Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48224399

Points: 2

# Comments: 0

https://fillvisa.com/form/usa-ds160/

The State Department's CEAC portal times out constantly. Session expires, you lose progress. Every tool that solves this charges some money, or bundles you into an attorney service.

So I built a free interface to fill your DS-160 comfortably at your own pace - then a one-click bookmarklet autofills the CEAC portal for you. No account. No data leaving your browser. 100% free.

~10M+ nonimmigrant visa applicants file this form every year.

It's a free USCIS form-filling web-app(no Adobe required). USCIS forms still use XFA PDFs, which don’t let you edit in most browsers. Even with Adobe, fields break, and getting the signature is hard.

So I converted the PDF form into modern, browser-friendly web forms - and kept every field 1:1 with the original. You fill the form, submit it, and get the official USCIS PDF filled.

I found out SimpleCitizen(YC S16) offers a DIY plan for $529 [2]

So, a free (and local-only) version might be a good alternative

[1] https://fillvisa.com/demo

[2] https://www.simplecitizen.com/pricing/

It's a free USCIS form-filling web-app(no Adobe required). USCIS forms still use XFA PDFs, which don’t let you edit in most browsers. Even with Adobe, fields break, and getting the signature is hard.

So I converted the PDF form into modern, browser-friendly web forms - and kept every field 1:1 with the original. You fill the form, submit it, and get the official USCIS PDF filled.

I found out SimpleCitizen(YC S16) offers a DIY plan for $529 [2]

So, a free (and local-only) version might be a good alternative

[1] https://fillvisa.com/demo

[2] https://www.simplecitizen.com/pricing/

USCIS forms still use XFA PDFs, which don’t let you edit in most browsers. Even with Adobe, some fields break and are unfillable.

So I converted the PDF form into modern, browser-friendly web forms - and kept every field 1:1 with the original. You fill the form, submit it, and get the official USCIS PDF filled.

I found out SimpleCitizen(YC S16) offers a DIY plan for $529 [1]

---

What Fillvisa does:

- Fills USCIS forms with a guided web interface. - Autosaves as you go - Generates a completed PDF ready to print and mail - Works offline after first load

What it doesn't do:

- It won't file for you. - No lawyer review. If your case is complex, hire an attorney.

---

How do I maintain the forms + business model:

Fillvisa will always be 100% free for immigrants. I'm building a paid version (plus.fillvisa.com) for immigration professionals (lawyers, paralegals, document prep specialists).

Both the apps utilize the same form + mapping. Thus,it takes care of revenue + I have incentive to maintain the forms.

---

I shared the prototype on FB groups and Reddit - most DIY applicants love it :)

---

[1] https://www.simplecitizen.com/pricing/

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47664322

Points: 1

# Comments: 0

As others mentioned, I couldn't hear the sound.

There is a dire need for a good quality arabic learning app.

It's a free USCIS form-filling web-app(no Adobe required). USCIS forms still use XFA PDFs, which don’t let you edit in most browsers. Even with Adobe, fields break, and getting the signature is hard.

So I converted the PDF form into modern, browser-friendly web forms - and kept every field 1:1 with the original. You fill the form, submit it, and get the official USCIS PDF filled.

I found out SimpleCitizen(YC S16) offers a DIY plan for $529 [2]

So, a free (and local-only) version might be a good alternative

[1] https://fillvisa.com/demo [2] https://www.simplecitizen.com/pricing/

It's a free USCIS form-filling web-app(no Adobe required). USCIS forms still use XFA PDFs, which don’t let you edit in most browsers. Even with Adobe, fields break, and getting the signature is hard.

The core product is free 100%. I'm building a paid version for lawyers/law firms (https://plus.fillvisa.com/).

In my case, building a free product helps in: - genuinely helping users/immigrants - it helps in word of mouth, growth - We use the same forms for Free and Plus. So, more feedback = more improvements.

Note: It's still in developement. But, the early feedback has been positive.

I'm actually a user of https://wip.co/ . I think it's quite similar to your project. You should check it out. Also, check out https://peerlist.io/

Social platforms/marketplaces are genuinely difficult, cause it only works if you have enough users (both, demand and supply).

Since it's your early projects (I'm assuming), I think you should built it purely for the sake of learning and feedback. Even if it doesn't work out, the experince is extremely valuable.

Later - if you are serious about a sustainable project - I would recommend that you study your alternatives/competitors (such as the ones I just shared), and figure out what works for them and what are their users missing.

:)

Just google "uscis adobe site:reddit.com"

Lot's of people experience this pain point on how to fill/edit the USCIS PDFs. For now, that's my entry point

1. Our web forms are exactly based on the official USCIS's PDF, with smart logic. If you fill A -> section B is hidden -> jump directly to section C (you get the point)

2. Regarding high risk: When a user fills our form, they get the official USCIS PDF filled. All the instructions are given in the PDF. At the end, the user has to submit the form by themselves.

3. "The "free alternative" positioning also creates a distribution problem..." "The people who most need this are the least likely to find a developer's side project on HN or GitHub" - you are right. I just shared what I'm building on HN. I share my project on immigration subreddits + FB groups. Thats where my audience is. So far, I've received positive review. In the long run, I'm leaning on: community + word of mouth + SEO

4. "..., but the actual competition is immigration attorneys at $2,000-5,000 and free legal aid clinics". Fillvisa is aimed at DIY applicants. People who need legal advise should absolutely hire legal help.

5. "One more operational risk worth flagging: USCIS revises forms regularly and without much warning..." - fillvisa.com is 100% free. That said, I'm also building a paid version (plus.fillvisa.com) for immigration lawyers/law firms. Both the apps utilize the same form + mapping. Thus that cares of revenue + I have incentive to maintain the forms.

It's a free USCIS form-filling web-app(no Adobe required). USCIS forms still use XFA PDFs, which don’t let you edit in most browsers. Even with Adobe, fields break, and getting the signature is hard.

So I converted the PDF form into modern, browser-friendly web forms - and kept every field 1:1 with the original. You fill the form, submit it, and get the official USCIS PDF filled.

https://fillvisa.com/demo/

I found out simplecitizen offers a DIY plan for $529 (https://www.simplecitizen.com/pricing/)

So, a free (and local-only) version might be a good alternative

- I own a Kindle. I also have the Kindle chrome extension. - Anytime I came across an interesting article/blog, I use the extension and send the article to my kindle - Pro: I end up actually reading the articles - Con: My library is filled with hundreds of articles

It's just, these problems aren't the sexiest

https://fillvisa.com/demo/

What Fillvisa does:

- Fill USCIS forms directly in your browser - no Adobe needed

- 100% free

- No login/account required

- Autosave as you type

- Local-only storage (your data never leaves the browser)

- Clean, mobile-friendly UI

- Generates the official USCIS PDF, ready to submit

- Built-in signature pad

I just wanted a fast, modern, free way to complete the actual USCIS form itself without the PDF headaches. This is a beta version

Excalidraw is one example I know. Are there other real success stories where ungated freemium actually worked long-term?

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46604530

Points: 1

# Comments: 0