Application for Permanent Residency for Retirees

UNITED NATIONS / / NATIONS UNIES

GUIDANCE ON APPLYING FOR

PERMANENT RESIDENCY

FOR

RETIREES HOLDING

G-4 VISAS

The information contained in these guidelines, for the filing of petitions and applications under the special immigrant provisions, is for general information purposes only. This information is up to date and correct on the date of issuance of these guidelines. These guidelines cannot, in any manner, substitute for an authoritative official US government source of information.

GENERAL

Staff members who are retiring have a 30-day grace period after their date of retirement to file their application for permanent residency. You must file your application at that time. During this period you are not allowed to leave the United States. However, international travel will be permitted once you have received travel permission (usually within 90 days after filing of the application). The advance parole will be valid for one year and for multiple entries.

ELIGIBILITY

Staff members who retire at age 55 or older (in a status that the UN will recognize as ‘fully retired’) and meet the required residence and physical presence in the United States:

(a)15 years in total in the United Nations Headquarters, New York duty station before date of retirement on a G-4 Visa; and

(b)A cumulative period of 3½ years of the 7-year period immediately preceding the filing of the Form I-360 petitionmust be within the UNHQ New York. (The period of 3½ years does not need to be consecutive).

PROOF OF PHYSICAL PRESENCE

It is a new requirement to show proof of your physical presence for the 15 years of service on G-4 Visa. Documents to show proof of physical presence are:

(a)Copies of all pages in passport held for 15 years on G-4 Visa.

  • All pages of most recent passport should be copied in colour.
  • All the pages of the other passports can be copied in black and white.

(b)Affidavits from friends, relatives, colleagues, banks, other documents (i.e. utility bills) that will show your physical presence.

  • Obtain 2 affidavits. These can be from friends, relatives or colleagues. These affidavits must be notarized.
  • Obtain an affidavit from a bank. This does not have to be notarized.

(c)Prepare a document which lists all trips out of the U.S. and reason for traveling throughout the 15 years:

Departure / Arrival / Destination / Total days out of US / Reason for traveling / Visa Status

(d)Submit Travel Authorization Reports to show all official travel.

APPLICATION

To obtain an application package:

Download forms through the Internet at

Go to Forms

Click on Green Card Based Forms

Click on the name of the form

Click on Download

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NUMBER OF COPIES THAT PRINT OUT WHEN DOWLOADING THE FORMS IS THE EXACT NUMBER OF COPIES THAT ARE REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED TO CIS.

FORMS

Each application should be submitted to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United States Department of Homeland Security and must include:

(a)G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance

If you are filing your form I-360 at one of the USCIS Lockbox Facilities, you may elect to receive an e-mail and/or text message notifying you that your application has been accepted. You must complete Form G-1145 and clip it to the first page of your application

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

Please note that only one Form I-360 is required if you are applying for yourself and your spouse simultaneously. This form must be completed by and in the name of the retired staff member.

Tips for completing the form:

Part 3 is information about staff member

Part 9 is information about the SPOUSE and CHILDREN (Including US Citizens, Permanent residents, and minor and overage children) whether or not dependents will apply with the staff member.

Note that every petition must be properly signed and accompanied by the proper fee. The current filing fee is $405.

However, because USCIS fees change periodically, you can verify if the fees are correct by visiting select “FORMS, and check the appropriate fee. Any form that is not signed or accompanied by the correct fee will be rejected with a notice that forms I-360 is deficient.

Make check payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Do not use initials.

(c)Form I-485(Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status)

A completed Form I-485, duly signed by the applicant. Please note 1 original per applicant (staff member and accompanying spouse) must submit, with 4 passport photographs for each.

The filing fee for Form I-485 is $985. An additional biometrics fee of $85 is required when filing form I-485. Include both fees in one check in the amount of $1070.

However, because USCIS fees change periodically, you can verify if the fees are correct by visiting select “FORMS, and check the appropriate fee. Any form that is not signed or accompanied by the correct fee will be rejected with a notice that forms I-485 is deficient.

Make check payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Do not use initials.

Please include 4 identical color photographs of yourself taken within 30 days of the filing of this application. Photo requirements will be described at a later stage.

(d)Form G-325A (Biographic Information)

A completed Form G-325A, duly signed by the applicant. Please note 1 original per applicant should be submitted.

As part of the USCIS biometrics services, an applicant must be fingerprinted. After you have filed the application, USCIS will notify you in writing of the time and location where you must go to be fingerprinted.The accompanying spouse must also submit his/her G-325A.

(e)Form I-508 (Waiver of Rights and Privileges)

A completed Form I-508, duly signed by the applicant (see package). Please note 3 originals per applicant should be submitted. (When downloaded, Form I-508 has a total of 4 pages, submit all these 4 pages.)

French nationals: French nationals in A, E or G nonimmigrant status who are receiving a salary from the French Government must also submit a Form I-508F, Election as to Tax Exemption under the Convention between the United States and the FrenchRepublic (Title 8 CFR part 247.11).

(f)(Form I-566 (Interagency Record of Request)

A completed Form I-566, duly signed by the applicant and if applicable, the accompanying spouse.

Two originals per applicant must be submitted. Please note:

Part 1

For Item 12, please obtain your Personal Identification Number (PID):

  • Go to iSeek page of the Travel and Transportation Section, under Visas, G-4 Visas (see Find your PID Number); or

use the following intranet link:

  • If not listed, staff members of the Secretariat can e-mail
  • If you are a staff member of the United Nations programmes and funds, contact the travel desk of your organization.

Part 2

For Item 8, please obtain your PID Number as indicated above.

Part 3

Please complete Item 2(d) accordingly.

(g)Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.

Form I-693 must be completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon who will conduct your medical examination and administer any necessary vaccines. A list of civil surgeons in your area is available online at or by calling the USCISNationalCustomerServiceCenter at 1-800-375-5283. The civil surgeon will sign the Form I-693 in Part 5 and seal the form in an envelope. Do not open the sealed envelope. The results are generally valid for one year and applicants should schedule their medical examination as close as possible to the time they file for adjustment of status. Please use Form I-693 with a revision date of 7/20/2010 or later.

Important Tuberculosis (TB) screening requirements: The civil surgeon must indicate the results of a tuberculin skin test (TST) or an Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) on the Form I-693 for any applicant two years of age or older. A Form I-693 without TST or IGRA results is not acceptable. If you are required to receive a chest x-ray, the civil surgeon must attach an x-ray report to the Form I-693. USCIS will only accept a full and formal chest x-ray report, whether a copy or an original, signed by a physician and on official hospital or medical office letterhead.

(h)Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization)

A completed Form I-765, duly signed by the applicant and if applicable, by the accompanying spouse. Please note 1 original per applicant must be submitted with 2 passport photographs.

Item 16

The correct category for this item if (c)(9).

(i)Form I-131(Application for Travel Document),

A completed Form I-131, duly signed by the applicant. Please note 1 original per applicant (staff member and accompanying spouse) must be submitted with 2 passport photographs.

(j)Birth Certificate. A clear copy of your birth certificate as registered with the proper civil authorities in your country of birth is required. For countries where both “short form” (parents not listed) and “long-form” birth certificates are issued, applicants must submit the long-form certificate.

  • If the birth document is not in English, it must be accompanied by a complete and notarized English translation. The translator must certify they are competent to perform the translation and that the translation is accurate. The translation must be submitted with the original translated (non-English) document.
  • If you do not have a civilly registered birth certificate:
  • Obtain a letter from the appropriate birth registrar’s office, affirming that the certificate is not available. Submit this letter with secondary evidence of your birth and parentage. Such evidence may include, but is not limited to:
  • Hospital, clinic or medical birth records which name the child and both parents
  • School or census records which name the child and both parents
  • Religious records in the form of a certificate under the seal of the organization where the baptism, dedication, presentation or comparable rite occurred following the birth, showing the date of the child's birth and the names of the parents.
  • Sworn statements from two or more persons who were alive at the time of your birth and can attest to your birth date, place of birth and the names of your mother and father.
  • Please note that a letter from a Consulate certifying your birth information from your passport is not acceptable.

(k)Marriage Certificate (if applicable). A clear photocopy of your marriage certificate is required. If the certificate is not written in English, an official notarized translation is required to accompany the marriage certificate (in the original language).

(l)Passport. A clear, coloured and large photocopy of the biographic pages of your passport is required. Make 4 copies.

(m)G-4 visa. Please obtain proof of your G-4 status from your Executive/Personnel Office:

  • Request a “To whom it may concern” letter certifying that you joined the Organization on…….. and retired on……., and that you were stationed at Headquarters and held a G-4 visa during that period.
  • This letter must have the UN seal. If you are applying simultaneously for your spouse, a paragraph concerning his/her G-4 status must to be written in the letter as well. In that case, you require a second original of this letter.
  • A clear, coloured and large photocopy of your G-4 visa. Make 4 copies.

(n)Form I-94. A clear photocopy of your Form I-94 i.e., Arrival-Departure Record (front and back) found stapled in your passport. The date stamp must be legible. Make 4 copies.

(o)Pension. Please obtain a statement of estimated pension from the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). The UNJSPF can be contacted as follows:

1 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza

corner of 2nd Avenue and 48th Street

37th Floor

New York, N. Y. 10017

Telephone: 212-963-6931

Fax:212-963-3146

(p)P.18 (Exit Interview)

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION

Application packages must be mailed (by certified mail with return receipt) to:

USCIS Dallas Lockbox:

= For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries: / = For express mail and courier deliveries:
USCIS
P.O. Box 660867
Dallas, TX 75266 / USCIS
Attn.: AOS
2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067

If your spouse wishes to apply for permanent residency, complete another set of forms for him/her and send them along with your application to the USCIS office.

E-Notification

If you are filling your Form I-360 at one of the USCIS Lockbox facilities, you may elect to receive an e-mail and/or text message notifying you that your application has been accepted. You must complete Form G-1145,

E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, and clip it to the first page of your application. To download

a copy of Form G-1145, including the instructions, click on the link “FORMS.”

FEES/COST OF FORMS

Please see the attached list of costs for each form. You may send a check or money order payable to

US Department of Homeland Security for the amount or you may attach a check for each form.

If this is a first submission, you will need to send 2 checks only:

$405 must accompany the I-360 and,

$1070 must accompany the I-485

It is a good practice to check if the filing fees have changed prior to mailing an application.

Below is the link for the filing fees:

PHOTOCOPIES

It is very important that you keep photocopies of the completed forms for your records. If you are asked to attend an interview, the photocopy documents may be required.

PROCESSING TIME, INTERVIEW AND FINGERPRINTS

The length of time varies from case to case and cannot be predicted for individual cases with any accuracy. Some cases are delayed because applicants do not follow instructions carefully. The “green card” will arrive in the mail. USCIS will notify you of the date and place for the fingerprinting. If, at any time while your applications are pending, you change addresses, you MUST notify the CIS immediately. Any change of address must be reported online (AR-11 filing, at and the applicant should follow up by phone to ensure the applications have been updated.

PHOTO REQUIREMENTS:

Photos must be taken within 30 days of the filing of this application. The photos must have a white to off-white background, be printed on thin paper with a glossy finish and be unmounted and unretouched. Passport –style photos must be 2”x2”. The photos must be in color with full face, frontal view. Head height should measure 1”x1 3/8” from top of hair to bottom of chin, and eye height is between 1/8” to 1 3/9” from bottom of photo. Using pencil or felt pen, lightly print your name on the back of the photo.

FURTHER INFORMATION/CLARIFICATION

For further information about this process please contact a private immigration lawyer. The United Nations cannot provide guidance beyond what is contained herein.

You may also visit the USCIS website at or call them at 1-800-375-5283

FORM / NUMBER OF ORIGINALS / PURPOSE / FILING FEE
I-360
Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant / 1 application per applicant (excluding accompanying spouse) / To apply for certain benefits granted to… special immigrants as defined in the form’s instructions / $405
I-485
Application to Register for Permanent Residence or adjust status / 1 original/applicant / To adjust status/obtain permanent resident status / filing and Biometric
$1070
G-325 A
Biographic Information / 1 Original per applicant / To provide biographic info about the applicant
I-566
Interagency Record of Request / 2 originals/applicant:
I-566 automatically prints in 2 sets / To accompany applications for employment authorization as an eligible G-4, as well as any application for a change/adjustment of status from/to A, G or NATO status
I-508
Waiver of Rights and Privileges, Exemptions and Immunities / Print and submit all 3 copies (DOS, CIS and IRS) Include 4th page as well
1 set/applicant / To apply for adjustment of status as permanent resident, and who are all working for a foreign government mission in the US
I-693
Medical Exam / Result submitted in a sealed envelope / To obtain a medical exam
To be conducted by a civil surgeon designated by USCIS
I-765
Application for Employment Authorization / 1 original/applicant / To apply for authorization for employment/Employment Authorization Document (EAD) / Check fee if extension is needed
I-131
Travel Document or Advance Parole / 1 original/applicant / To apply for travel (re-entry permit or advance parole) / Check fee if extension is
G-1145
E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance / 1 original/applicant / To be used by an Applicant or Petitioner who can file their application/petition at one of the three USCIS Lockbox facilities, and who wishes to receive electronic notification (e-Notification) that their application has been accepted.

The new application for an I-485 is a package fee that includes associated EAD and advance parole applications. Thus, if you file an I-485 with the fee listed above, while you will still need to submit applications for an EAD and advance parole, you will not need to pay a separate fee so long as your adjustment application is pending. However, if you filed your I-485 before this fee change, to apply for or renew your EAD or advance parole, you must file a new application with the new fee for those applications.”

French nationals: French nationals in A, E or G nonimmigrant status who are receiving a salary from the French Government must also submit a Form I-508F, Election as to Tax Exemption under the Convention between the United States and the FrenchRepublic (Title 8 CFR part 247.11).

CHECKLIST

If you did not include all of the following, your application will be incomplete:

REQUIRED FORMS:

  • G-1145
  • I-360
  • I-485
  • I-566 (duplicate)
  • G-325A
  • I-508 (Triplicate)
  • I-508F (if French National and if applicable)
  • I-693 as well as the supplemental I-693
  • I-765
  • I-131

Spouse must file all forms with the exception of the I-360.

REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS:

  • 2 separate checks payable to the US Department of Homeland Security for retiree (one to attach to the

I-360 and another to attach to the I-485). SPOUSES DO NOT FILE I-360, THEREFORE THEY DO NOT INCLUDE THE FEE THAT GOES WITH THE I-360)

  • A total of 8 photos for each applicant if applying for spouse
  • Copy of your birth certificate and marriage certificate for each applicant if applying for spouse
  • The letter from the international organization demonstrating that this is a qualifying organization and explaining the circumstances of qualifying employment and the immigration status held by the person for whom the petition is filed. The letter must also include the name of the spouse and his or her visa status
  • 4 additional copies of last G-4 issued biographic pages from passport and I-94 front and back of applicant.(for both retiree and spouse)
  • Copies of all pages form passport demonstrating that the retiree has met the eligibility requirements with regard to physical presence on a G-4 status (only for retiree)
  • Travel chart indicating departures and arrivals from and to the United States as proof that the physical presence requirement has been met (only for retiree)
  • 2 notarized letters from friends/colleagues (only for retiree)
  • A bank letter (only for retiree)
  • Pension statement (only for retiree)
  • P.18 (only for retiree)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS