A dated copy of the official FAQ, identity and civil documents for each family member, the materials USCIS requests for Form I-140G, and a clear record of the funds intended for the fee and gift. Use the current official portal instructions rather than an ordinary EB-1 or EB-2 evidence checklist.
Prepare for the category, not only for the payment
Begin with a printout of the official program page and FAQ with the date noted, so that any later change in terms is visible. Gather passports, birth and marriage records for every person who will be included, remembering that each spouse and unmarried child under twenty-one carries their own fee and gift under the terms read on September 7, 2026. After payment of the processing fee, follow the USCIS email and portal instructions for Form I-140G and submit the supporting documents the government requests.
Add a summary of prior U.S. travel and any immigration history for the admissibility review. Finally, keep a clear record of the funds intended for the fee and gift and follow the official payment instructions.
Do not substitute a private checklist of awards, publications or fellowships for the current official instructions. A first review builds an evidence matrix with an official-program copy, civil records, payment-source records, and the materials needed for the chosen EB category. Hypothetical example: an orchid-hybridization researcher keeps awards and publications under a former surname.
Marriage documentation and publication records connect the identities; an unexplained name difference invites delay. Keep originals available, date the official page, and verify that the applicant—not a sponsor—will remit payment to the U.S. government.