Protection & Immigration Filings
Affirmative Asylum (I-589)
Protection for those facing persecution
We prepare your forms, organize your documents, and draft the letters for your case.
Calculate the estimated cost of your process
From 3 pages: $10 USD/page
This calculation is an initial estimate. Fees start at $790 USD and may vary depending on documentation and the administrative needs of the process. Government fees may change. There may be additional costs not included in this calculator.
Visa Express Fees
From $790 USD
Government Fee
$300
Estimated Time
6-24 months
*Approximate costs. Consult with our team for specifics about your case.
Packages and Options
ESSENTIAL
USD 790I-589 + base document organization.
COMPLETE
USD 990Expanded file + reinforced preparation.
INTEGRAL
USD 1,190Greater organization + up to 2 preparation sessions.
FORM
I-589
Real client information
INTERVIEW
1–2 sessions
Depending on package
SCOPE
No legal advice
Administrative preparation
What is affirmative asylum?
Affirmative asylum is a form of protection for people who are physically present in the United States and fear returning to their home country due to persecution related to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. The application is filed with USCIS using Form I-589. It generally must be filed within one year of your most recent entry into the United States, except for recognized exceptions. The process includes an interview with an asylum officer; if the case is not approved and the person has no other valid status, it may be referred to immigration court.
Who Might This Be Right For?
Are physically present in the United States.
Fear returning to their home country due to persecution.
The feared persecution relates to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group.
Can clearly document or explain the facts underlying their fear.
Are within the first year of their most recent entry into the United States, or can argue a recognized exception.
Do not have a prior asylum application already finally decided.
Do not have protection available in a safe third country, except for exceptions.
Are willing to take part in an interview with a USCIS asylum officer.
What's Included in the Service?
Process Preparation
Documents & Letter Drafting
Filing & Follow-up
What's Not Included?
Affirmative asylum is a legal process. Visa Express prepares the administrative documentation; cases requiring legal analysis, defense strategy, or representation before a court must be referred to an immigration attorney.
Documents That May Be Used
The final list will depend on the information provided. These documents should not be uploaded through the public contact form.
Process Steps
Advisory request
The client completes the initial form or contacts an advisor.
Initial review
We gather general information about the facts and time spent in the United States.
Engagement
We confirm the scope of service, the applicable price, and the terms of engagement.
Questionnaire and documents
The client receives the questionnaire and personalized document checklist.
Preparation and Drafting of the Statement & Client's review
We prepare Form I-589 and the personal statement for the case. The client reviews and confirms that all information is complete and correct.
Filing
We provide instructions to sign and file the case with USCIS.
Biometrics
USCIS schedules the applicant for fingerprinting and a photo.
Interview and decision
An asylum officer interviews the applicant before issuing a decision or referring the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, the application must be filed within one year of your most recent entry into the United States. There are exceptions recognized by USCIS, which must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
It may still be possible to file if a recognized exception applies. These cases require careful review and, often, an attorney's involvement.
It is possible to apply for employment authorization once a certain amount of time has passed with the application pending, subject to current USCIS rules.
If the person has no other valid immigration status, the case may be referred to immigration court, where legal representation is generally required.
A spouse and unmarried children under 21 who are in the United States can be included in the same application, under the applicable rules.
As a reference, it can take approximately 6 to 24 months, but actual timelines vary significantly depending on USCIS's caseload.
Visa Express fees start at $790 USD. The government fee (from USD 300, subject to change) is paid separately. Certified translations start at $15 USD per page.
No. Visa Express prepares the administrative documentation. Legal representation, case strategy, and defense before a court must be handled by an immigration attorney.
No. The decision belongs exclusively to USCIS or, if the case is referred, to an immigration judge.
Important terms of service
- The application generally must be filed within the first year of entering the United States, except for exceptions recognized by USCIS.
- Fees start at $790 USD.
- The final amount is confirmed after reviewing the administrative needs of the case.
- Certified translations are billed separately starting at $15 USD per page.
- The client must provide truthful, complete, and up-to-date information.
- The client must review and approve the statement and forms before signing them.
- USCIS timelines are estimates, may change, and are currently subject to significant backlogs.
- Requests for additional evidence are not included unless expressly stated.
- Affirmative asylum is a legal process; cases involving expired deadlines, criminal history, court proceedings, or a complex immigration history must be referred to an immigration attorney.
- Filing an application does not guarantee approval.
- A pending application is not the same as an approval.
- If the case is not approved and the person has no other valid status, it may be referred to immigration court.
- USCIS may request additional documents or information.
- Omitting or misrepresenting information may seriously affect the process.
Visa Express's general Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy apply. This service does not constitute legal representation.
Important Notice
Legal Notice: Visa Express LLC provides document preparation and administrative support services. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal representation. Supporting letters and statements are prepared exclusively with the information and documents provided by the client, who must review and approve them before use; they do not constitute legal advice. The applicant reviews and signs their own application. The final decision rests with the applicable government authority.
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