RESEARCH INSTRUMENT

Immigrant Experience & Needs Assessment

A questionnaire to understand the lived experience, challenges, and unmet needs of people navigating immigration processes — and to guide what Terra builds next. Estimated completion time: 20–25 minutes.

Section A

Respondent & Case Background

These questions help us understand who is answering, so we can see how experiences and needs differ across case types, regions, and stages — not to identify you personally. Every question here is optional.

Which age range do you fall into?

How do you describe your gender?

What country are you originally from?

What country are you currently applying to / residing in for this case?

What best describes the purpose of your immigration case?

What stage is your case currently at?

How long have you been going through this process?

Do you have legal representation for your case?

What language do you speak most at home?

What device do you use most to go online?

Section B

In Your Own Words

Please answer as openly as you'd like — there is no length requirement, and every question here is optional. These responses will be read closely and grouped into themes; specific quotes may be used (with identifying details removed) to help our team understand what to build.

What has been the single most difficult part of your immigration process so far?

Describe a specific moment when you felt confused, overwhelmed, or unsure what to do next.

What information do you wish you had known at the very beginning of this process?

How has this process affected your daily life, work, or relationships?

Who or what has helped you the most during this process? (a person, organization, website, community, etc.)

If you could change one thing about how immigration processes work, what would it be?

Section C

Your Experience — Rate Each Statement

For each statement, choose the option that best reflects how true it is for you right now. Every statement is optional — skip any that don't apply. Items marked (R) are reverse-worded on purpose — please still answer based on how much you agree with the statement exactly as written.

Section D

Rating Potential Solutions

For each idea below, rate how useful it would be to you personally, from 1 (Not useful) to 5 (Very useful). Every item here is optional.

What is the ONE thing that would have made your immigration journey easier?

If a tool like this existed, what would be a realistic monthly price for enhanced features, for you personally?

Section E

Optional Follow-Up

Everything below is optional. Leave blank to remain fully anonymous.

If you are willing to be contacted for a brief follow-up interview (about 20 minutes, optional compensation may apply), please provide an email or phone number.

Thank you. We know this process asks a lot of anyone already carrying a lot. Your time and honesty here directly shape what Terra builds next.