USCIS Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, is a document used by individuals who are physically present in the United States to apply for asylum or for withholding of removal. These forms of protection are aimed at individuals who have suffered persecution or fear that they will suffer persecution due to race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion if they return to their home country.
The form allows applicants to explain their reasons for fearing persecution and to provide details about their situation. It is a crucial step for those seeking to remain in the U.S. under humanitarian protections, and it can also be used by individuals who are not currently in removal proceedings. Completing this form accurately is vital, as it serves as the foundation for the applicant’s asylum interview and case evaluation by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
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So, for filing this form, attach supporting documents:
When filling out this application for asylum and protection from torture and persecution, use our software to fill out this form. Do not forget to check the application and sign it. Otherwise, you will miss the opportunity to get these benefits in the United States.
What it is: USCIS Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, is used to apply for asylum in the United States and for withholding of removal.[2]
Who signs: You must sign your application in Part D and respond to the questions concerning any assistance you received to complete your application, providing the information requested.[2]
Where to get it: USCIS provides forms free of charge through the USCIS website.[2]
You may file this application if you are physically present in the United States, and you are not a U.S. citizen.[2]
You must be residing in the United States to submit this form.
You must type or print all of your answers in black ink on Form I-589.
Your answers must be completed in English. Forms completed in a language other than English will be returned to you.
You must provide the specific information requested about you and your family and answer all the questions asked. If any question does not apply to you or you do not know the information requested, answer "none," "not applicable," or "unknown."[2]
Check this box if you also want to apply for withholding of removal under the Convention Against Torture.
To apply for withholding of removal under the Convention Against Torture, you must check the box at the top of Page 1 of the application and fully complete Form I-589.
You must include a detailed explanation of why you fear torture in response to Part B, Question 4 of the application.[2]
Alien Registration Number (A-Number) refers to your USCIS file number. If you do not already have an A-Number, USCIS will assign one to you.[2]
You must provide your residential street address (the address where you physically live) in the United States in Part A.I., Question 8, of the asylum application.
You may also provide a mailing address, if different from the address where you reside, in Question 9.[2]
In Question 13, use the current name of the country. Do not use historical, ethnic, provincial, or other local names.
Check the box, a through c, that applies: a, I have never been in Immigration Court proceedings; b, I am now in Immigration Court proceedings; c, I am not now in Immigration Court proceedings, but I have been in the past.[2]
In Question 19c, enter the date and status as it appears on Form I-94. If you did not receive Form I-94, write "None."[2]
You must list your spouse and all of your children, including your stepchildren, deceased children, adopted children, and adult children, in this application, regardless of their age, marital status, whether they are in the United States, or whether or not they are included in this application or are filing a separate asylum application.
In addition, you may include in your asylum application your spouse and/or any children who are under 21 years of age and unmarried, if they are in the United States.
Children who are married and/or children who are 21 years of age or older must file separately for asylum by submitting their own Form I-589.
If you have more than four children, complete Form I-589 Supplement A for each additional child or attach additional pages and documentation providing the same information asked in Part A.II. of Form I-589.[2]
Your responses to the questions concerning the places you have lived, your education, and your employment history must be in reverse chronological order starting with your current residence, education, and employment and working back in time.
List your last address where you lived before coming to the United States. If this is not the country where you fear persecution, also list the last address in the country where you fear persecution.[2]
For Question 1, check the box(es) next to the reason(s) that you are completing this application.
For all other questions, check "Yes" or "No" in the box provided.
If you answer "Yes" to any question, explain in detail using Form I-589, Supplement B or additional sheets of paper, as needed.[2]
If you answer "Yes" to Question 5, you must explain why you did not apply for asylum within the first year after you arrived in the United States.[2]
Sign after you have completed and reviewed the application.
By signing you certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America, that this application and the evidence submitted with it are all true and correct.
Signature of Applicant (The person in Part A.I.) Sign your name so it all appears within the brackets [ ]
Did someone other than your spouse, parent, or child(ren) prepare this application? Yes (If "Yes," complete Part E.)
Applicants determined to have knowingly made a frivolous application for asylum will be permanently ineligible for any benefits under the Immigration and Nationality Act.[2]
Any person, other than an immediate family member (your spouse, parent(s) or children), who helped prepare your application must sign the application in Part E and provide the information requested.
Failure of the preparer to sign will result in the application being returned to you as an incomplete application.[2]
If you need more space, attach Form I-589 Supplement A or B (included in the application package) and/or additional sheet(s) indicating the question number(s) you are answering.[2]
Do not sign your application in Part F before filing this form.
Do not sign your application in Part G before filing this form.
Box 7, NOTE: You must, however, sign Part D of the application.[2]
You MUST file this application within 1 year after you arrived in the United States, unless you can show that there are changed circumstances that affect your eligibility for asylum or extraordinary circumstances that prevented you from filing within 1 year.[2]
If you are in proceedings in Immigration Court, unless you are filing as an unaccompanied alien child (UAC): If you are currently in proceedings in Immigration Court (that is, if you have been served with Form I-221, Order to Show Cause and Notice of Hearing; Form I-122, Notice to Applicant for Admission Detained for Hearing Before Immigration Judge; Form I-862, Notice to Appear; or Form I-863, Notice of Referral to Immigration Judge), you are required to file your Form I-589 with the Immigration Court having jurisdiction over your case. If you are not in proceedings in Immigration Court or before the Board of Immigration Appeals, and also if you are a UAC but you are not in removal proceedings: mail your completed Form I-589 and any other additional information as indicated on the USCIS website: uscis.gov/i-589.[2]
See Form G-1055, available at uscis.gov/forms, for specific information about the fees applicable to this form.[2]
[1] Form I-589 (Edition 07/28/26), Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (the Official source link on this page).