Many applicants who need to fill out immigration forms for US visas, citizenship, green cards, and other applications or immigration processes find the process very confusing. One reason is because most US immigration forms are in English while immigrants often speak other languages and are only learning English. Even for a native English speaker US immigration can be confusing because they contain complex instructions, formal language and sometimes legal terms.
If you need to file immigration forms and languages other than English, it makes sense to seek out
US immigration forms in these other languages. Filling out immigration forms in languages you feel comfortable in makes it easier for you to understand the forms and reduces the chance of error.
Luckily, the USCIS does make immigration forms and resources available in languages other than English. Since Spanish is one of the most-spoken languages in the US, for example, it is simple to find Spanish forms on the official USCIS website and in many cases when speaking to USCIS officials, it is possible to find a Spanish-speaking representative.
The USCIS also has a portal for non-Enlgish speakers. Here, applicants can find resources and forms written in languages other than English. There are immigration forms and resources in Chinese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese, for example. In addition, the USCIS offers some guides and some forms in languages such as Arabic, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Somali, Urdu, and others. It is important to note that not all US immigration resources and forms are available in all languages.
If you cannot find the information or immigration forms you need in your native language, you have several options. You can have the immigration forms you need translated by a professional translator so that you can understand them. You can also get help filling out the forms you need from someone who understands both English and your native language. Many communities have citizenship classes and other resources which can be very helpful in this regard. Local libraries often carry books about the immigration process in a number of languages and these can also be good non-English resources to help you. If you cannot understand immigration forms in English, it is important to get help from one or more of these sources if you cannot find the needed forms in your native language. Any errors on your forms can lead to delays and possibly additional costs.