Fill out I-589 (Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal) online
Form I-589 is used to apply for asylum in the United States, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). Asylum is a form of protection for individuals who have been persecuted or fear persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
How to fill out I-589 (Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal)
Complete biographical information
Enter your full legal name, all other names used, date of birth, nationality, immigration status, and all addresses. Provide passport and travel document details. List all family members.
Describe the basis for your claim
In Part B, describe in detail the persecution you have experienced or fear. Explain who persecuted you, what happened, when and where it occurred, and why you believe you were targeted. Connect your experience to one or more of the five protected grounds.
Provide supporting evidence
Attach a detailed personal declaration (your story in your own words), country condition reports, medical or psychological evaluations if applicable, police reports, news articles, and any other evidence supporting your claim.
Review and file
Sign the application and submit to the appropriate USCIS service center (affirmative) or Immigration Court (defensive). There is no filing fee. Include all supporting documentation and keep copies of everything.
About I-589 (Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal)
Who needs this form
Individuals physically present in the United States or arriving at a U.S. port of entry who fear persecution in their home country. The application must generally be filed within one year of arrival in the U.S., though exceptions exist. The form is also used defensively in removal proceedings.
Where to submit
Affirmative applications (not in removal proceedings) are filed with the USCIS Nebraska Service Center. Defensive applications (in removal proceedings) are filed with the Immigration Court. There is no filing fee for the I-589.
Source and content freshness
- Reviewed: 2026-02-16
- Filing deadlines may shift for weekends and holidays. Verify due dates with official instructions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing the one-year filing deadline (must file within 1 year of last arrival, with limited exceptions)
- Not providing a detailed personal declaration describing the persecution or feared persecution
- Failing to connect the persecution to one of the five protected grounds (race, religion, nationality, social group, political opinion)
- Inconsistencies between the written application and oral testimony at the interview or hearing
- Not including evidence of country conditions supporting the claim
Frequently asked questions
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Is there a filing fee for the I-589?
No. There is no filing fee for asylum applications. USCIS does not charge a fee to file Form I-589, regardless of whether it is filed affirmatively with USCIS or defensively with the Immigration Court.
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