ABA Journal
September 1, 2019
"The founders of SimpleCitizen resolve to streamline the immigration process."
About SimpleCitizen
SimpleCitizen has helped thousands of immigrants successfully navigate the immigration process. Save time and money by using our straightforward and personalized experience to create and file your application with confidence today.
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Who is SimpleCitizen?
For 8+ years SimpleCitizen has been making the immigration process easier and more affordable by streamlining the common hassles and headaches that are often associated with traditional immigration service providers. Developed with immigrants’ needs in mind and perfected by a team of world class innovators, engineers, and immigration attorneys, our award winning software is intuitive and easy to use.
Our Mission
Founded in 2015, SimpleCitizen is a digital immigration and visa solution designed to streamline the pathway to citizenship. Our straightforward process takes applicants from signup to completion, while saving them time and money along the way. Every day, the team works to help people find new opportunities, start new adventures and bring their families together.
How it All Started
The idea for SimpleCitizen was born in 2013 out of the personal experiences of two of the company’s co-founders. During the summer of 2013, Sam Stoddard (co-founder and CEO) married his wife, who's originally from South Korea, and experienced the complex USCIS immigration application process himself. They were told by an immigration lawyer that, even though their case was straightforward, the legal fees alone would still cost thousands of dollars.
As a tax accounting student at the time, rather than pay thousands of dollars, Sam attempted to tackle the 80+ pages of government forms himself. With his new wife’s immigration status on the line, he quickly realized how confusing and stressful the process is.
In early 2014, Aydé Soto Wright (co-founder and CTO) was working in software technology in Monterrey, Mexico. She made the life-changing decision to marry her husband (Utah-native) and move to the United States to start their life together. She was quickly overwhelmed by the hundreds of pages of paperwork and immigration laws she had to navigate. On top of that, she was just starting to learn English and there were no resources for a Spanish speaker. As a technologist and software engineer, Aydé thought, “¡Tiene que haber una manera más fácil de hacer esto si usamos tecnología!” (there’s got to be an easier way to do this if we use technology!).
The first-hand experiences from both Aydé and Sam, inspired each of them to create a simpler, tech-enabled way for people to navigate the immigration process and access professional services – similar to how millions of people prepare their tax filing each year online. They soon joined forces, adding their third co-founder, Brady Stoddard who was an experienced product designer and marketer. They built and launched the first version of the SimpleCitizen software in the summer of 2015. Since then the company has grown to support customers and employees around the world. Read more about their story in the press highlights below.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Click a question to expand and learn more!
- How does SimpleCitizen work?
- After you complete the eligibility quiz and sign up for your SimpleCitizen account, you will officially start your journey with us by filling out your SimpleCitizen questionnaire - which collects all the information needed to fill out your USCIS forms. Throughout the questionnaire, you will be asked to upload certain documents that help support your application and prove your eligibility for the immigration benefit you are requesting from USCIS. SimpleCitizen will also translate any government-issued documents that are required by USCIS for you. Once your questionnaire is complete and your supporting documents have been uploaded and translated, you can submit your application for review. Standard cases receive a SimpleCitizen accuracy check, which is a comparison between the forms you generated and the supporting documents you provided to ensure that the information is consistent and free of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. Premium, Deluxe, and Professional cases will receive a legal review by an independent immigration attorney. All reviews will be completed within 5-10 business days.After the attorney completes their legal review, you will then be assigned to a case manager who will share the attorney’s feedback and easy-to-follow instructions on how to improve your application using the tools available with your SimpleCitizen account. Once you have made your updates, we will ship the entire application to your home or a FedEx office for pickup. You will just need to sign your forms, include your applicable USCIS fees, passport-sized photos (if required), and mail the package to USCIS following our included and detailed instructions.Read More
- How much does the immigration process cost?
- Here at SimpleCitizen, our mission is to streamline the immigration process by making it easier to understand and more affordable. The price of your SimpleCitizen application package depends on which service level you choose. You can compare service levels and prices here.IMPORTANT: You will need to pay your USCIS filing fees. They are NOT included in your SimpleCitizen service fee. Additionally, USCIS fees vary based on application type and are subject to change by the government. We know saving for, and identifying what USCIS filing fees apply to your situation can be stressful. SimpleCitizen’s support team is here to guide you. You can also look up USCIS filing fees using the USCIS fee calculator.Read More
- How do I know if I can use SimpleCitizen and am eligible to apply for immigration benefits?
- We get it. Determining whether you are eligible for an immigration benefit can be very difficult for some people. That’s why we’ve created our eligibility quiz. By answering just a few questions, our software can help you figure out which immigration benefits you might qualify for on your own. After you determine your eligibility, you can get started on your selected application type. Contact our live chat for support if you have questions as you go through the quiz. We’d be happy to assist you!
- I’m trying to decide between your deluxe and professional packages. How can I choose which package is best for me?
- If you’re looking for legal advice and the peace of mind only a licensed immigration attorney can provide, our Deluxe or Professional packages could be great options. If you need advice about your situation, are nervous about the interview, or just want the opportunity to sit down and talk with an Immigration Attorney and your options, we recommend signing up for the Professional package. While there are a lot of similarities between the Deluxe and Professional packages, the Professional package is unique in that it includes 3 attorney consultations at vital touchpoints in your immigration journey. Of the two options, it provides the greatest value.
- Who will be reviewing my application?
- SimpleCitizen partners with a network of independent immigration attorneys who review the applications generated by customers who purchase premium, deluxe and professional packages. Immigration attorney legal reviews usually include recommendations about making an application more accurate and complete while providing legal advice tailored to your situation. This helps make sure you are putting your best foot forward and can more successfully navigate submitting your application to USCIS.IMPORTANT: Standard application packages are not reviewed by an independent immigration attorney. Instead, a SimpleCitizen case manager reviews them for spelling mistakes, grammar issues, and consistency. No matter what application package you choose, SimpleCitizen employees cannot give you legal advice. If you want the peace of mind and legal guidance only an immigration attorney can provide, we suggest purchasing a premium, deluxe, or professional application package.
- How long does it take to have the application finalized and ready to send to USCIS?
- Here at SimpleCitizen, we work hard to get you your application feedback as quickly as possible. Application reviews are completed in the order they are received, and the average turnaround time is approximately 5-10 business days. As soon as your application feedback is ready, you will be assigned a SimpleCitizen case manager who will share your feedback with you and guide you through the rest of the process. Once you have implemented the feedback provided, depending on the package you purchased, we will either send you a final PDF or we will ship the entire application to your address or a pickup location of your choice, ready to sign and send off to USCIS.
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Reach out to our chat support or explore the SimpleCitizen learning center for more info.
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