When applying for a family-based green card, the U.S. government will need details about your work history. If you’re applying from the U.S., you’ll need to provide your employment history for the past five years. If you’re applying from abroad, you may be required to list your employment for the past 10 years. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the requirements and offer tips for completing this section of your green card application.
What Employment History is Required?
For a green card through marriage or family sponsorship, both the applicant (the family member seeking a green card) and the sponsor (the U.S. citizen or green card holder) must provide details about their employment history.
If you’ve had only a couple of jobs during this time, it should be easy to fill out this section. But if you’ve had several jobs or moved around frequently, we’ll provide tips to make this process smoother.
Employment History Requirements for Green Card Forms
You’ll need to list your employment history on the following forms:
| Form | Who’s Employment History? | For Which Years? |
| Family Sponsorship Form (I-130) | Sponsoring family member (U.S. citizen or green card holder) | Past 5 years |
| Supplemental Form (I-130A) | Green card applicant (U.S. or abroad) | Past 5 years |
| Green Card Application (I-485) | Green card applicant in the U.S. | Past 5 years |
| Online Application (DS-260) | Green card applicant abroad | Past 10 years |
What Information is Needed?
Here’s the information you need to provide for each job:
- Employer’s Name: Name of the company or organization.
- Employer’s Address: The address where you worked.
- Your Job Title: The position or role you held.
- Start and End Dates: Exact dates (month/day/year) of employment.
Special Notes:
- For the I-130 and I-130A forms, the government assumes you’re currently employed, so it will automatically list your current employer as “PRESENT.” You cannot change this but can explain if you’re not currently working.
- For the I-485, you can specify if your most recent job is not your current job.
For Applicants Abroad:
If you’re applying from outside the U.S., the DS-260 form requires more details:
- Your primary occupation.
- The phone number of your employer.
- Your supervisor’s name.
- The exact dates you worked there.
Employment History and Other Records
Your employment history must match your address and immigration history. Any inconsistencies may lead to delays or requests for more information from USCIS. If you worked remotely or used an office address rather than your actual location, explain this on the form.
Special Situations in Employment History
You might face some challenges when filling out your employment history, but don’t worry — we’ve got some helpful tips for unusual situations:
Does Student or Internship Work Count as Employment?
Yes! If you were a full-time student or worked as an unpaid intern, this counts as employment. On the forms:
- For I-130, I-130A, and I-485, write “Student” or “Unpaid Intern” as your job title and list your school or internship as the employer.
- For DS-260, choose “STUDENT” or “OTHER” (for unpaid intern) and provide the name and address of the school or employer.
Does Part-Time Work Count?
Yes, part-time jobs are considered employment for green card applications. Include them just like full-time positions when listing your employment history.
What If I’m Unemployed, Retired, or a Homemaker?
If you were unemployed, retired, or a homemaker, you can still complete the employment history section:
- On I-130, I-130A, and I-485, write “Unemployed,” “Retired,” or “Homemaker.”
- On DS-260, choose the appropriate status (e.g., “NOT EMPLOYED” or “RETIRED”).
What If I Don’t Remember the Dates or Employers?
It’s okay if you don’t remember every job or exact date. The U.S. government understands that not everyone keeps perfect records. However, it’s important to be as accurate as possible. You can:
- Provide approximate dates and explain any missing information.
- Expect one of these outcomes:
- Your history may be accepted as is.
- You may be asked to update your form with more details.
- You might be asked about the gaps during your interview.
Tips for Remembering Old Jobs
If you’re having trouble recalling jobs or dates, here are some strategies to help:
- Check Your Résumé: This is often the easiest place to find your job history, especially if you’ve applied for jobs in the past five or ten years.
- Request an Employment Verification Letter: This letter from past employers will confirm your job, start and end dates, and position.
- Look at Your Tax Returns: Your tax documents (W-2, 1099) often list your employer’s name and address. You can also request past tax returns from the IRS.
- Request an Earnings Record: The Social Security Administration keeps detailed records of your U.S. work history. For a fee, you can request information about your previous employers and employment dates.
- Visit Your State Unemployment Office: If you’ve received unemployment benefits, they may have a record of your past employers.
- Review Other Old Records: Look through bank statements, pay stubs, or employment contracts to find job-related details.
- Check Your Credit Report: Your free annual credit report may list previous employers if you’ve applied for credit.
Completing your employment history for a green card application doesn’t need to be stressful. With some preparation and attention to detail, you can fill out this section accurately and efficiently. Be honest, provide as much information as possible, and follow up if needed. A well-prepared application is a key step toward successful green card approval.
