I-730 Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition: Detailed Eligibility and Steps Explained

USCIS confirms that all I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition cases are now centralized at the Texas Service Center. As part of this consolidation, the center will reject filings postmarked on or after September 2, 2025. Officials say the move aims for faster review by pooling staff and technology under one roof.

The change comes while family reunification cases already face strain. A January 20, 2025 executive order paused refugee admissions processing at U.S. embassies and consulates, leaving many approved relatives abroad waiting for interviews and travel documents. Petitioners are asking what they can do now to keep cases moving.

What Form I-730 does and who qualifies

• Purpose: Form I-730 lets a principal refugee or asylee ask the U.S. government to bring a spouse and unmarried children under 21 to the United States.
• Exceptions: In narrow cases, unmarried children over 21 may qualify if they “freeze” their age under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) or meet a humanitarian exception.
• Timing: You should generally file within two years of your refugee admission or asylum grant. USCIS may waive this deadline for strong humanitarian reasons (for example, medical crises, war, or risk of separation).
• Relationship rules: The marriage must have existed before the asylum grant or refugee admission. Children must be biological, adopted, or stepchildren with proof of the legal parent–child tie.

How the process works now

• Filing
  • Send a complete I-730 packet with proof of relationship, identity documents, and passport photos for each beneficiary.
  • There is no filing fee.
  • Use the official USCIS instructions and the current edition listed on the Form I-730 page.
  • Include clear copies of your I-94, asylum or refugee approval, marriage certificate, birth certificates, adoption decrees, and sworn statements if records are missing.
• Texas Service Center review
  • Officers check for eligibility and may request more evidence (RFE).
  • Respond to any request by the listed deadline and keep copies of everything you send.
• If the relative is inside the United States
  • Approval can allow the family member to pursue further status steps, including filing Form I-485 (green card) when eligible.
  • Current sources show a median processing time of about 8.7 months when linked to an I-485 inside the country, though times vary.
• If the relative is abroad
  • After USCIS approval, the case is sent to the Department of State for embassy processing.
  • However, following-to-join refugee interviews and visa issuance are on hold due to the 2025 suspension.
  • Those waiting at the National Visa Center or a consulate should follow local instructions and monitor the State Department for updates.

Processing times and what to expect

• Median processing times
  • About 14 months for beneficiaries abroad.
  • About 8.7 months when linked to status steps inside the U.S.
• Some families report 5 to 10 months on average, but many wait longer, especially during security checks.
• Consolidation at the Texas Service Center could reduce internal backlogs over time, but the embassy-stage freeze still limits movement for overseas cases.

Impact of the USRAP suspension

• The executive order halted refugee admissions processing, including following-to-join refugee cases at posts overseas.
• Many families with approved I-730s cannot finish visa steps or travel vetting at the moment.
• If you have an unexpired boarding foil, contact U.S. Customs and Border Protection before travel to confirm entry eligibility.
• Those with pending interviews abroad should monitor post-specific notices for resumption of operations.

Voices from the field

“File within two years if at all possible, and front-load evidence. Late filings require humanitarian reasons, so document them well.” — an immigration attorney

• Community groups warn the pause stretches family separations.
  • “Parents fear kids will age out,” said an advocate.
• Experts note age-freeze rules often protect children, but clear proof of the child’s age on the date of the principal’s grant is essential.
• Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests centralization at the Texas Service Center may shorten internal review once embassy work restarts, but families should plan for uneven timelines across case stages.

Key documents to include

• Identity
  • Refugee admission or asylum grant notice
  • I-94
• Relationship
  • Marriage certificate
  • Children’s birth certificates
  • Adoption or guardianship orders
• Proof of bona fide marriage
  • Photos together, joint leases, joint bank statements, remittance receipts
  • Affidavits from friends or faith leaders who know the relationship
• Explanations for missing documents
  • Sworn statements and secondary evidence if primary records are unavailable due to conflict or displacement

Practical steps while you wait

1. Track your case online using your receipt number and set calendar reminders for USCIS deadlines.
2. Update your address with USCIS promptly to avoid lost mail.
3. Prepare for consular stages in advance:
   • Gather civil documents, vaccination records, and police certificates where required, even if interviews are paused.
4. If your child turned 21 after your asylum or refugee grant:
   • Ask counsel about CSPA age-freeze rules and keep records showing your child’s birthdate and the date of your grant.
5. If you filed late, attach a clear, short letter explaining humanitarian reasons and include supporting evidence (medical reports, proof of danger).

Costs and access

• No fee to file Form I-730 — this helps families with limited resources.
• You may still incur costs to collect documents, pay for translations, or travel for interviews when they resume.

Texas Service Center changes

• USCIS states that after September 2, 2025, the Texas Service Center will reject I-730 packets postmarked on or after that date as part of administrative consolidation.
• Mailings are currently routed to the Texas Service Center, which has increased staffing.
• Watch official USCIS announcements for any updated mailing instructions or lockbox changes.

Denials and next steps

• If USCIS denies an I-730, you may file a motion to reopen or reconsider.
• Many people seek help from a qualified legal aid group or licensed attorney.
• Keep organized copies of everything you submitted — it speeds any refile or motion.

Background and context

• I-730 was created to keep refugee and asylee families together without requiring a separate family preference petition.
• Timelines have fluctuated over the years because of staffing, security checks, and policy changes.
• The 2025 suspension is notable for its broad effect on consular processing for following-to-join refugee cases.

Where to find reliable updates

• Use the official USCIS Form I-730 page for current filing instructions, editions, and processing notices.
• For consular-stage impacts, see the State Department’s update on following-to-join refugee processing at the Department of State site.
• Both pages post changes that affect interviews, travel screening, and document lists.

Actionable takeaways

• File early, ideally within two years. If you missed the window, request a humanitarian waiver.
• Send strong relationship proof to avoid delays and RFEs.
• Prepare consular documents now so you’re ready when posts reopen.
• Watch your mailbox and email for USCIS or State Department messages and respond promptly.

Official form link
– File using USCIS Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition, available at the official USCIS website on the Form I-730 page.