Follow-to-Join Asylees and Refugees

Follow-to-Join is a process by which a refugee or asylee in the United States can petition to bring their spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 to join them in the U.S. as refugees or asylees. This process is available to the spouse and children who were left behind in the home country when the primary asylee or refugee fled to the U.S.

To be eligible for Follow-to-Join, the primary asylee or refugee must have been granted asylum or refugee status in the U.S. and must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least one year. The spouse and children must also be found eligible for refugee or asylee status and must have been identified as dependents at the time the primary asylee or refugee applied for asylum or refugee status.

The Follow-to-Join process typically involves the primary asylee or refugee submitting a Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition, to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of their spouse and children. Once the petition is approved, the spouse and children must complete the necessary application forms, undergo a medical examination, and attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country before being granted entry to the U.S. as refugees or asylees.

It is important to note that the Follow-to-Join process can be complex and requires the involvement of both U.S. immigration authorities and foreign consular officials. An experienced immigration attorney can provide guidance and assistance throughout the process.