Guide to Form DS-234

DS-234 is a lesser-known form in the United States immigration system. This is because the form is used by very few people. Nonetheless, DS-234 is highly important for immigrants who are eligible for it. In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Form DS-234.

What is Form DS-234?

Form DS-234 is among the many immigration-related application forms used by the US, Department of State. The form is reserved specifically for those who wish to apply for resettlement assistance from the US government. Form DS-234 is officially known as the Special Immigration Visa Biodata Form. It is available on the US State government’s website for download and use.

The refugee settlement is funded by the Department of State and the Department of Health and Human Services. With the DS-234, you’re requesting resettlement assistance from the Department of State.

DS-234 is an e-form, similar to other forms of resident returning visas. This means you have to download it, complete it online, and send back as an attachment to the respective department. While you can physically complete it with ink and then convert it back to e-form by scanning. But with so many online form filling services out there, completing it online seems the better and easier option.

Who Needs DS-234?

Form DS-234 applies to anyone who wishes to access the resettlement assistance provided by the US government and is eligible to do so. Immigrants eligible for such assistance are classified under the Special Immigrants category.

Resettlement benefits are part of the Reception and Placement (R&P) Program. This program aims to provide financial assistance among other benefits to certain refugees for settling in the United States. All refugees are entitled to receive $900 upon arriving. Click here to find other benefits. The benefits are delivered by Refugee Resettlement Agencies who are affiliated with the DOS.

Typically these two categories of immigrants are eligible for resettlement assistance, but it’s not a hard and fast rule:

1. Iraqi nationals who worked on behalf of the US government
2. Afghan nationals who worked on the behalf of the US government

These categories of immigrants can arrive in the United States as refugees through the Preference-2 program, and hence are eligible for Reception and Placement Program.

But generally speaking, any foreign national seeking admission into the US as a refugee is eligible for the R&P program as determined by the Department of State. They must, however, come in using the US Refugee Admission Program or USRAP.

 Therefore, you need to file DS-234 to be considered for the program. Click here for more information on refugee admission.

How to Complete DS-234?

DS-234 can be a bit intimidating, but it’s a simple form to deal with. Since DS-234 is a biodata form, you’re required to provide a lot of personal information in this form. It is a 2-page document containing 5 (five) sections and 22 (twenty-two) questions.

Section A: Case Information

You do not have to fill out the first section. This is meant for the National Visa Center to deal with. The fields required are NVC Case Number, Assigned Post, and Post POC Information, but you need to leave these blank and move to the next section.

Section B: Case Member

This section pertains to you and the people traveling with you as a refugee. There are 20 questions in this section asking you for some personal details.

Q1 – You need to provide the number of people traveling with you including yourself. S,o if your group comprises five members, write Five.

Q2 – If you’re the principal applicant or PA, you need to tick Yes, otherwise No.

Q3 – If you’re not the PA, then you have to specify the relationship you hold with the PA. If you’re his/her son, then specify son and so on.

Q4 – The fourth question will ask you for your full legal name. So put in your first, middle, and last name as mentioned in other ID documents.

Q5 – For the fifth question, you need to specify your gender, either male or female or trans.

Q6 – The sixth question pertains to your marital status. If you’re married, specify as married otherwise unmarried or divorced or widowed, whichever suits your case.

 Q7 – Here you need to provide your date of birth or DOB in the format mm-dd-yyyy.

Q8 – The place where you were born. Specify the city and country.

Q9 – Your current nationality.

Q10 – Your ethnicity

Q11 – Your religion

Q12 – Herein, you need to specify your current physical address.

Q13 – Provide the phone numbers you are reachable at. You can provide multiple phone numbers.

Q14 – Provide your primary email address.

Q15 – Specify your current occupation/skill.

Q16 – Specify your highest education qualification you possess and the field of study.

Q17 – Write down your native language. Along with that, specify your writing, reading, and speaking ability.

Q18 – If you’re proficient in any other languages besides your native language, then specify them. Also, specify your writing, speaking, and reading ability for each specified language.

Q19 – If you know English as a language, then affirm the same. Specify your writing, speaking, and reading ability.

Q20 – If you’re pregnant at the time of filling out this form, then you need to affirm and specify the estimated delivery date in the format mm/dd/yyyy. Leave it blank if you’re not pregnant.

Section C: Cross-Reference

This section only has one question, which is a yes-or-no query.

Q21 – Do you have any other immediate family members who are processing their special immigrant visa? If yes, then you need to specify their name, the relationship they have with you, and the immigrant visa case number. If not, you just tick on “No” and leave the section blank.

Section D: US Ties

Q22 – If you have any of your family members living in the US, then select Yes, otherwise No.

Many refugees are already living in the United States either as permanent residents or American citizens. The United States government and volunteering agencies make every possible attempt to reunite them.

If you have your family members living in the United States, then provide their name, relationship they possess with you, gender, address, phone number, and E-mail address. Provide as many contacts as you can.

Section E: Comments

If you want to let the Department of State know of any other facts or information, feel free to specify in this section. This can strengthen your chances of getting assistance benefits.

Each member of your group must submit a separate form.

Where to File Form DS-234?

DS-234 is an e-form. So you have to download it from the Department of State website which you can find here and send back as an email attachment. You’re required to send it to the NVC or National Visa Center at SIV@wrapsnet.org, unless otherwise directed.

DS-234 Cost

There are no processing fees for DS-234 and it is free of cost. You may have to incur translation charges or attorney fees depending on which services you availed.

The resettlement assistance can be sought for the first 90 days upon your arrival into the United States. Beyond this time limit, it will be tough to apply for such assistance programs. The resettlement money received needs to be carefully utilized on necessary utilities like apartment, travel fare, food, clothes, etc. Often you’ll be guided by resettlement case managers throughout the process.

Conclusion

While the DS-234 form filling process is easy and straightforward, we recommend you to get in touch with an immigration attorney in case of confusion.

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

See author's posts