Instructions For Form I-817 - Application For Family Unity Benefits printable pdf download

Instructions for Application for

Family Unity Benefits

USCIS

Form I-817

Department of Homeland Security

OMB No. 1615-0005

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Expires 10/31/2017

What Is the Purpose of Form I-817?

Use Form I-817, Application for Family Unity Benefits, to request initial benefits under the Family Unity Program or to

request an extension of such benefits. You must reside in and file Form I-817 in the United States.

When Should I File Form I-817?

You should file Form I-817:

1. To request an initial benefit or an extension of authorization to remain in the United States under the Family Unity

Program and to request an initial or an extension of Form I-766, Employment Authorization Document (EAD); or

2. If you are applying for Family Unity Program benefits under section 301 of the Immigration Act of 1990 (IMMACT

90), or if you are applying under section 1504 of the Legal Immigration Family Equity Act (LIFE Act Amendments):

A. If you are granted Family Unity benefits under IMMACT 90, you are authorized to remain in the United States for

two years, and you will receive an EAD valid for the same period.

B. If you are granted Family Unity benefits under the LIFE Act, you are authorized to remain in the United States

for two years (only one year if your spouse or parent has a pending application for adjusment to lawful permanent

resident status). You will receive an EAD valid for the same period.

NOTE: If you previously qualified for LIFE Act Family Unity as a child, you may be eligible for IMMACT 90

Family Unity.

C. If you are granted Family Unity benefits under either IMMACT 90 or the LIFE Act and you intend to travel

outside the United States temporarily, you must apply for advance parole authorization by completing Form I-131,

Application for Travel Document. Advance parole allows you to request parole into the United States when you

return.

D. For purposes of this application, a legalized alien is someone who obtained temporary or permanent residence in

the United States through Legalization under section 210 or 245A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA),

or under section 1504(b) of Public Law 106-553 (the LIFE Act). For the purposes of this form, a legalized alien

is also someone who obtained permanent residence through a Cuban/Haitian Adjustment under section 202 of the

Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

General Instructions

USCIS provides forms free of charge through the USCIS website. In order to view, print, or fill out our forms, you should

use the latest version of Adobe Reader, which you can download for free at If you do not

have Internet access, you may call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 and ask that we mail

a form to you. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call: 1-800-767-1833.

Signature. Each application must be properly signed and filed. For all signatures on this application, USCIS will not

accept a stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature. If you are under 14 years of age, your parent or legal

guardian may sign the application on your behalf. A legal guardian may also sign for a mentally incompetent person.

NOTE: You must fill out a separate Form I-817 for each person who needs to apply for Family Unity benefits.

Form I-817 Instructions 12/23/16 N

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Instructions For Form I-817 - Application For Family Unity Benefits