Family reunification for refugees and asylees

د مارچ په 14، 2025 باندې تازه شوي دي

Refugees, asylees, and Afghan SIV holders can apply to have certain family members join them in the USA. Learn more about family reunification. Find information on this program and how to apply.

چاپ

Status of family reunification 

The new administration has been making changes to immigration that have affected family reunification, such as pausing refugee processing through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). It has also currently stopped resettlement agencies from providing assistance to refugees, asylees, and SIVs.

Refugees and asylees

  • I-730 Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition is not affected. You can still apply, and follow-to-join cases are being processed. Refugee processing and admissions were paused but have now started again. However, there may still be delays or changes in how cases are handled.

Afghans and Iraqi SIV holders

  • I-824 SIV Follow-to-Join Application is not affected. You can still apply, and cases are being processed. Help with travel is not available anymore. You must arrange your own travel.

Afghan parolees

  • DS-4317 Afghan Parolee Family Reunification is on hold. You can still submit Form DS-4317, but the program is paused and could likely not restart.

Iraqis and Syrians

  • P-2 Direct Access Program is on hold. You can not apply or bring your family to the U.S. under the special USRAP I-130 program. You can still apply for family immigration through the regular I-130 process.

Parents of minors in Central America

  • Central American Minors (CAM) Program is on hold. You can not apply or bring your family through CAM, all cases are currently paused.

P-3 Affidavit of Relationship Program

  • P-3 Program is on hold. Refugees, asylees, and SIV holders in the U.S. can not currently apply for family reunification through an AOR.

Programs for refugees and asylees

There are special programs in the United States to help refugees and asylees reunite with their family members. These include Form I-730 and an Affidavit of Relationship (AOR) for refugees, asylees, and SIVs with families in high-priority countries.

دا پروګرامونه ډیری مهمې ګټې وړاندې کوي په شمول:

  • د غوښتنلیک هیڅ فیس نشته
  • ستاسو د کورنۍ غړی به ورته قانوني حیثیت ترلاسه کړي لکه څنګه چې تاسو ورسره راغلی یاست (دې ته مشتق حالت ویل کیږي)
  • You can file as soon as you arrive as a refugee or as soon as you are granted asylum (you do not have to wait until you get your Green Card)
  • دا ځینې وختونه د نورو پروسو په پرتله ګړندي کیدی شي

It is important to file for these programs as soon as you can. If you miss the deadline to file, you will still be able to apply for family reunification through the I-130 process as a Green Card holder or U.S. citizen but you will not get the same benefits.

Form I-730 Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition

What is Form I-730?

که تاسو متحده ایالاتو ته د مهاجر په توګه راغلی یاست یا تاسو ته پناه درکړل شوې وي، تاسو کولی شئ د  I-730  فورمې په کارولو سره د خپلو نږدې خپلوانو لپاره دوسیه وکړئ. دا برنامه یوازې تاسو ته اجازه درکوي د خپلې کورنۍ نږدې غړو لپاره عریضه وکړئ. پدې کې شامل دي:

  • Spouses
  • د 21 کلونو څخه کم عمر لرونکي مجرد ماشومان

Parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents do not qualify under the refugee and asylee family reunification program.

Filing Form I-730 is the main way to petition for your family member to come to the USA. You must apply within 2 years of arriving in the U.S. as a refugee or being granted asylum.

د درخواست ورکولو څرنګوالي

Refugees and asylees can file Form I-730 with USCIS. Your resettlement agency can help you find a legal representative who can help make sure that you fill out the forms correctly and can help you gather the required documents.

  • Principal applicant: the person who files an application asking for their family member to come to the USA. They are also known as the petitioner.
  • Derivative applicant: the family member for whom the petitioner has filed the application. They are also known as the beneficiary or a follow-to-join asylee or refugee.
څوک کولای شي غوښتنلیک جمع کړي؟
کډوالو او پناه غوښتونکو
Deadline
You must apply within 2 years of entering the U.S. as a refugee or being granted asylee status.
Family members
Spouse and unmarried children under 21 (at the time you were granted refugee or asylee status)
Form
File Form I-730 with supporting documents including proof of status, family relationships, and photos of family members
Fees
No fee
Processing time
Currently, USCIS takes an average of over 11 months to process I-730. Each case is different and may take more or less time to complete. You can track the status of your application online.
Interview
If USCIS finds your relative is eligible, they will schedule an interview with your family member.
  • If your family member is inside the USA, they will be interviewed at your local USCIS field office.
  • If they are outside the USA, it will be at a USCIS international office, U.S. embassy, or consulate.

    • The officer will review your family member’s application and make a decision on whether they are qualified to travel to the U.S.

    Travel to U.S.
    If approved, they must complete more paperwork and required steps before traveling. They will have to make their own travel arrangements.

    Affidavit of Relationship (AOR)

    An AOR is a legal document that proves your family relationship with your relative overseas. Filing an AOR connects your case with your family member’s case. This can help your family members resettle in your location.

    Refugees, asylees, and SIV holders in the U.S. can not currently apply for family reunification through an AOR. Previously, an AOR could be submitted for your parents, spouse, and unmarried children under 21 who have refugee status.

    Programs for Afghan families

    Afghans have different options for reuniting with family members, depending on their status. If you have refugee or asylee status, follow the instructions provided above. For permanent residents, you can find information here. There are also specific options for other statuses unique to Afghans, including:

    • If you are an Afghan who adjusted to Special Immigrant status while in the USA, your spouse or children may be added to your SIV case. You must file Form I-824. If USCIS approves your request, the NVC will contact you and your family members to begin the SIV application process.
    • DS-4317 Afghan Parolee Family Reunification is on hold. You can still submit Form DS-4317, but the program is paused and could likely not restart.

    It is important to get legal advice to understand your options. Your resettlement agency can offer support. Organizations and lawyers can also help. Learn how to find free or low-cost legal services.

    lawyer reviewing information
    د مهاجرت درغلۍ څخه ځان وساتئ

    دا چې څنګه د نوټریو او جعلي ویب پاڼو څخه خپل ځان خوندي کړئ، دلته یې په اړه معلومات ترلاسه کړئ. که چیرې تاسو د درغلي قرباني شوي یاست نو څه باید وکړئ، په دې اړه نور معلومات ترلاسه کړئ.

    نور ولولئ

    ددې پاڼي معلومات له UNHCR, USCIS, CLINIC, او نورو باوري سرچینو څخه په لاس راغلی دي. زموږ موخه دا ده چې د پوهیدلو لپاره اسانه معلومات وړاندې کړو کوم چې په منظم ډول تازه کیږي. دا معلومات حقوقي مشوره نه ده.

    نور له USAHello څخه

    د ځانګړو معلوماتو په لټه کې یاست؟