Find Your Form

Form I-589 Instruction Guide

Home · Page

Form I-589 is the application used to ask for asylum in the United States and for withholding of removal. It also includes questions about protection under the Convention Against Torture.

This guide walks through the 12-page paper Form I-589, edition 07/28/26 (July 28, 2026), in the order the questions appear. It explains what the questions mean, whose information belongs in each section, and what you will need to gather.

Throughout this guide, you means the person applying in Part A.I. When the form asks about your spouse, children, or other relatives, we point that out. The online application may present the questions differently.

Use this guide alongside the current USCIS Form I-589 page, official form, and official instructions. This guide explains the form; it does not decide whether you qualify for protection or which answers apply to your circumstances.

Reviewed October 3, 2026. Filing procedures and fees can change. Check the current USCIS notices before you file.

Jump to a Section

Before You Start

Before you begin filling out Form I-589, it helps to understand a few things about the form and gather the information you’re likely to need. You don’t need to have every document in front of you before you start, but having your records nearby can make the form much easier to work through.

What is the difference between asylum and withholding of removal?

Both involve protection from being sent to a country where you fear harm, but they are different forms of protection.

Asylum can allow you to remain and work in the United States and may eventually lead to permanent residence. If your spouse or child qualifies to be included in your asylum application, they may also be able to receive asylum through your case.

Withholding of removal prevents you from being removed to a particular country. Unlike asylum, it does not itself provide a path to a Green Card, and your spouse or children do not receive protection automatically through your case. You could also still be removed to another country.

You may also see protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT) mentioned on Form I-589. CAT is another form of protection for someone who fears being tortured if returned to a particular country. It does not provide permanent immigration status.

These distinctions help you understand what the form is referring to. They do not determine which type of protection you may qualify for.

Do I file Form I-589 with USCIS or immigration court?

That depends on whether you are in immigration court proceedings and on your filing history.

An asylum application filed with USCIS is generally called an affirmative asylum application. An application made as a defense in immigration court is generally called a defensive asylum application.

If you are currently in immigration court proceedings, you generally file with the court rather than USCIS. There are exceptions and special filing rules, including rules involving unaccompanied children, dismissed or terminated court proceedings, and certain previous asylum applications.

If you’re not sure where your application belongs, don’t guess. Use the USCIS I-589 Filing Instructions Tool and the Where to File information on the USCIS Form I-589 page. If your immigration or court records still don’t make the answer clear, this is a good point to get help from a qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative.

Is there a deadline for filing Form I-589?

Generally, you must apply for asylum within one year after arriving in the United States.

There are exceptions, including certain changed circumstances that affect asylum eligibility and extraordinary circumstances related to a delay in filing. Whether an exception applies depends on the particular circumstances.

You’ll see this issue again in Part C, Question 5, which asks whether you are filing more than one year after your last arrival and, if so, why.

If you may be approaching or have already passed the one-year deadline, don’t put off dealing with it while you work through the rest of the form. A filing deadline or possible exception is a good reason to speak with a qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative promptly.

What should I gather before I start?

Having your records nearby can save you a lot of backtracking. Depending on your circumstances, you may want to gather:

  • Your passports, travel documents, I-94 records, and immigration notices, if you have them.
  • Names, dates, addresses, and immigration information for your spouse and all of your children.
  • Your address and employment histories for the last five years, your education history, and information about your parents and siblings.
  • Information about the events the form asks you to describe, along with any supporting records you reasonably have available.
  • Previous asylum or refugee applications, immigration court papers, and records of travel or lawful status in other countries, if they apply to you.

These records can help you check names, dates, addresses, and other details as you work through the form.

You do not necessarily need to have every supporting document before you begin. And if you are dealing with a filing deadline, don’t delay addressing that deadline simply because you are still collecting documents.

What if I don’t know an answer or can’t remember an exact date?

The I-589 instructions allow you to use “None,” “Not applicable,” or “Unknown” when appropriate—but those answers mean different things.

“Unknown” means you do not know the answer. It does not mean that something never happened.

If you cannot remember an exact date, first check any records you have that might help. If you still don’t know the exact date, explain what you do remember rather than inventing a date just to fill the box. You can use Supplement B when you need additional space.

Complete the form in English and follow the date format shown for each question. Some questions ask for month, day, and year, while some of the background-history tables ask only for month and year.

One important point: Don’t assume you can leave an explanation incomplete and fill in the missing details later at an interview. The current form warns that USCIS may decide or refer an application without first interviewing you or asking for more evidence. Make your written answers as complete and accurate as you reasonably can when you file.

Part A.I: Information About You

What is the Convention Against Torture box at the top of page 1?

This box identifies a request for withholding of removal under the Convention Against Torture, often called CAT. The instructions tell you to check it when applying for that protection and to explain your fear of torture in Part B, Question 4.

The box and the explanation work together. Checking the box does not replace the rest of the application. We explain the torture question in Part B below.

Questions 1–3: Which identification numbers go here?

Enter your own A-Number or A-Numbers, U.S. Social Security number, and USCIS Online Account Number, if you have them. Each has its own field.

Your A-Number identifies your immigration record. Your USCIS Online Account Number identifies an account. A receipt number identifies a particular case. They are not interchangeable. Copy the number from a record with the matching label.

If you have not been assigned an A-Number, do not use someone else’s. The instructions say USCIS will assign one if you do not already have one.

Questions 4–7: Do I include names I used before?

Yes. After your last, first, and middle names, Question 7 asks for other names you have used, including maiden names and aliases. An alias is another name you have used; it does not have to be a court-approved name change.

Compare the names on your identity documents and earlier immigration records. Use extra space if needed rather than leaving out another name because it will not fit.

Questions 8–9: What is the difference between my residence and mailing address?

Your residence is where you physically live in the United States. Your mailing address is where you receive mail. If they are different, enter them separately.

For example, if you live at one address but receive mail through your sister at another address, Question 8 asks for your home. Question 9 can show the mailing address, with your sister’s name in the “In Care Of” field.

A post office box belongs in the mailing-address field, not in place of the street address where you live. Check the apartment number, ZIP code, and telephone information carefully.

Questions 10–17: Which birth, citizenship, and background information is requested?

These questions ask about your sex, marital status, date and place of birth, present nationality, nationality at birth, race or ethnic or tribal group, and religion. Use the choices and fields on this form.

Your country of birth and present nationality or citizenship may be different. Question 15 separately asks what your nationality was when you were born. For the country of birth in Question 13, the I-589 instructions specifically say to use the country’s current name.

Race, ethnic or tribal group, and religion are separate questions. They are not asking for your immigration status. If you have more than one nationality or need to explain an answer that will not fit, use Supplement B.

Question 18: Have I been in immigration court proceedings?

USCIS is asking whether you have never been in immigration court proceedings, are in them now, or were in them in the past. Choose the description that matches your actual case history.

A USCIS interview and an immigration court hearing are different events. Check your hearing notices, Notices to Appear, and court orders rather than relying on what someone informally called your case.

This answer also matters to where you file. If you do not know whether proceedings are still pending, have the records reviewed before assuming your case has ended.

Question 19: Which departures, arrivals, and I-94 information do I list?

There are three separate requests: when you last left your country, your current I-94 number if any, and each entry into the United States, starting with the most recent. The entry list asks for the date, place, and status; the most recent entry also has a status-expiration field.

The date you left your country may be different from the date you entered the United States. Do not make them the same if you spent time elsewhere between those events.

An I-94 is an Arrival/Departure Record. Its number is different from a passport number, visa number, A-Number, or receipt number. The instructions say to enter “None” if you did not receive an I-94. They say to enter “No Inspection” in the status section of Question 19.c if you entered without inspection by an immigration officer.

Use your entry records for the date and status information. A visa’s expiration date does not necessarily tell you when your authorized stay ends. If your record shows “D/S,” that means duration of status rather than a calendar expiration date; do not invent a date to replace it.

Tip: The form has only a few entry lines. Use additional sheets for the remaining entries instead of shortening your travel history to fit.

Questions 20–22: Which passport or travel document is requested?

These questions ask which country issued your last passport or travel document, the applicable document number, and the expiration date. Read the labels carefully so you do not put a visa number in the passport field.

This question is separate from the supporting-document requirement to provide copies of all passports or travel documents in your possession. We cover those copies below.

Questions 23–25: What does “fluent” mean here?

USCIS asks for your native language, including dialect if applicable, whether you are fluent in English, and other languages you speak fluently. Answer based on your actual ability to communicate in those languages.

Knowing a few English phrases is different from being able to understand detailed questions and explain your answers in English. The application still needs to be completed in English, and a scheduled asylum interview has separate interpreter requirements.

Part A.II: Information About Your Spouse and Children

Do I list my spouse even if they are not applying with me?

Yes. This part asks for information about your spouse even if your spouse is outside the United States or is not being included in your asylum application. If you are not married, the form provides a box directing you to the children section.

Use your spouse’s identification numbers, names, birth information, citizenship, and other requested details. The marriage date and place refer to your marriage, not when you met or began living together.

Question 15 asks whether your spouse is in the United States. If Yes, complete Questions 16–24. If No, give the location as requested.

Can I include my spouse in my I-589 application?

The instructions allow you to include your spouse if your spouse is physically present in the United States. Question 24 asks whether you want your spouse included. Listing your spouse’s name earlier does not answer that separate question.

If you are filing in immigration court, the judge may not have authority to grant asylum to a spouse who is not also in proceedings. A complicated court or family situation needs individual review.

You will also need the required relationship evidence, including a marriage certificate and proof that any prior marriages ended.

Do I list children who are adults or live outside the United States?

Yes. Part A.II asks you to list all of your children, even if they are adults, married, outside the United States, or filing their own applications. The instructions also include stepchildren, adopted children, and children who have died.

Here’s the important distinction: listing a child is different from including that child in your application for asylum.

For example, you still list your married 25-year-old daughter who lives abroad. Listing her does not make her a dependent on your asylum application.

Enter the total number of children where requested. The main form has room for four. Use Supplement A or additional sheets containing the same requested information for any others.

Which children can be included in my asylum application?

The instructions generally allow you to include an unmarried child under 21 who is physically present in the United States. The form asks separately whether each child is in the United States and whether the child is to be included.

For a child in the United States, complete the entry, current-status, authorized-stay, and court-proceedings questions. Use the child’s records, not your own. Question 21 is the separate inclusion question.

Married children and children who are already 21 or older generally need their own applications rather than being included as dependents. If a child is nearing 21, has turned 21 while a case is pending, or has a complicated family or court history, get qualified help with the applicable age and relationship rules. Do not decide from age alone.

Watch out: Asylum’s family-member rules do not mean that a grant of withholding of removal or CAT protection automatically covers your spouse or children. Those protections do not provide the same dependent benefits.

What if my spouse or child is outside the United States?

List the person and provide the location information requested. Being listed on your I-589 does not itself bring that person to the United States.

If asylum is later granted, Form I-730 may provide a separate process for a qualifying spouse or child. Form I-130 is a different family-petition process; it is not a substitute for listing family members on I-589. The Form I-130 Instruction Guide explains that form’s purpose.

Part A.III: Information About Your Background

Question 1: Which address outside the United States do I give?

Start with the last address where you lived before coming to the United States. If that address was not in the country where you fear persecution, also list your last address in the country where you fear persecution.

For example, if you lived in one country, then lived in a second country before entering the United States, the question may call for two addresses. It is asking about where you lived, not only your last departure airport.

Provide the address details and dates requested. Use Supplement B if the printed rows are not enough.

Question 2: How do I list my five-year address history?

List your residences during the past five years, starting with your present address and working backward. Include places where you lived inside and outside the United States.

Use the month/year columns to show when you lived at each address. A mailing address where someone collected your mail does not become a residence unless you actually lived there.

Tip: Make a timeline first. Then check for missing periods and accidentally reversed dates before copying it onto the form.

Question 3: Does my education history cover only five years?

No five-year limit is printed for the education question. List your education beginning with the most recent school you attended, giving the school’s name, type, location, and attendance dates.

The five-year wording appears in the address and employment questions. Do not carry that limit into the education question just because it sits between them.

Question 4: How do I list employment, self-employment, or unemployment?

List your employment during the past five years, with your present employment first. The table asks for the employer’s name and address, your occupation, and the dates.

Your employer is the person or business you worked for. Your occupation is the work you did. For example, “ABC Restaurant” could be the employer and “cook” the occupation.

Describe self-employment accurately instead of treating it as unemployment. If you were unemployed, make that period clear rather than inventing an employer. If two jobs overlapped, keep the true dates. Use Supplement B when you need more room.

Question 5: What information do I give about my parents and siblings?

Provide the requested names, places of birth, and current locations for your mother, father, and siblings. Check the deceased box for a person who has died.

This is a separate family list from the spouse-and-children section. Include additional siblings on Supplement B if necessary. If you do not know someone’s current location, say so rather than guessing.

Part B: Information About Your Application

Part B is where Form I-589 changes direction.

Up to this point, you’ve mostly been providing background information—who you are, where you’ve lived, your family, your work history, and similar details.

Now USCIS wants to understand why you are asking for protection.

Some of these questions ask about difficult or painful experiences. Take them one at a time. Read exactly what each question is asking, answer as completely and truthfully as you can, and use additional space when you need it.

What do the boxes for race, religion, nationality, political opinion, and particular social group mean?

At the beginning of Part B, USCIS asks why you are seeking asylum or other protection. The form gives you several boxes to choose from:

  • Race
  • Religion
  • Nationality
  • Political opinion
  • Membership in a particular social group
  • Torture Convention

You can check more than one box if more than one applies.

For an asylum claim, the first five boxes are asking about why you believe you were harmed or why you fear being harmed. They are not simply asking you to repeat your race, religion, nationality, or other personal information from Part A.

For example, checking “religion” means that you believe your religion is connected to the harm you experienced or fear. It is not simply asking whether you have a religion.

Some of these terms have specific legal meanings. Persecution, for example, means more than simply being treated unfairly or having a frightening or unpleasant experience. Membership in a particular social group is also a legal category—it does not mean that any group you belong to automatically qualifies.

You do not need to turn this section into a legal essay. Your job is to describe your actual experiences and answer the factual questions that follow as clearly as you can.

If you are unsure which legal ground applies to your circumstances—or whether your experiences meet the legal requirements for asylum—that is something a qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative can help you evaluate. This guide can explain the boxes, but it cannot choose one for you.

What is USCIS asking in Part B, Question 1.A about past harm or threats?

This question is looking backward. USCIS wants to know about harm, mistreatment, or threats that have already happened.

And notice that the question is not limited to things that happened directly to you. It also asks about harm, mistreatment, or threats involving your family or close friends or colleagues.

If your answer is Yes, USCIS wants you to explain:

  • What happened.
  • When it happened.
  • Who caused the harm, mistreatment, or threats.
  • Why you believe it happened.

Think of those as the basic pieces of the story USCIS is asking you to provide.

Be clear about who experienced each event. If something happened to you personally, say so. If something happened to a family member, friend, or colleague, make that clear too.

The same applies to how you know about an event. If you personally saw or experienced something, you can describe what you remember. If someone else told you what happened, explain that rather than writing as though you witnessed it yourself.

And don’t feel that you have to manufacture precision that you don’t have. If you genuinely cannot remember an exact date, explain what you do remember. If you do not know exactly who was responsible for something or why they did it, don’t turn a guess into a fact.

The form asks why you believe the event occurred. Explain the facts or circumstances that led you to that belief.

What is the difference between Question 1.A and Question 1.B?

This distinction is important.

Question 1.A looks backward: What has already happened?

Question 1.B looks forward: What are you afraid will happen if you return?

If you answer Yes to Question 1.B, USCIS wants you to explain the harm or mistreatment you fear, who you believe would be responsible, and why you believe you would or could be harmed.

Your answer about something that happened in the past may help explain why you are afraid to return, but it does not automatically answer the second question.

A simple way to keep the two questions straight is:

1.A: What happened?

1.B: What are you afraid will happen?

Make sure you answer both questions separately and completely.

What if I need more room to explain what happened?

That’s completely normal. These are big questions, and the boxes on the form are small.

You can use Supplement B or clearly labeled additional sheets when you need more room. In fact, the I-589 instructions strongly encourage applicants to provide additional written statements and supporting documents when appropriate.

Make it easy to tell which question your additional explanation belongs to. Identify the Part and Question number on the continuation.

For example, if you’re continuing your explanation of past harm from Question 1.A, label the additional explanation so it’s clear that it belongs to Part B, Question 1.A.

And if you write something like “See attached statement” on the form, double-check that the statement is actually attached before you file.

This is especially important with the questions about why you are seeking protection. USCIS says an I-589 can be rejected if the required explanation of why you are applying—or an addendum you refer to—is missing.

Don’t assume you’ll have an interview later where you can finish an incomplete answer. Give USCIS the explanation the form asks for when you file.

Talking or writing about past harm can also be difficult. The USCIS instructions recognize that. If you are having difficulty explaining what happened, you may want help from a qualified immigration attorney, accredited representative, or health professional.

Most importantly, the account you submit should be your account. Don’t copy someone else’s story, and don’t let a preparer add events that did not happen to you.

Is Part B, Question 2 only asking whether I have been convicted of a crime outside the United States?

No. This question is much broader than “Have you ever been convicted?” or “Have you ever been to prison?”

USCIS asks whether you or your family members have ever been:

  • Accused
  • Charged
  • Arrested
  • Detained
  • Interrogated
  • Convicted and sentenced
  • Imprisoned

in a country other than the United States.

The question also includes immigration-law violations.

Those words describe different things. For example, someone can be detained or questioned without ever being charged or convicted.

So don’t reduce this question to whether someone has a criminal conviction. Read through each part of the question and think about whether any of them apply.

If you answer Yes, USCIS asks you to explain what happened, why the action was taken, and who was involved.

Later, in Part C, Question 6, the form separately asks about crimes and criminal proceedings in the United States. Don’t assume that answering one of these questions automatically answers the other.

What does the question about organizations or groups mean?

Part B, Question 3.A asks whether you or your family members have been involved with organizations or groups in your home country.

This is broader than asking whether you had an official membership card.

The form gives examples such as:

  • Political parties
  • Student groups
  • Labor unions
  • Religious organizations
  • Military or paramilitary groups
  • Civil patrols
  • Guerrilla organizations
  • Ethnic groups
  • Human-rights groups
  • The press or media

So don’t assume USCIS is asking only about political parties or armed groups.

If the answer is Yes, explain the person’s involvement, including any leadership or other position they held and how long the involvement lasted.

Then look carefully at Question 3.B. It asks whether you or your family members still participate in any of those organizations or groups.

That’s a slightly different question.

If you belonged to an organization years ago but no longer participate, make that clear. If you are still involved, explain the current involvement the way the form asks.

The easiest way to think about these two questions is:

3.A: Were you involved?

3.B: Are you still involved?

What is Part B, Question 4 asking about torture?

This question is about protection under the Convention Against Torture, often called CAT.

USCIS is asking whether you are afraid that you would be tortured if you were returned to your home country—or to another country where you might be sent.

If your answer is Yes, the form asks you to explain:

  • What you fear would happen.
  • Who you believe would torture you.
  • Why you believe it would happen.

The word torture has a specific legal meaning here. In general, the instructions describe severe physical or mental pain or suffering that is intentionally inflicted, with a public official—or someone acting in an official capacity—involved in it, causing it, consenting to it, or allowing it to happen.

You don’t need to reshape your experiences to make them sound like a legal definition. Describe what actually happened or what you genuinely fear, as accurately as you can.

If you need to know whether your particular circumstances meet the legal definition of torture or qualify for CAT protection, that requires an individual legal assessment.

This question connects back to the Torture Convention box near the beginning of Form I-589. But answering Question 4 does not replace the questions about past harm or your fear of returning in Questions 1.A and 1.B. Read and answer each question separately.

Part C: Additional Information About Your Application

Part C asks about things that may have happened before or after you left your home country—previous asylum applications, time spent in other countries, return trips, the one-year filing deadline, and criminal history in the United States.

One thing to watch carefully in this section is who each question is asking about. Some questions are just about you. Others include your spouse, children, parents, siblings, or other family members.

Don’t assume that because one question included a particular family member, the next question does too. Read the people named in each question before you answer.

Do I include previous asylum or refugee applications filed by family members?

Yes, if the family member is one of the people listed in the question.

Question 1 asks whether you, your spouse, your children, your parents, or your siblings have ever applied to the U.S. government for:

  • Refugee status
  • Asylum
  • Withholding of removal

If the answer is Yes, USCIS wants to know what happened with that application and what happened to any status that was granted.

The question also asks whether you were included in a parent’s or spouse’s application. If you were, provide that person’s A-Number as requested.

If you’re not sure what happened with an earlier application, check any notices, decisions, or other immigration records you have. If the case is still pending, don’t assume it was approved or denied just because the form asks you to describe a decision.

There is an additional question for someone who was previously denied asylum by an immigration judge or the Board of Immigration Appeals. It asks whether country conditions or your personal circumstances have changed since that denial in a way that may affect your eligibility.

A previous denial can raise important legal issues. This guide can explain what the question is asking, but it can’t tell you whether a change in circumstances allows you to apply again. If this applies to you, consider having your immigration history reviewed by a qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative.

Do I list countries I traveled through before coming to the United States?

Yes.

Question 2.A isn’t asking only about countries where you permanently lived. It also asks about countries you traveled through after leaving the country from which you are claiming asylum and before entering the United States.

So, for example, if you left your home country, spent several weeks in another country, traveled through a third country, and then came to the United States, don’t automatically leave those countries out just because you didn’t consider them your permanent home.

This question covers you and your spouse or children who are now in the United States.

The basic idea is to give USCIS the travel and residence history the question asks for rather than shortening the journey to just your starting point and the United States.

What is Question 2.B asking about legal status in another country?

Question 2.B is related to the travel question, but it is asking something different.

USCIS wants to know whether you or the family members listed in the question ever applied for or received a legally recognized immigration status in another country, other than the country from which you are claiming asylum.

Notice that the question asks about both:

Applying for status, and
Actually receiving status.

Those aren’t necessarily the same thing.

Also pay attention to the family members named here. Question 2.B is broader than Question 2.A and includes family members such as parents or siblings.

If you answer Yes to Question 2.A or 2.B, the form asks for more information, including:

  • Which country the person was in and how long they stayed.
  • What immigration status they had there.
  • Why they left.
  • Whether they can return there for lawful residence.
  • Whether they applied for refugee status or asylum there—or why they did not.

Don’t assume that simply traveling through a country means you had legal status there. And don’t assume that having some type of lawful status necessarily meant you could remain there permanently.

Describe what actually happened and use your travel and immigration records when you have them.

Whether time spent in another country or immigration status there affects your eligibility for asylum is a separate legal question. If that’s an issue in your case, get qualified advice rather than trying to answer the legal question from the wording of the form.

What does Question 3 mean by causing harm to another person?

This is an important question, and it’s broader than asking whether you personally physically harmed someone.

USCIS asks whether you, your spouse, or your children ever ordered, encouraged, assisted, or otherwise participated in causing harm or suffering to someone because of that person’s:

  • Race
  • Religion
  • Nationality
  • Membership in a particular social group
  • Political opinion

The different words matter.

Ordered generally means directing someone else to take an action.

Incited means urging or encouraging the action.

Assisted means helping with it.

And the question also asks about other kinds of participation.

If your answer is Yes, explain what happened and what each person actually did.

This can be a legally significant question. If you are unsure whether something you or a family member did falls within the wording of the question, don’t try to resolve that uncertainty from a short definition on this website. A qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative can review the actual circumstances with you.

Do I have to report a trip back to the country I left?

Yes, if you returned to the country where you experienced harm or where you fear harm.

The question isn’t asking only whether you moved back permanently. A visit or other return trip can count too.

If you returned, USCIS asks you to explain:

  • When you went.
  • Why you went.
  • How long you stayed.

Check those dates against your travel history so the different parts of your application tell the same story.

Your job here is to report the trip and explain what happened. Whether a particular trip affects your asylum case is a separate legal question.

In other words: explaining why you returned and deciding what that return means legally are two different things.

This guide can help with the first. If you need the second, that’s a question for individualized legal advice.

What if I am filing Form I-589 more than one year after I arrived?

Answer the question based on your actual filing history and arrival information.

If you are filing more than one year after your last arrival, the form asks you to explain why you did not file during the first year.

The I-589 instructions discuss circumstances that may sometimes affect the one-year filing requirement, including:

  • Changed circumstances that affect asylum eligibility.
  • Extraordinary circumstances connected to the delay in filing.

But seeing your situation mentioned in an example doesn’t automatically mean an exception applies to you.

What USCIS wants from you here is an explanation of what actually happened and when it happened. Give the relevant circumstances and dates rather than simply writing something like “I qualify for an exception.”

And don’t assume you can wait until an interview to explain the delay. The current form warns that your written explanation may be your only opportunity for an asylum officer to consider the reasons you filed after the one-year period.

If you’ve had several arrivals in the United States, filed for asylum previously, or think an exception to the one-year rule may apply, this is a particularly good place to get qualified immigration help.

This guide can explain the question, but it cannot calculate your filing deadline or determine whether an exception applies to your circumstances.

Does the U.S. criminal-history question include arrests that did not result in a conviction?

Yes.

Part C, Question 6 is not limited to criminal convictions.

It asks whether you or a family member included in your application ever:

  • Committed a crime.
  • Were arrested.
  • Were charged.
  • Were convicted.
  • Were sentenced for a crime in the United States.

The question also includes immigration-law violations.

So if someone was arrested but never convicted, don’t answer the question as though it asked only about convictions.

If your answer is Yes, USCIS asks for details about what happened, including the circumstances, dates, location, charges, sentence, detention or imprisonment, and the reasons for detention, conviction, or release.

Provide the records the form asks for if they’re available. If they’re not available, explain why.

Also, don’t confuse this question with Part B, Question 2. Part B asks about certain events that happened outside the United States and uses different language about which family members are included.

Finally, don’t assume that an arrest or case disappears from this question because the charge was later dismissed, the record was sealed, or the outcome changed.

If you’re uncertain about what must be disclosed—or how a criminal or immigration record affects your application—have the actual records reviewed by a qualified immigration professional. The safest approach is to understand what the question asks and answer it accurately, rather than guessing based on how the case eventually turned out.

Part D: Your Signature

What am I confirming when I sign Form I-589?

You are certifying under penalty of perjury that the application and evidence are true and correct. Read the whole declaration and warning on the form before signing.

Review the answers, statements, supplements, and documents—even if someone else prepared them. Make sure you understand what is being submitted in your name.

The form warns that information you provide can be used in removal proceedings, even if you later withdraw the application. It also warns that knowingly filing a frivolous asylum application can make you permanently ineligible for benefits under immigration law. A preparer’s advice to provide false information does not protect you from that consequence.

A denied application is not automatically a knowingly frivolous application. The instructions describe deliberately making up an important part of the claim. The practical point is to give your own truthful information and never sign a story you know is false.

Which assistance do I report in Part D?

Part D asks separately whether a spouse, parent, or child helped you and whether someone outside those relationships prepared the application. If a spouse, parent, or child helped, give the requested name and relationship. If someone else prepared it, that person completes Part E.

There is also a question about whether you received a list of people who may help with the asylum claim at little or no cost. Answer what actually happened; it is not asking you to claim that you hired someone.

Print your complete name, provide your name in your native alphabet as requested, and sign and date Part D after reviewing the application. For online filing, follow the application’s electronic-signature process.

Part E: The Person Who Prepared the Form

Who needs to complete Part E?

A person who helped prepare your application completes and signs Part E unless that person is you, your spouse, your parent, or your child. That family exception is specific to I-589; do not copy the preparer rules from another immigration form.

For example, if your sister or a friend prepared the application, that person is not within the spouse, parent, or child exception. Part E asks for the preparer’s signature, complete name, telephone number, and address.

The preparer’s declaration says the completed application was read to you in your native language or a language you understand for verification before you signed in the preparer’s presence. Read the actual declaration and make sure it describes what happened.

The attorney or accredited representative fields at the bottom are for that representative, if any. Preparing the form and formally representing you are different roles. A required Form G-28 is separate from the preparer declaration.

Watch out: A preparer’s signature does not replace your signature in Part D.

Parts F and G: Interview or Hearing Signatures

Should I sign Parts F and G before filing?

No. The instructions say not to sign Part F or Part G before filing. Part F is completed at an asylum interview, if applicable. Part G is completed at a removal hearing, if applicable. Follow the officer’s or judge’s directions at that stage.

You still sign Part D before filing. Leaving F and G unsigned is different from leaving the required filing signature out.

Supplements A and B: When You Need More Space

What is Supplement A for?

Supplement A continues the children section when you have more children than the main form can hold. Provide the same requested information for each additional child.

Complete the identifying information, date, and applicant-signature fields at the top. Use more copies as needed to list all children.

How do I use Supplement B?

Supplement B gives you extra space for Part B, Part C, or another part of the application. Put your name, A-Number if any, date, and signature in the requested fields, and identify the part and question you are continuing.

For example, an additional address-history page should identify Part A.III, Question 2. An explanation continuing the past-harm question should identify Part B, Question 1.A.

Use the numbers on the official form, not the position of a heading in this website’s navigation. If a statement answers several questions, make those references clear.

For separate supplemental sheets, the instructions ask for your name exactly as shown in Part A.I, A-Number if any, signature, and date. They also require those identifying details on the cover page of supporting documents. Check each attachment before filing.

Organizing Your Supporting Documents

What documents do I need with Form I-589?

The instructions ask for the completed, signed application and supplements, the required identity and relationship records, and reasonably available evidence supporting your account. Your document list depends on your answers and circumstances.

  • Passports and travel records: One copy of all passports or other travel documents in your possession, cover to cover, and copies of U.S. immigration documents such as I-94 records for you and each included family member, if you have them.
  • Relationship records: The required evidence for a spouse or child included in your application, such as marriage and birth certificates and proof that prior marriages ended.
  • Other identification: The instructions recommend copies of available identity documents, such as a birth certificate or national identification card.
  • Supporting evidence: Reasonably available records about the country conditions and the specific facts on which your claim relies.
  • Translations: Full English translations and translator certifications for documents in another language.

Keep a complete copy of the filing for yourself. For a USCIS paper filing, the current filing tips say not to submit passport-style photos, multiple copies of the form, or duplicate sets of supporting documents. Court filing and service requirements are separate; follow the instructions for your actual filing location.

What does “corroborative evidence” mean?

It means evidence that supports the facts you describe. The instructions distinguish evidence about general conditions in a country from evidence about the specific facts of your claim.

Examples in the instructions include medical records, photographs, official records, news reports, and statements from witnesses or experts. These are examples of types of evidence, not a list of documents everyone must have.

A report about country conditions and a record of a particular event serve different purposes. This guide cannot decide which evidence proves your claim or whether your documents are sufficient.

What if I cannot obtain a document?

Explain why the evidence is unavailable, or why you are not providing it with the application, using Supplement B or additional sheets. Do not silently leave it out or say an attachment is included when it is not.

For unavailable primary family-relationship records, the instructions describe secondary evidence and affidavits. Secondary evidence means other records that may establish the relationship when the usual record cannot be obtained. You must also explain why the primary evidence is unavailable.

An affidavit is a sworn or affirmed statement. The instructions give specific requirements for the person’s knowledge of the event and identifying information. Follow those requirements rather than treating any short letter as an affidavit.

Do foreign-language documents need English translations?

Yes. Submit a full English translation with a document containing information in another language. The translator must certify that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate from that language into English.

The certification needs the translator’s signature, printed name, signature date, and contact information. Keep the translation and certification with the document they translate.

A document translator and a person interpreting for you at an interview are different roles, even if one person can perform both.

Should I send original documents?

Follow the instructions for each document. For paper filing, the completed application and supplementary statements are signed originals. Supporting documents are generally copies, and the instructions specifically say not to send original passports or travel documents unless requested. They separately require an original when you submit an affidavit.

Keep original identity and travel documents available for any scheduled interview. Make sure copies are readable and do not crop out names, dates, document numbers, or the back of a document.

How should I organize a paper application?

The USCIS instructions place the signed I-589 first, followed by a required G-28 if represented, supplementary sheets and statements, supporting documentation, and relationship evidence for included family members. Review the exact assembly instructions before mailing.

A simple document index can help you see what is included. Check that every attachment mentioned in an answer is present and clearly labeled. Keep your own copy of the complete package and proof of filing.

Fees and Where to File

Is Form I-589 free to file?

Don’t rely on older information saying that every Form I-589 filing is free.

The current USCIS instructions direct applicants to the USCIS fee schedule, and the current Form I-589 page includes information about filing fees and an Annual Asylum Fee for certain pending applications.

Because these amounts and rules can change, check the Fees section on the current USCIS Form I-589 page before you file. USCIS has announced inflation-related fee adjustments effective October 16, 2026, so an amount you found earlier may no longer be correct when you are ready to submit your application.

The Annual Asylum Fee is separate from any fee that may apply when you first file Form I-589. If you are required to pay an Annual Asylum Fee while your application is pending, USCIS says it will send you a notice telling you the amount, how to pay it, and the deadline.

If your case is in immigration court, check the applicable EOIR payment instructions as well.

The simplest rule here is: check the current fee and payment instructions when you are actually ready to file or pay a fee, rather than relying on an old saved amount.

Can I file Form I-589 online?

Some people filing with USCIS can file Form I-589 online—but not everyone can.

The current USCIS Form I-589 page lists situations that require filing by mail, including some cases involving previous immigration court proceedings or other circumstances that require special handling.

So don’t assume that having a USCIS online account means your I-589 can be filed online.

Use the USCIS I-589 Filing Instructions Tool and check the current Where to File and Special Instructions sections for your situation.

Where do I send a paper Form I-589?

There isn’t one mailing address that is correct for everyone.

The correct filing location can depend on your situation, where you live, your immigration history, and the delivery method you use.

That’s why it’s important to check the current USCIS filing instructions when you’re ready to mail the application, rather than using an address from an old copy of the instructions, a saved website, or a previous filing.

USCIS changed the filing destination for certain repeat I-589 applications in September 2026, which is a good example of why an older address may no longer be correct.

And remember: if your I-589 belongs in immigration court, don’t mail it to USCIS simply because I-589 is a USCIS form. Court filings follow the applicable immigration court procedures.

After USCIS accepts an application, the place you send additional evidence or correspondence may also change. Follow the instructions on your notices and for the asylum office handling your case rather than automatically sending later documents back to the original lockbox.

What Happens After You File?

Will I automatically get an asylum interview?

Not necessarily.

You may be scheduled for an asylum interview, but the current form and instructions say USCIS can also make certain decisions or refer an application to immigration court without first interviewing you or asking you for more evidence.

That’s one reason it’s important to make your application and written explanations as complete as you reasonably can when you file. Don’t leave something important unfinished because you expect to explain it at an interview later.

If USCIS schedules an interview, you’ll receive information about the date, time, and location.

Read every notice you receive carefully and pay attention to its instructions and deadlines.

And don’t file a second I-589 simply because your first application seems to be taking a long time. USCIS warns that duplicate filings can actually cause delays.

What are biometrics?

Biometrics are identifying information—such as your fingerprints and photograph—that the government uses for identity and background checks.

If USCIS requires biometrics from you or an eligible family member included in your application, follow the instructions in each person’s appointment notice.

Don’t assume that one family member’s appointment covers everyone else.

Missing a required appointment without an accepted reason can have serious consequences for the application and may also affect employment authorization.

If your case is in immigration court, there are separate procedures for completing the required DHS background checks. Filing your I-589 with the court does not necessarily complete that step for you.

Do I need an interpreter at my asylum interview?

If you cannot comfortably complete the USCIS asylum interview in English, the current instructions generally require you to bring a competent interpreter who is fluent in both English and a language you speak fluently.

The interpreter must be at least 18 years old.

Not everyone can serve as your interpreter. Your attorney or representative cannot do it, and neither can a witness who will testify for you or a representative or employee of your country.

If you need sign-language accommodation, different arrangements apply.

Before the interview, check your appointment notice and the current USCIS interview instructions so you know exactly what is required.

Bring the identity documents USCIS requests and a copy of your application. Family members who are included in your application must also attend a scheduled USCIS asylum interview when instructed.

If your case is in immigration court rather than at a USCIS asylum interview, interpreter procedures are different and follow the court’s rules.

Can I work after I file Form I-589?

Filing Form I-589 does not by itself give you permission to work in the United States.

Employment authorization requires a separate application, Form I-765.

The current I-589 instructions describe a 150-day waiting period before you can apply for employment authorization based on a pending asylum application, and a 180-day minimum before employment authorization can be granted.

But be careful about simply counting days on a calendar. Certain delays that you request or cause may not count toward those waiting periods, and other requirements still apply.

For a fuller explanation of the waiting periods, stopped clocks, and the separate work-permit application, see When can I apply for a work permit after filing for asylum? It also explains how the answer changes once asylum is granted.

Each family member included in your asylum application who wants employment authorization needs to file a separate Form I-765.

If you want help understanding that form, see our Form I-765 Instruction Guide. Before relying on a particular work-authorization date, check the current USCIS rules and the status of your own case.

What if I move while my I-589 is pending?

Keep your address current with every agency that is handling your case.

The I-589 instructions require you to notify USCIS within 10 days after moving. If your case is in immigration court, the instructions describe a separate five-day requirement using the court’s change-of-address process.

This is an easy place to make a mistake: changing your address with one agency does not necessarily change it everywhere else.

And forwarding your mail through the post office does not update your immigration records.

Follow the change-of-address instructions for each USCIS, immigration court, or appeal matter you have pending so that important notices don’t continue going to your old address.

Can I travel outside the United States while my asylum application is pending?

This is one area where you should be especially careful.

The I-589 instructions say USCIS will presume that you abandoned your asylum application if you leave the United States without first obtaining advance parole.

Advance parole is permission obtained before you travel. But having advance parole does not mean that travel is automatically safe for your immigration case or guarantee that you will be allowed to return to the United States.

There is another important issue if you return to the country where you say you fear persecution. Even if you obtained advance parole before leaving, USCIS may presume that you abandoned your asylum application unless you can show compelling reasons for returning to that country.

Because the consequences depend on the particular trip and your immigration situation, this is a good question to discuss with a qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative before you travel.

FormExplainer can explain what the I-589 instructions say about travel, but it can’t tell you whether a particular trip is safe for your case.

Does filing Form I-589 give me a Green Card?

No.

Form I-589 asks for asylum or other protection. It is not an application for a Green Card.

Form I-485 is the application used to adjust status to lawful permanent residence when someone is eligible to do so.

So a pending asylum application does not, by itself, make you a permanent resident.

If you need help understanding the separate adjustment-of-status form, see our Form I-485 Guide. That guide explains the Form I-485 questions within the scope described at the beginning of the guide.

Before You Finish Form I-589

Take one last pass through the actual form and every attachment. This checklist is for checking your paperwork, not for deciding whether your claim meets the legal requirements.

  • Confirm that the edition you are using is currently accepted and that all pages come from the same edition.
  • Check names, identification numbers, and addresses against the available records.
  • Make sure every child is listed, and distinguish listing a relative from including that relative in the application.
  • Check your entries, travel history, addresses, employment dates, and earlier applications for missing or inconsistent information.
  • Answer each applicable Yes/No question and include every required explanation.
  • Attach every statement or addendum referenced in the form.
  • Label, sign, and date supplements and additional sheets as required.
  • Include required relationship and identity records, reasonably available supporting evidence, and explanations for unavailable evidence.
  • Include complete translations and translator certifications.
  • Review and sign Part D. Check Part E if a preparer must complete it. Leave Parts F and G for the interview or hearing.
  • Verify your filing location, method, current fees, and any applicable filing or court deadlines.
  • Keep a complete copy and proof of submission.

Get Professional Help

Some questions go beyond explaining the form—especially filing deadlines, court jurisdiction, protected grounds, earlier denials, criminal records, or whether particular facts meet a legal standard. A qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative can review those issues with you.

Get Professional Help →

This takes you to FormExplainer’s existing Professional Help section. Select its Get Professional Help button to open the intake form. Requests are reviewed and routed manually. Do not put your asylum narrative, A-Number, Social Security number, or other sensitive details in that initial contact form.

For free or reduced-cost assistance, you can also check the EOIR list of pro bono legal service providers. Availability and representation arrangements vary.

Official Sources and Related Guides

This guide was checked against the official Form I-589 and instructions, edition 07/28/26, and the live USCIS filing page on October 3, 2026. Use these official sources for current filing requirements:

For other forms, visit the Immigration & Asylum guides.