USCIS I-360 Filing Guide

Quick answer

What is USCIS Form I-360 used for?

Use this form to classify an alien as: An Amerasian (born after Dec. 31, 1950, and before Oct. 23, 1982); The widow(er) of a U.S. citizen; A VAWA self-petitioning spouse of an abusive U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident; A VAWA self-petitioning child of an abusive U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident; A VAWA self-petitioning parent of an abusive U.S. citizen son or daughter who is 21 years old or older; or A special immigrant. We define a special immigrant as one of the following: Religious worker; Panama Canal company employee, Canal Zone government employee, or U.S. government in the Canal Zone employee; Physician licensed and practicing medicine in a U.S. state as of Jan. 9, 1978; International organization or NATO-6 employee or family member; Juvenile who needs the protection of a juvenile court because they have been abused, neglected or abandoned by a parent; U.S. armed forces member; Afghan or Iraqi national who worked for or on behalf of the U.S. government as a translator; Iraqi national who worked for or on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraq; An Afghan national who worked for or on behalf of the U.S. government or the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan; or Broadcasters for the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) or for a USAGM grantee.

What to prepare before filling I-360

01
Confirm that Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, matches the specific benefit, request, verification, or record you need.
02
Download the current Form I-360 and its separate instructions from USCIS, then compare the edition date before typing any answers.
03
For Form I-360, collect the identity records, receipt or account numbers, dates, addresses, and prior immigration documents that support your answers.
04
For the relationship questions in Form I-360, build a timeline and gather the civil records, translations, and custody or adoption evidence that applies.

Current official filing details

The details below are condensed from the USCIS page reviewed on 2026-07-26. Follow the official page and instructions if they differ from this snapshot.

Edition date

01/20/25. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.

Where to file

Where you file depends on your eligibility category, where you live, and whether you are also filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, at the same time (known as “concurrent filing”). For a complete list of addresses, visit our Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-360 page.

When to file

Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Petitions To obtain a Green Card as an Afghan who was employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government, whether you live inside or outside the United States, you must first seek special immigrant classification by filing either Form I-360 with USCIS or by filing Form DS-157, Petition for Special Immigrant Classification for Afghan SIV Applicants, with the U.S. Department of State (DOS).

Afghan citizens or nationals who already started the SIV application process and received DOS Chief of Mission (COM) approval on or before July 20, 2022, must still file Form I-360 with USCIS on their own behalf. For individuals in the United States with COM requests pending on July 20, 2022, please reference the chart below.

Afghan nationals located in the United StatesIfThenCOM pending and have a signed Form DS-157Once COM and Form DS-157 are approved, file Form I-485COM pending and have an unsigned Form DS-157Once COM is approved, file Form I-360COM pending and have no Form DS-157Once COM is approved, file Form I-360COM approved before 7/20/22File Form I-360Form I-360 pending with USCISOnce Form I-360 is approved, file Form I-485 Note: COM = Department of State

Filing fee

You can find the fees for Form I-360 by visiting our Fee Schedule page.

Initial evidence

View the checklist of required initial evidence.

USCIS filing tips

Complete all applicable sections of the form. If you are filing this petition on behalf of another person, complete Part 1 by providing information about yourself, and Part 3 by providing information about the person you are filing for (the beneficiary).

Do not provide information about yourself in Part 3 if you are preparing this petition as a preparer or an attorney/accredited representative for the petitioner or the self-petitioner. If you are a self-petitioner, skip Part 1 and complete Part 3.

If you are a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioner or special immigrant juvenile, you must complete Part 3, and you may provide an alternate and/or safe address in Part 1., Item Number 7, if you do not feel safe receiving correspondence regarding this petition at the mailing address in Part 1., Item 6 or Part 3., Item 2. If you are preparing this petition for a petitioner or self-petitioner, enter your information in Part 14.

Filing Tips: Review our Tips for Filing Forms by Mail page for information on how to help ensure we will accept your form.

Special instructions

E-Notification: If you want to receive an e-mail and/or a text message that we have accepted your form at a USCIS lockbox, complete Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance and clip it to the first page of your form.

Official I-360 downloads and filing links

USCIS Form I-360 official details page Form I-360 Instructions for Form I-360 Optional Checklist for Form I-360 Special Immigrant Religious Worker Filings

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USCIS Form I-360 FAQ

What is Form I-360 used for?

Use this form to classify an alien as: An Amerasian (Born after 12/31/1950 and before 10/23/1982); The widow(er) of a U.S. citizen; Self-petitioning spouse or child of an abusive U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident; Self-petitioning parent of an abusive U.S. citizen; or

How much does Form I-360 cost?

You can find the fees for Form I-360 by visiting our Fee Schedule page.

Can I file Form I-360 online?

The USCIS all-forms directory does not list a general online filing option for this form. Follow the official page for the required filing method.

Related USCIS form guides

Green Card

Last researched 2026-07-26. Recheck the official page before filing.

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