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USCISHumanitarian & Relief

Official form guide

Form I-730: Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition

Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition, is used to request immigration benefits for certain family members who were not included in the principal's original refugee or asylum admission. It is filed by a person already granted refugee or asylee status to bring a spouse, child, or parent to the United States.

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Form Overview

USCIS Form I-730 - Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition

Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition, is used to request immigration benefits for certain family members who were not included in the principal's original refugee or asylum admission. It is filed by a person already granted refugee or asylee status to bring a spouse, child, or parent to the United States.

The form collects the petitioner’s personal data, the relative’s identity, relationship proof, and the basis for the original refugee or asylum grant.

Risk Radar

Scan points
  • 1A single missing signature can cause a complete denial of the petition.
  • 2Missing or illegible signature
  • 3Incorrect filing address
  • 4Omitting required relationship documents
  • 5Using an outdated edition of the form

Plain English

If you were admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or asylee and have a close family member left behind, you can ask USCIS to bring them here with this form. You fill it out, pay the fee, and send it to the service center. The government then decides if the relative qualifies for the same protected status.

Submission Date

  • Filing date: File the petition as soon as possible after the relative’s need arises; there is no statutory deadline, but delays can affect eligibility for derivative status.
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

petitionidentitypersonparentmemberfamilygrant

Hover a term to preview the meaning.

What this form is for

  • Use this form when you are a refugee or asylee seeking to bring a spouse, child, or parent.
  • Do not use it for siblings, adult children over 21, or for non‑refugee/asylee petitioners.
  • If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, use Form I-130 instead.

Form selector

Use this form or another form?

Sibling of refugee/asylee

Only spouse, child, parent qualify

✓ Verify relationship eligibility first

Form I-730 (not applicable)

Adult child over 21

Use Form I-730A for certain cases or Form I-485 after a visa becomes available

✓ Check age and status

Form I-730 (not eligible)

Deadline or filing window

There is no fixed filing deadline for I-730 petitions, but USCIS may consider the timeliness of the relative’s need and any pending status expiration. Filing promptly reduces the risk of the relative losing eligibility for derivative status.

  • —Number of dependents | Multiply by $0 (no per‑person fee) | Total filing fee | Verify fee does not change for multiple dependents

Checklist

What you need before filling it out

1

Petitioner’s identity

Copy of passport or green card · Personal documents folder

⚠ Photo illegible✕ High
2

Refugee/asylee status

Copy of I-94, I-589 approval, or I-730 receipt · USCIS approval notice

⚠ Missing stamp✕ High
3

Relationship proof

Marriage certificate or birth certificate · Vital records

⚠ Not translated✕ Medium
4

Relative’s identity

Passport biographic page · Relative’s passport

⚠ Expired passport✕ Medium
5

Proof of domicile

Lease or utility bill showing joint address · Household records

⚠ No joint address✕ Low

Before you submit

  1. 1Use the latest I-730 edition.
  2. 2Complete every field; write N/A where not applicable.
  3. 3Sign the form in the appropriate places.
  4. 4Attach a copy of your refugee/asylee approval notice.
  5. 5Include relationship documents and certified translations.
  6. 6Add the correct filing fee or approved fee waiver.
  7. 7Use the current lockbox mailing address.
  8. 8Attach a completed G-1145 if you want e‑notification.
  9. 9Make a photocopy of the entire packet for your records.
  10. 10Check that all translations are accompanied by the original.
  11. 11Confirm the package weight does not exceed USPS limits for the chosen service.

How to file this form

  1. 1Download the PDF from USCIS and print on white 8.5" x 11" paper.
  2. 2Fill out the form in black ink or use the online fillable version.
  3. 3Gather supporting evidence and certified translations.
  4. 4Prepare the filing fee payment or fee waiver request.
  5. 5Assemble the packet in the order specified in the instructions.
  6. 6Mail the packet via USPS Priority Mail with tracking to the listed lockbox.
  7. 7If eligible, submit electronically through myUSCIS and upload all PDFs.

Known limitations

  1. 1USCIS does not provide an online fee calculator for I-730; fee must be checked manually.
  2. 2The form does not accept electronic signatures; a wet signature is required.
  3. 3Translations must be certified; the form does not define the certification wording.
  4. 4Processing times vary widely; the form provides no guaranteed timeline.

Field map

Compact field-by-field guide

7 fields

Applicant Info

3 items

Full Legal Name

Your current legal name as in your passport.

Requiredtext
Date and Place of Birth

Complete date (MM/DD/YYYY) and city/country of birth.

Requiredtext
Country of Nationality

Country where you hold citizenship.

Requiredtext

Basis

2 items

Basis for Protection

Detailed description of the harm, persecution, or disaster you are fleeing.

Requiredtext
Date of Last Arrival in U.S.

Date you last entered the United States (MM/DD/YYYY).

Requireddate

Evidence

1 items

Supporting Evidence

List all documents supporting your application, including affidavits, country condition reports, and identification.

Requiredtext

Signatures

1 items

Applicant Signature

Sign under penalty of perjury.

Requiredsignature
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Current form status
USCIS

Check the USCIS website for the latest edition date and fee schedule before filing. The form is currently at edition date 02/02/2024.

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Edition date: Verify the form is the 02/02/2024 edition or later.
  • Fee: Confirm the current filing fee on the USCIS Fee Schedule page.
  • Mailing address: Use the address listed in the latest instructions for your filing category.
  • Signature requirement: All signatures must be original, not typed.
  • Payment method: Acceptable methods are check, money order, or credit card via Form G-1450.

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Quick Facts

A refugee or asylee who is physically present in the U.S. files the petition for an eligible relative.
The form collects the petitioner’s personal data, the relative’s identity, relationship proof, and the basis for the original refugee or asylum grant.
File the petition as soon as possible after the relative’s need arises; there is no statutory deadline, but delays can affect eligibility for derivative status.
Submit the completed I-730 and supporting evidence to the USCIS Lockbox address listed in the current instructions, either by mail or online via USCIS myUSCIS if the option is available.
Errors or missing documents can lead to a Request for Evidence, denial, or a need to restart the process, which adds time and cost.
1. Download the latest I-730 PDF from USCIS. 2. Gather required evidence (relationship proof, copy of your refugee/asylee approval, identity documents). 3. Complete the form in black ink or electronically, sign where required. 4. Include the filing fee or fee waiver request. 5. Mail the package to the correct lockbox or submit electronically. 6. Keep a copy of everything and note the receipt number.

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After you file

  1. 1Save the receipt number from the USCIS notice or tracking confirmation.
  2. 2Create a spreadsheet to track status checks on the USCIS case status page.
  3. 3Keep copies of all submitted documents in a secure, backed‑up folder.
  4. 4Monitor email and mail for any Request for Evidence (RFE).
  5. 5If an RFE arrives, respond within the given deadline with the exact documents requested.
  6. 6Notify the relative of the receipt number and expected processing window.
  7. 7Update your address with USCIS if it changes during processing.

Sources

  • SRCUSCIS Form I-730 official PDF (edition 02/02/2024)
  • SRCUSCIS Fee Schedule page for I-730 filing fee
  • SRCUSCIS Lockbox mailing address instructions for I-730
  • SRCUSCIS guidance on required supporting evidence for I-730
  • SRCUSCIS policy manual section on derivative refugee/asylee status
  • SRCUSCIS myUSCIS filing options list for I-730

Common confusion points

Spouse vs. fiancé

Form I-730 only covers spouses, not fiancé(e)s

→ Verify marital status before filing

Adult child over 21

Many think they are eligible

→ Confirm age limit; use other forms if over 21

Fee waiver eligibility

Not obvious if refugee/asylee can waive

→ Check current fee waiver criteria

Electronic vs. paper filing

Some think both are allowed

→ Verify if online filing is available for I-730 at filing time

Translations required for all foreign documents

Some assume English is fine

→ Ensure every non‑English document has a certified translation

Workflow map

Related forms and next steps

4 signals

Before

Form I-589 (Asylum) or Form I-781 (Refugee) approval

Current

I-730

After

Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) if the relative later becomes eligible for a green card

Often used with

Form G-1450 (Credit Card Authorization) if paying by credit card

⚠ If something goes wrong

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Source transparency

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Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
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