Family reunification for refugees and asylees

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 most refugees and asylees.

Refugees

• I-730 Refugee Relative Petitions are on hold at the consular processing stage. You can still apply, and follow-to-join petitions are being processed by USCIS. U.S. Embassies and Consulates are not interviewing cases or issuing travel documentation.
• USCIS has indefinitely stopped processing all I-730 Refugee Relative Petitions for people from countries on the travel ban. USCIS will not issue approvals during this pause.

Asylees

• USCIS has indefinitely stopped processing all I-730 Asylee Relative Petitions for people from countries on the travel ban. USCIS will not issue approvals during this pause.
• I-730 Asylee Relative Petitions are not affected if your relative is a citizen of a country not named in the travel ban. These cases will continue to be processed and forwarded to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for an interview.

Afghans and Iraqi SIV holders

• USCIS has indefinitely stopped processing all I-824 SIV Follow-to-Join applications for Afghans. No I-824 approvals will be issued during this pause. 
• Starting Jan 1, 2026, no SIV visas will be issued to people from Afghanistan due to the travel ban.

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 cannot apply or bring your family to the U.S. under the special USRAP I-130 program.
• Syrians traveling without a visa on January 1, 2026, may face travel restrictions under the travel ban.

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

Form I-730 Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition

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.

 ګام 1: وګورئ چې آيا تاسو د تابعیت لپاره د غوښتنلیک وړ یاست

• Refugees and asylees can apply for spouse and unmarried children under 21 (at the time you were granted refugee or asylee status).
• You must apply within 2 years of entering the U.S. as a refugee or being granted asylee status.

ګام 2: که تاسو کولی شئ قانوني مرسته ترلاسه کړئ

• دا تل ګټوره ده چې قانوني مرسته ترلاسه کړئ کله چې تاسو د خپل مهاجرت حالت تنظیم کولو هڅه کوئ. ډیری سازمانونه او وکیلان شتون لري چې وړیا یا په ټیټه بیه مرستې وړاندیز کوي. 

Step 3: File your application

• File Form I-730 with supporting documents, including proof of status, family relationships, and photos of family members.
• You do not have to pay a fee.

Step 4: Your 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.

Step 5: Get a decision

• 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.

Step 6: Travel to the 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.

قانوني مرسته ومومئ

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.

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