Refugee/Asylee Relative Petitions
If you have been admitted to the United States as a refugee or if you were granted status in the United States as an asylee within the previous two years, you may request follow-to-join benefits for your spouse and/or unmarried children under 21 years of age.

These benefits are requested by filling out form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition. There is no filing fee for this petition. The relationship between you and your spouse must have existed when you were admitted as a refugee or granted asylum status and must continue to exist when you file Form I-730 and when your spouse or child is admitted to the United States.

You must include documentation with your application, proving your relationship with your spouse or children. If such evidence (birth certificates, marriage certificate) is not available, supporting affidavits and other evidence will be necessary. If your situation is not straightforward and you are unable to provide documents, you should consult an attorney or authorized representative to assist you.

Please note the following instructions on where to file Form I-730, because the instructions have changed:

File Form I-730 with the Nebraska Service Center if you, the petitioner, currently live in the following states or territories:

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, or Wyoming.

The mailing address you should use is:

USCIS Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box 87730
Lincoln, NE 68501-87730

File Form I-730 with the Texas Service Center if you, the petitioner, currently live in the following states or territories :

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, West Virginia, or Washington, D.C.

The mailing address you should use is:

USCIS Texas Service Center
P.O. Box 852824
Mesquite, TX 75185

Please pay close attention to this notice if you are filing a relative petition. For more detailed information about form I-730, please see the following link or call a HIAS representative at (212) 216-7697 or toll free at 1-800 HIAS 714.