Skip to main content
This is the USCIS preview website. Visit uscis.gov for the official USCIS site.
USCIS Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government    Here's how you know
Español
Multilingual Resources
Official Government Website

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Website

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
 
Sign In  
Access USCIS online services.
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
Sign In
Create Account
Horizontal Menu
  • Topics
  • Forms
  • Newsroom
  • Citizenship
  • Green Card
  • Laws
  • Tools
  • Contact us
  • Multilingual Resources
  • Ask Emma
Main navigation
Skip to main content
  • Family
    • Family of U.S. Citizens
      • Provisional Waiver
      • Spouse
      • Siblings
      • Parents
      • K3-K4 Visa
      • Fiancé(e) Visa
      • Children
    • Family of Refugees & Asylees
      • Refugee and Asylee Spouses
      • Refugee and Asylee Children
    • Family of Green Card Holders (Permanent Residents)
      • V Visa
    • Same-Sex Marriages
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Family
  3. Family of Refugees and Asylees

Family of Refugees and Asylees

If you entered the United States as a refugee within the past 2 years or were granted asylee status within the past 2 years, you may petition for certain family members to obtain derivative refugee or asylee status. If you have not yet been granted or applied for refugee or asylee status, please see the Refugees and Asylum page.

You May Petition for the Following Family Members:

  • Spouse 
  • Child (unmarried and under 21 when you first applied for asylum or refugee status)

Eligibility Criteria

  • As the petitioner, you must be a principal refugee or asylee. This means that you were granted refugee or asylee status directly and did not obtain it through a relative.
  • You entered the United States as a refugee within the past 2 years or were granted asylum within the past 2 years.
  • You remain in refugee or asylee status or have become a permanent resident (received a Green Card). If you have already become a U.S. citizen through naturalization, you cannot petition to obtain derivative refugee or asylee status for a relative. However you may still be able to help family immigrate to the United States. See the Family of U.S. Citizens page for more information. 
  • The family relationship had to exist before you came to the United States as a refugee or were granted asylum:
    • If you want to file for your spouse, you had to be married before you entered as a refugee or were granted asylum. See the Application Procedures: Getting Derivative Refugee or Asylum Status for your Spouse page for more information.
    • Your child had to be conceived (this means the mother was already pregnant) or born before you entered as a refugee or were granted asylum. See the Application Procedures: Getting Derivative Refugee or Asylum Status for your Child page for more information.

Application Process

File Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition. (This form is free to file. To download the form and instructions, see the I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition page.)

For more information on refugees and asylees, see the Humanitarian page.

Related Links

 

More Information

  • "How Do I" Guides for Refugees and Asylees

Forms

  • Humanitarian Benefits Based Forms
  • I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition

Other USCIS Links

  • Refugees and Asylum
  • Humanitarian

External Links

  • Visa Bulletin

 

Last Reviewed/Updated:
09/25/2017
Was this page helpful?
0 / 2000
To protect your privacy, please do not include any personal information in your feedback. Review our Privacy Policy.
Return to top
  • Topics
  • Forms
  • Newsroom
  • Citizenship
  • Green Card
  • Laws
  • Tools
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
LinkedIn
Email
Contact USCIS
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal

USCIS.gov

An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Important links
  • About USCIS
  • Accessibility
  • Budget and Performance
  • DHS Components
  • Freedom of Information Act
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Privacy and Legal Disclaimers
  • Site Map
  • Office of the Inspector General
  • The White House
  • USA.gov
Looking for U.S. government information and services?
Visit USA.gov