How to Apply for DACA in 2025: Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction: Learning About the DACA Program in 2025

If you were brought to the U.S. as a child and are seeking protection from deportation in 2025, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program may be your chance.

This guide describes precisely how to apply for DACA today, what the DACA application requirements are, and how to process your application with complete legal precision.

Disclaimer: At this time, there is no indication that initial DACA applications will be accepted in the future. While existing DACA recipients may continue to renew their status, the program remains subject to ongoing legal challenges and changes. Anyone considering applying should consult with a qualified immigration attorney for the most current information and guidance.

What is DACA?

 

DACA, initiated in 2012, protects qualifying immigrants (also referred to as Dreamers) from removal and allows them to be authorized to work.

However, it does not offer permanent immigration status or citizenship alone, leaving most Dreamers to ask, how can a DACA become a citizen? We’ll discover all in this guide.

As of 2025:

• USCIS is processing DACA renewal requests.
• Is DACA taking new applications? New first-time applications are being accepted but not yet processed.

Who Is Eligible for DACA in 2025?

The DACA eligibility requirements have not changed much since the initial 2012 rules, but you have to meet strict requirements.

You are eligible for DACA if you:

• Were below the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012
• Arrived in the U.S. before their 16th birthday
• Have remained living in the U.S. since June 15, 2007
• Were present in the U.S. physically on June 15, 2012
• Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012
• Are currently enrolled in school, graduated, have received a GED, or are honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces
• Have no serious convictions of a felony, significant misdemeanor or multiple misdemeanors as well as not pose a threat to public safety or national security.

Most candidates wonder who can apply for DACA, or what the DACA requirements are — these points cover both.

Age requirement for DACA: You need to have been born after June 16, 1981.

Requirements for Eligible New DACA Applications in 2025

Can You apply for DACA today? Here’s the complete new DACA eligibility for 2025:

• You must never have had DACA previously.
• Meet all historical qualifications (age, education, residence).
• Be prepared to provide solid evidence of presence and education.

Note: As of early 2025, is USCIS accepting new DACA applications?

Answer: USCIS accepts applications, but approvals are paused pending court decisions. Filing a solid initial DACA application now may protect your position.

Documentation Required for an initial DACA Application

To get DACA, you need to gather essential documents:

• Passport, birth certificate, or national ID card (identification)
• School records, report cards, transcripts (proof of education)
• Financial records, medical records, employment records (proof of presence)
• Criminal records (if applicable)

This documentation is essential to prove you meet the DACA program and eligibility requirements.

DACA Application Requirements: What You Must Submit

To prepare your application for DACA in 2025, you will need:

• Form I-821D (Consideration of Deferred Action)
• Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization, if you want work authorization)
• Form I-765WS (Economic need worksheet)
• All supporting documents above
• Deferred action application fee

Carefully filling out all forms prevents delays and mistakes in your DACA application.

DACA Application Fees: How Much Does It Cost in 2025

The deferred action application fee in 2025 is $605 (paper filing) or $55 (online filing) (same for renewal requests).

This includes:

• $470 (online) or $520 (paper) for Form I-765 (employment authorization)
• $85 for Form I-821D

There are no fee waivers for DACA applications. Plan accordingly.

How Long Does It Take to Get DACA Approved? (DACA Approval Time)

The average DACA approval time in 2025 is 2 to 6 months after biometrics.

Factors that can influence the timeline:

• Number of applications
• Requests for Evidence (RFEs)
• Court-related delays

Always check your USCIS case status online after submitting.

Can DACA Recipients Get a Green Card or Citizenship?

A frequent question: is there a Green card for DACA recipients? Although DACA itself does not directly result in a green card, there are options for Dreamers.

But:

• Some DACA holders marry U.S. citizens and apply for Adjustment of Status.
  • Typically an I-94 record is needed (either by entering initially on visa and overstaying or by applying for advance parole).
• Others qualify for family or employment-based green cards if eligible through legal pathways.

Is there a pathway to citizenship for DACA

While some DACA recipients to go on to be citizens, their pathway is indirect. DACA is not a lawful status, but it can allow you to pursue legalization through separate immigration categories.

DACA Renewal Requirements in 2025

If you already have DACA, you must meet DACA renewal qualifications to continue protection.

Those eligible for DACA renewal in 2025:

• Have not departed the U.S. after August 15, 2012, without Advance Parole
• Maintained continuous residence in the U.S. since your most recent approved request
• Do not have felonies, serious misdemeanors, or more than one minor misdemeanor
• DACA  status is not expired by 1 year or more

Always collect documents required for DACA renewal, including:

• Prior I-821D and I-765 approval notices
• Current EAD Card
• Any Advance Parole documents you may have if you’ve traveled on advance parole
• Current criminal background checks (if necessary)

The DACA renewal fee for 2025 is still $495 (same as first-time applications).

What Happens After You Send in a DACA Application?

Here’s what to anticipate after submission:

1. USCIS Receipt Notice (Form I-797C)
2. Biometric Appointment within 3–5 weeks
3. Background Check
4. Approval or Request for Evidence (RFE) if USCIS requires additional information

DACA approval time stays at 2–6 months in 2025, but always check your USCIS account for updates.

What If Your DACA Application Is Denied?

If your application is denied:

• Read the denial reason (insufficient documents, eligibility problem, etc.)
• Based on the reason, you can reapply or seek the advice of an immigration attorney.
• There is no official appeal procedure for DACA denials.
• Severe denials can initiate deportation consequences, particularly if unlawful presence is not addressed.

Always consult an experienced attorney if you are facing a denial — you may have options still.

How Can a DACA Recipient Become a Citizen?

 

You cannot directly jump from DACA to citizenship. Here’s how a DACA to citizen pathway usually works:

Obtain a Green Card (lawful permanent residence) through:

• Marriage to a U.S. citizen
• Family sponsorship
• Employment sponsorship (rare)

1. Certain humanitarian paths
2. Apply for U.S. Citizenship after 3–5 years of being a permanent resident.

Many applicants ask, is there a pathway to citizenship for DACA? Indirectly, yes — but it requires taking additional legal steps beyond DACA.

Special Cases: DACA Recipients and Green Cards

Some Dreamers are interested in learning about the green card for DACA possibilities.

Paths to permanent residency include:

• Marriage to a U.S. Citizen: If the last entry was lawful and with inspection, you can file for Adjustment of Status
• Family-Based Petition: Immediate family members (parents/siblings) can sometimes sponsor family-based adjustment of status filings
• Employment-Based Petition: Uncommon, requires that the last entry was lawful, that the DACA recipient is otherwise admissible and that the DACA recipient is eligible for the employment-based petition which may require a job offer and an approved labor certification
• U Visa / T Visa: Crime or trafficking victims might be eligible for special protections

Seek the advice of a certified immigration attorney for personalized strategies based on your background.

Future of DACA in 2025 and Beyond

DACA program future is unclear:

• DACA legality is still being determined by ongoing federal litigation.
• Legislative action (such as the DREAM Act) might provide permanent relief.
• Changes in USCIS policies may impact DACA adjudication.

What DACA applicants need to do:

• Renew ahead of time (120–150 days before expiration)
• Stay informed through reliable legal sources
• Make alternative immigration plans where applicable

Get Personalized Legal Assistance for Your DACA Application

Need expert guidance through the DACA application process? Visit Passage Law — our expert immigration lawyer will guide you throughout the procedure, knowing the 2025 laws inside and out.

Book your personalized consultation today!

 

DISCLAIMER: This article offers general legal information, not legal advice. Do not rely upon this information without seeking legal counsel. If you need legal advice, you may contact us directly to speak with an attorney. We disclaim all liability with respect to actions taken based on any information presented. Every case is different and outcomes will vary depending on the unique facts and legal issues of your case.