<div class="vt" data-vt-cat="humanitarian-visas" data-vt-code="Refugee"> <div class="vt-crumbs"><nav class="vt-wrap" aria-label="Breadcrumb"><a href="/">Home</a><span>›</span><a href="/humanitarian-visas">Humanitarian & other</a><span>›</span><span>Refugee</span></nav></div> <section class="vt-dhead"><div class="vt-wrap"> <div class="vt-badges"><span>Status</span><span>Humanitarian</span><span>Applied for abroad</span><span>Form I-590</span><span>Annual ceiling</span><span>Green card after 1 year</span></div> <h1><span>Refugee</span> Refugee Status (USRAP)</h1> <p class="vt-lede">Refugee status is not a visa: it is a protection status granted abroad through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) to people persecuted or fearing persecution, who are then admitted as refugees.</p> <div class="vt-dmeta"><span>Last reviewed <strong>Oct 1, 2026</strong></span><span>Sources: USCIS · White House / Federal Register</span><a href="/corrections?page=/visa/refugee">Report an error</a></div> </div></section> <section class="vt-dbody"> <nav class="vt-jump" aria-label="On this page"><a href="#overview">Overview</a><a href="#qualify">Who qualifies</a><a href="#duration">Duration</a><a href="#fees">Fees</a><a href="#processing">Processing</a><a href="#steps">Steps</a><a href="#documents">Documents</a><a href="#dependents">Dependents</a><a href="#greencard">Green card</a><a href="#related">Related</a><a href="#faq">FAQ</a><a href="#sources">Sources</a><a href="#changes">Changes</a></nav> <nav class="vt-toc" aria-label="On this page"><div class="h">On this page</div><ul><li><a href="#overview">Overview</a></li><li><a href="#qualify">Who qualifies</a></li><li><a href="#duration">Duration & extensions</a></li><li><a href="#fees">Fees</a></li><li><a href="#processing">Processing time</a></li><li><a href="#steps">Application steps</a></li><li><a href="#documents">Required documents</a></li><li><a href="#dependents">Dependents & family</a></li><li><a href="#greencard">Path to a green card</a></li><li><a href="#related">Related visas</a></li><li><a href="#faq">Common questions</a></li><li><a href="#sources">Official sources</a></li><li><a href="#changes">Recent changes</a></li></ul></nav> <article class="vt-art"> <div class="vt-glance"><h2>At a glance</h2><dl><div><dt>FY 2027 admissions ceiling</dt><dd><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2026-20318/refugee-admissions-for-fiscal-year-2027-presidential-determination-presidential-determination-no" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Up to 17,500</a>, primarily Afrikaners from South Africa (Presidential Determination No. 2026-24, Sept. 25, 2026)</dd></div><div><dt>Program status (Oct. 1, 2026)</dt><dd>Refugee entry <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/30/2025-02011/realigning-the-united-states-refugee-admissions-program" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suspended since Jan. 27, 2025</a> except case-by-case admissions in the national interest</dd></div><div><dt>Application</dt><dd>Form I-590, interviewed by USCIS outside the U.S.; filing fee <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$0</a></dd></div><div><dt>Work</dt><dd><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-and-asylum/refugees" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Allowed immediately on arrival</a> (Form I-94 is evidence)</dd></div><div><dt>Family follow-to-join</dt><dd>Form I-730 within <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-730" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2 years</a> of admission; fee <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$0</a></dd></div><div><dt>Green card</dt><dd><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-for-refugees" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Must apply after 1 year</a> in the U.S.; no Form I-485 fee for the principal refugee</dd></div></dl></div> <div class="vt-callout"><strong>USRAP is largely suspended.</strong> <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/30/2025-02011/realigning-the-united-states-refugee-admissions-program" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Executive Order 14163</a> suspended refugee entry from Jan. 27, 2025 and directed DHS to suspend decisions on refugee applications, allowing only case-by-case admissions that the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security jointly find to be in the national interest. On March 5, 2026 the Ninth Circuit held the President likely had authority to do this (<a href="https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2026/03/05/25-1313.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pacito v. Trump</a>). The <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2026-20318/refugee-admissions-for-fiscal-year-2027-presidential-determination-presidential-determination-no" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FY 2027 determination</a> allows up to 17,500 admissions, primarily Afrikaners from South Africa, and keeps EO 14163 in force.</div> <h2 id="overview" class="s">Overview</h2> <p class="b">Refugee status is a form of humanitarian protection, not a visa. It is granted to people <strong>outside the United States</strong> who are of special humanitarian concern to the U.S. and show they were persecuted, or fear persecution, because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. Applicants are referred to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, interviewed by USCIS officers abroad and screened before CBP admits them as refugees. Source: <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-and-asylum/refugees" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS Refugees</a>.</p> <p class="b">Each fiscal year the President sets a ceiling on refugee admissions after consultation with Congress (INA 207). For FY 2026 the ceiling was <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/31/2025-19752/presidential-determination-on-refugee-admissions-for-fiscal-year-2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7,500</a>, raised to <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/27/2026-10598/emergency-presidential-determination-on-refugee-admissions-for-fiscal-year-2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">17,500</a> by an emergency determination on May 21, 2026 for Afrikaners from South Africa. For FY 2027 (Oct. 1, 2026 – Sept. 30, 2027) the President set <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2026-20318/refugee-admissions-for-fiscal-year-2027-presidential-determination-presidential-determination-no" target="_blank" rel="noopener">up to 17,500</a>, to be allocated primarily among Afrikaners under <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/02/12/2025-02630/addressing-egregious-actions-of-the-republic-of-south-africa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Executive Order 14204</a>. The determination states that admissions remain subject to EO 14163, EO 14161 and Proclamation 10998.</p> <p class="b">People already in the United States or at a port of entry cannot apply for refugee status; they may instead seek asylum, which uses the same refugee definition but a different process (see Asylum Status).</p> <h2 id="qualify" class="s">Who qualifies</h2> <h3 class="s">To be considered for refugee status, the applicant must</h3> <ul class="b"><li>Be located outside the United States.</li><li>Be of special humanitarian concern to the United States and gain access to USRAP (through a referral or processing priority).</li><li>Show past persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group.</li><li>Not be firmly resettled in another country.</li><li>Be admissible to the United States (some grounds can be waived).</li></ul> <h3 class="s">An applicant is barred if they</h3> <ul class="b"><li>Ordered, incited, assisted or otherwise participated in the persecution of any person on account of a protected ground.</li><li>Are inadmissible on non-waivable grounds, such as certain security and criminal grounds.</li></ul> <h2 id="duration" class="s">Duration & extensions</h2> <table class="vt-kv"><tbody><tr><th scope="row">Refugee status</th><td>Has no fixed end date, but is meant to lead to permanent residence</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Green card requirement</th><td>Refugees are <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-for-refugees" target="_blank" rel="noopener">required to apply</a> for permanent residence after 1 year of physical presence in the U.S.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Travel abroad</th><td>Needs a Refugee Travel Document (Form I-131) before leaving; fee <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$0</a> for refugees</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Admissions window</th><td>Admissions count against the fiscal-year ceiling; FY 2027 runs Oct. 1, 2026 – Sept. 30, 2027 (<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2026-20318/refugee-admissions-for-fiscal-year-2027-presidential-determination-presidential-determination-no" target="_blank" rel="noopener">up to 17,500</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table> <h2 id="fees" class="s">Fees</h2> <p class="vt-feesintro">Refugee processing is free to the applicant; the costs below come from the current USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055, edition 10/01/26).</p> <div class="vt-scroll"><table class="vt-fees"><thead><tr><th>Fee</th><th class="amt">Amount</th><th>Who pays</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody> <tr><td>Form I-590, Registration for Classification as a Refugee</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$0</a></td><td>Applicant</td><td>Filed and interviewed outside the U.S.</td></tr> <tr><td>Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$0</a></td><td>Principal refugee</td><td>File within 2 years of admission</td></tr> <tr><td>Form I-765, refugee work permit (a)(3)</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$0</a></td><td>Refugee</td><td>Work is allowed on arrival; the EAD card is optional evidence</td></tr> <tr><td>Form I-131, Refugee Travel Document</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$0</a></td><td>Refugee</td><td>Also $0 for green card holders who got status as refugees</td></tr> <tr><td>Form I-485, green card (principal refugee)</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$0</a></td><td>Refugee</td><td>Derivative family members pay the standard fee, per <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-for-refugees" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS</a></td></tr> </tbody></table></div> <p class="vt-foot">Fees change; confirm on the <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS fee schedule</a> before filing.</p> <h2 id="processing" class="s">Processing time</h2> <dl class="vt-cards"><div><dt>New I-590 Requests for Review</dt><dd>Not accepted</dd><dd class="n">USCIS stopped accepting Requests for Review for Form I-590 on <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-and-asylum/refugees" target="_blank" rel="noopener">April 23, 2026</a></dd></div><div><dt>FY 2027 ceiling</dt><dd>17,500</dd><dd class="n"><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2026-20318/refugee-admissions-for-fiscal-year-2027-presidential-determination-presidential-determination-no" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Presidential Determination No. 2026-24</a></dd></div></dl> <p class="b">There is no published standard processing time for refugee cases, and processing is currently limited by the USRAP suspension. Green card and other USCIS processing times vary; check <a href="https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS processing times</a>.</p> <h2 id="steps" class="s">Application steps</h2> <ol class="vt-steps"><li><span class="num">1</span><div><div class="tt">Referral to USRAP</div><div class="tx">A person outside the U.S. gains access to the program, usually through a referral or a designated processing priority.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">2</span><div><div class="tt">Prescreening and Form I-590</div><div class="tx">The case is prepared abroad and Form I-590 is completed; there is no fee.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">3</span><div><div class="tt">USCIS interview and security checks</div><div class="tx">A USCIS officer interviews the applicant abroad; background, security and medical checks follow.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">4</span><div><div class="tt">Approval and travel</div><div class="tx">Approved refugees are assigned for resettlement and travel to the U.S.; CBP makes the final admission decision. Under EO 14163, travel now happens only for case-by-case national-interest admissions.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">5</span><div><div class="tt">Arrival and work</div><div class="tx">Refugees may work immediately; the I-94 shows refugee admission.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">6</span><div><div class="tt">Green card after 1 year</div><div class="tx">After 1 year of physical presence, file Form I-485 (no fee for the principal refugee).</div></div></li></ol> <h2 id="documents" class="s">Required documents</h2> <div class="vt-docs"><div><h3>Typically needed</h3><ul><li><span>Identity documents and any civil documents available (birth, marriage records).</span></li><li><span>Information supporting the persecution claim, given at the USCIS interview.</span></li><li><span>Medical examination results required for refugee travel.</span></li><li><span>For the later green card: Form I-485, the I-94 showing refugee admission and the vaccination record portion of Form I-693.</span></li></ul></div></div> <h2 id="dependents" class="s">Dependents & family</h2> <p class="b">A refugee’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 can be included on the case if they are processed together (<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-and-asylum/refugees" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS</a>). Family left behind can be petitioned with <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-730" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Form I-730</a> within 2 years of the principal’s admission (USCIS may waive the deadline for humanitarian reasons); there is no fee. Approved relatives abroad are processed as follow-to-join refugees — called <a href="https://fam.state.gov/fam/09FAM/09FAM020306.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visas 93 (V93)</a> by the State Department; relatives of asylees are Visas 92 (V92).</p> <p class="b">Follow-to-join refugee travel falls under the same refugee entry suspension; the Ninth Circuit’s March 5, 2026 ruling in <a href="https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2026/03/05/25-1313.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pacito v. Trump</a> reversed the injunction that had required refugee processing and admissions to continue.</p> <h2 id="greencard" class="s">Path to a green card</h2> <p class="b">Refugees are required to apply for a green card after 1 year of physical presence in the U.S. (<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-for-refugees" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS</a>). The principal refugee pays no Form I-485 fee and no biometrics fee.</p> <div class="vt-gsteps"><div><div class="k">Step 1</div><div class="tt">Wait 1 year from admission</div><div class="tx">Physical presence of at least 1 year as a refugee is required.</div></div><div><div class="k">Step 2</div><div class="tt">File Form I-485</div><div class="tx">Include the I-94 and the vaccination record; a full Form I-693 medical is needed only for Class A conditions.</div></div><div><div class="k">Step 3</div><div class="tt">Biometrics and review</div><div class="tx">USCIS may re-check eligibility and admissibility before approval.</div></div></div> <p class="b">Since December 2025 USCIS has been re-examining some refugees admitted in recent years who have not yet received green cards, starting with about 5,600 refugees in Minnesota (<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-launches-landmark-uscis-fraud-investigation-in-minnesota" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Operation PARRIS, announced Jan. 9, 2026</a>).</p> <h2 id="related" class="s">Related visas</h2> <div class="vt-rel"><a href="/visa/asylum"><div class="c">Asylum</div><div class="n">Asylum Status</div><div class="tx">Same refugee definition, but for people already in the U.S. or at a port of entry.</div></a><a href="/visa/parole"><div class="c">Parole</div><div class="n">Humanitarian Parole</div><div class="tx">Temporary, discretionary permission to enter; not a visa or admission.</div></a><a href="/visa/tps"><div class="c">TPS</div><div class="n">Temporary Protected Status</div><div class="tx">Country-based protection for nationals already in the U.S.</div></a><a href="/visa/siv"><div class="c">SIV</div><div class="n">Special Immigrant Visa</div><div class="tx">Immigrant visa path for certain Afghan and Iraqi nationals.</div></a><a href="/visa/t"><div class="c">T</div><div class="n">Victims of Trafficking</div><div class="tx">Status for trafficking victims in the U.S.</div></a></div> <h2 id="faq" class="s">Common questions</h2> <div class="vt-faq"><details><summary>Is refugee status a visa?</summary><p>No. It is a protection status granted outside the United States through USRAP. A refugee is admitted in refugee status, not on a visa, and later applies for a green card.</p></details><details><summary>Is the U.S. accepting refugees right now?</summary><p>Only in limited cases. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/30/2025-02011/realigning-the-united-states-refugee-admissions-program" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EO 14163</a> has suspended refugee entry since Jan. 27, 2025, except case-by-case national-interest admissions. The <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2026-20318/refugee-admissions-for-fiscal-year-2027-presidential-determination-presidential-determination-no" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FY 2027 determination</a> allows up to 17,500 admissions, primarily Afrikaners from South Africa.</p></details><details><summary>Can someone apply for refugee status from inside the United States?</summary><p>No. Refugee status is only for people outside the U.S. People in the U.S. or arriving at a port of entry may apply for asylum instead.</p></details><details><summary>How can a refugee bring a spouse or children?</summary><p>By filing <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-730" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Form I-730</a> within 2 years of admission, with no fee, for a spouse and unmarried children under 21. Relatives abroad are processed as follow-to-join refugees (V93).</p></details><details><summary>When does a refugee get a green card?</summary><p>A refugee must apply for permanent residence after 1 year of physical presence in the U.S., using Form I-485; the principal refugee pays <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">no filing fee</a>.</p></details></div> <h2 id="sources" class="s">Official sources</h2> <ul class="vt-src"><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-and-asylum/refugees" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · Refugees</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2026-20318/refugee-admissions-for-fiscal-year-2027-presidential-determination-presidential-determination-no" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>White House / Federal Register</strong> · Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for FY 2027 (No. 2026-24)</span><span>federalregister.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/30/2025-02011/realigning-the-united-states-refugee-admissions-program" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>White House / Federal Register</strong> · Executive Order 14163, Realigning the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program</span><span>federalregister.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-730" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-for-refugees" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · Green Card for Refugees</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · Fee Schedule (Form G-1055)</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2026/03/05/25-1313.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Cir.</strong> · Pacito v. Trump, Nos. 25-1313, 25-1939 (Mar. 5, 2026)</span><span>ca9.uscourts.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://fam.state.gov/fam/09FAM/09FAM020306.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>State Department</strong> · 9 FAM 203.6, Visas 93 Following-to-Join Refugees</span><span>fam.state.gov ↗</span></a></li></ul> <h2 id="changes" class="s">Recent changes</h2> <ul class="vt-chg"><li><span class="d">Sep 25, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>FY 2027 refugee ceiling set at 17,500.</strong> Presidential Determination No. 2026-24 allows up to 17,500 refugee admissions in FY 2027, primarily Afrikaners from South Africa; on public inspection Oct. 1, 2026 for publication Oct. 2, 2026. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2026-20318/refugee-admissions-for-fiscal-year-2027-presidential-determination-presidential-determination-no" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">May 21, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>Emergency increase of FY 2026 ceiling to 17,500.</strong> Emergency Presidential Determination No. 2026-14 raised the FY 2026 ceiling from 7,500 to 17,500 for Afrikaners from South Africa (91 FR 31645). <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/27/2026-10598/emergency-presidential-determination-on-refugee-admissions-for-fiscal-year-2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Apr 23, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>Requests for Review of Form I-590 discontinued.</strong> USCIS stopped accepting Requests for Review for denied Form I-590 refugee applications. <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-and-asylum/refugees" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Mar 5, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>Pacito v. Trump: suspension likely lawful.</strong> The court reversed the injunctions that required refugee processing and admissions to continue, but upheld the part requiring resettlement services for refugees already admitted. <a href="https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2026/03/05/25-1313.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Jan 9, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>Operation PARRIS re-examines refugee cases.</strong> DHS and USCIS announced re-verification of refugees who do not yet have green cards, beginning with about 5,600 in Minnesota. <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-launches-landmark-uscis-fraud-investigation-in-minnesota" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Sep 30, 2025</span><div class="x"><strong>FY 2026 refugee ceiling set at 7,500.</strong> Presidential Determination No. 2025-13 set the FY 2026 ceiling at 7,500, primarily for Afrikaners from South Africa (90 FR 49005). <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/31/2025-19752/presidential-determination-on-refugee-admissions-for-fiscal-year-2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Jan 20, 2025</span><div class="x"><strong>USRAP suspended.</strong> Executive Order 14163 suspended refugee entry from Jan. 27, 2025, with case-by-case exceptions, and suspended decisions on refugee applications. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/30/2025-02011/realigning-the-united-states-refugee-admissions-program" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li></ul> <div class="vt-disc">This page is general reference material compiled from the official sources above and is not legal advice. Eligibility depends on individual facts; rules and fees change, so confirm with the agency before you file. VisaTypes.com is not affiliated with USCIS, the Department of State or any government agency. Spotted an error? <a href="/corrections?page=/visa/refugee">Tell us</a>.</div> </article></section></div> <script type="application/ld+json">[{"\u0040context": "https://schema.org", "\u0040type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [{"\u0040type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://visatypes.com/"}, {"\u0040type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Humanitarian & other", "item": "https://visatypes.com/humanitarian-visas"}, {"\u0040type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Refugee", "item": "https://visatypes.com/visa/refugee"}]}, {"\u0040context": "https://schema.org", "\u0040type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{"\u0040type": "Question", "name": "Is refugee status a visa?", "acceptedAnswer": {"\u0040type": "Answer", "text": "No. It is a protection status granted outside the United States through USRAP. A refugee is admitted in refugee status, not on a visa, and later applies for a green card."}}, {"\u0040type": "Question", "name": "Is the U.S. accepting refugees right now?", "acceptedAnswer": {"\u0040type": "Answer", "text": "Only in limited cases. EO 14163 has suspended refugee entry since Jan. 27, 2025, except case-by-case national-interest admissions. The FY 2027 determination allows up to 17,500 admissions, primarily Afrikaners from South Africa."}}, {"\u0040type": "Question", "name": "Can someone apply for refugee status from inside the United States?", "acceptedAnswer": {"\u0040type": "Answer", "text": "No. Refugee status is only for people outside the U.S. People in the U.S. or arriving at a port of entry may apply for asylum instead."}}, {"\u0040type": "Question", "name": "How can a refugee bring a spouse or children?", "acceptedAnswer": {"\u0040type": "Answer", "text": "By filing Form I-730 within 2 years of admission, with no fee, for a spouse and unmarried children under 21. Relatives abroad are processed as follow-to-join refugees (V93)."}}, {"\u0040type": "Question", "name": "When does a refugee get a green card?", "acceptedAnswer": {"\u0040type": "Answer", "text": "A refugee must apply for permanent residence after 1 year of physical presence in the U.S., using Form I-485; the principal refugee pays no filing fee."}}]}]</script> <script>(function(){var l=[].slice.call(document.querySelectorAll('.vt-toc a'));if(!l.length||!window.IntersectionObserver)return;var m={};l.forEach(function(a){m[a.getAttribute('href').slice(1)]=a});var cur=null;function on(id){if(cur)cur.classList.remove('on');cur=m[id];if(cur)cur.classList.add('on')}on(l[0].getAttribute('href').slice(1));var io=new IntersectionObserver(function(es){es.forEach(function(x){if(x.isIntersecting)on(x.target.id)})},{rootMargin:'0px 0px -70% 0px'});Object.keys(m).forEach(function(id){var el=document.getElementById(id);el&&io.observe(el)})})();</script>