Fill Out USCIS Form I-821D Online
Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Requests or renews Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
Reviewed July 2026
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USCIS Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is the request form for the DACA policy, which offers certain people who came to the United States as children a renewable period of deferred action and eligibility to request work authorization. It is used both for initial requests and for renewals.
You can complete Form I-821D in the Universal PDF editor, typing your entry history, address history, and education details into the form, then download the finished PDF to sign and file. Because DACA filings are date-sensitive, having a clean, complete form ready helps you file inside your renewal window.
What is Form I-821D used for
The form asks USCIS to consider granting or renewing deferred action under the DACA policy. Deferred action is a discretionary decision not to pursue removal for a set period; it is not a visa, a green card, or a path to permanent status by itself.
DACA has been the subject of ongoing federal court litigation for years, and the rules about whether USCIS can grant initial requests versus renewals have shifted with court orders. Check the USCIS DACA page for the current state of processing before you file.
Who files Form I-821D
The requestor files for themselves. The DACA guidelines have historically covered people who came to the United States before age 16, have lived here continuously since the required date, were under a specified age when the policy began, meet education or military service criteria, and pass criminal history requirements.
Renewal filers are people who currently have or previously had DACA. USCIS has recommended submitting renewal requests roughly 120 to 150 days before the current grant expires so work authorization does not lapse.
How to fill out Form I-821D
Accuracy and consistency with your prior filings matter, especially for renewals, since USCIS compares your answers against earlier requests.
- Part 1 collects your personal information, arrival details, immigration history, and current status information.
- The form asks whether this is an initial request or a renewal; renewal filers complete a shorter set of questions about changes since the last grant.
- Education and military service sections document how you meet the guidelines, with supporting evidence such as school records or transcripts.
- Criminal history and public safety questions must be answered fully; incomplete disclosures cause problems later.
- Sign and date the request, and prepare the companion employment authorization forms that DACA filings require.
Filing tips
Form I-821D is filed together with Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and its worksheet, Form I-765WS. Check the current fees for the package with the USCIS fee calculator, and use the current form editions listed on the USCIS website.
Keep copies of everything you file and proof of delivery. Because DACA policy and litigation change, it is wise to review the latest USCIS announcements before filing and to consult an immigration attorney or accredited representative, especially if you have any arrests, prior removal history, or long trips outside the United States.
Frequently asked questions
Court orders have changed what USCIS can accept and process over time, and the treatment of initial requests differs from renewals. Check the USCIS DACA page for the current status before filing.
USCIS has recommended filing renewal requests about 120 to 150 days before your current DACA and work permit expire, to reduce the risk of a gap.
Yes. DACA requests are filed together with Form I-765 and the Form I-765WS worksheet, which explains your economic need for employment authorization.
No. Deferred action is a discretionary, temporary measure and does not by itself create a path to permanent residence. Some recipients may qualify for other benefits based on separate facts, which is worth reviewing with an immigration attorney.
Only with advance parole granted before you leave, historically requested on Form I-131 for specific humanitarian, educational, or employment purposes. Leaving without it has serious consequences.
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