delay is even longer for asylum seekers from 40 countries, whose cases have been paused. If you have an asylum case pending with USCIS, here are 5 things you can do while you wait. 

1. Check your case status regularly 

After you submit your asylum application to USCIS, you should check your case status every week. Enter the receipt number from your asylum application on the USCIS case status website.

After you submit your asylum application, USCIS should schedule a biometrics (or fingerprint) appointment, and eventually an asylum interview. Because USCIS is increasing security checks, you may be scheduled for another biometrics appointment even if you have already completed one in the past. The case status website should tell you if USCIS has sent you a notice for these appointments. Read about common messages on the case status website.  

The notices should arrive in your online USCIS account if you have one, or by mail if you do not. Check for new notices every week. If you move, you can change your address with USCIS to continue receiving notices.

2. Check if your annual asylum fee is due and pay on time

There is a new annual asylum fee for each year that an asylum application is pending. The fee is currently $102. USCIS is supposed to send you a notice when your annual asylum fee payment is due, with 30 days to pay. You can also check if your fee is due on this USCIS website. If the website says your fee is not due yet, you can keep checking the website every week. Find up-to-date information about the annual asylum fee and how to pay it here.

3. Renew your work permit 

You can apply for your initial work permit 150 days after you submit your asylum application to USCIS. You can apply to renew your work permit while your case is pending, and you may want to apply for renewal 1 year before the expiration date, to increase the chance that you will receive your new work permit before your current one expires. Learn how to renew.

For asylum seekers from 40 countries, USCIS has paused processing of renewal work permits. If you are from one of the 40 countries, you can still submit a renewal work permit application, but USCIS will not make a decision on it.

4. Continue to prepare for your interview

USCIS has begun sending some asylum applicants directly to immigration court without giving them an interview first. But if your case is not sent to immigration court, then you should still get an interview. To prepare for your interview:

• Try to gather evidence to support your asylum case. You should submit any additional evidence at least 14 days before your asylum interview.

• It can be helpful to find a lawyer who can help you prepare your asylum case. Even if you are not able to hire a lawyer to represent you, it can still be helpful to discuss your asylum case with a lawyer.

• Watch this video for more information about asylum interviews.

5. Sign up for ASAP membership to get free legal updates by text or email

Every month, the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) provides all members with free legal updates by email or text message – including information about how laws are changing. Signing up for ASAP membership is completely free for asylum seekers in the United States.