- Read part one here
Filling Out Form I-730, Refugee or Asylee Relative (Part: 2)
Form I-730 Instructions
Here are step-by-step instructions for filing your I-730 petition. There are a total of eight parts that must be completed.
Start Here
Make sure to start at the very beginning—titled START HERE—by filling in your status as either a:
- Refugee
- Asylee
- Lawful permanent resident (LPR) based on previous refugee status
- LPR based on previous asylee status
You must also state who the beneficiary is and the number of qualifying relatives you are filing for.
Part 1: Petitioner Information
In this section, you will fill out the information about yourself—the petitioner. You will include information like your:
- Last, first, and middle names
- Residential and mailing addresses
- Telephone number
- Email address
- Gender
- Date of birth
- Country of birth
- Nationality
- S. Alien Registration Number (A-Number)
- S. social security number, if you have one
- Marriage Information
- Asylee or refugee status information
Part 2: Beneficiary Information
Here, you will include much of the information you wrote in part 1, except now about the beneficiary of the Form I-730. You will also need to let USCIS know if the beneficiary is currently inside or outside of the U.S. And you will need to answer some additional immigration questions.
If you are confused about any part of this section, talk to your immigration attorney for clarification and direction about:
- Language fluency
- Entry to the United States
- Immigration history
Part 3: 2-Year Filing Deadline
Fill out this part if you have passed the two-year filing deadline. Here, you will explain your reasoning for not having applied within the required time. You must also provide evidence to support your reasoning.
Part 4: Warning
USCIS adds a warning portion about I-730 removal proceedings. Speak with your immigration attorney about your beneficiary’s status and if they are in the United States with unlawful status.
Part 5: Signature of Petitioner
Make sure you sign and print your name and date here.
Part 6: Signature of Beneficiary
Make sure the beneficiary signs and prints their name and date only if they are in the United States.
Part 7: Signature of Preparer
If anyone other than the beneficiary or petitioner contributed to preparing your Form I-730, make sure they sign the form as well.
Part 8: To Be Completely at Interview of Beneficiary, If Applicable
Do not fill out this section. This section will be filled out at the beneficiary’s interview. You, the petitioner, may be asked to be interviewed as well.
What Is the Form I-730 Processing Time?
Processing times can be difficult to predict, particularly if USCIS is experiencing a backlog. The USCIS Form I-730 process can take between five to ten months, and possibly longer, which does not include any steps that must be taken after you submit your petition.
The full process can take over a year, so it’s important to work with a knowledgeable immigration attorney to make sure each step is done correctly to optimize your processing time.
What Are I-730 Removal Proceedings?
According to USCIS, if your family member is in the United States illegally, they will go through removal proceedings if USCIS does not grant derivative refugee status.
It is important to speak with your immigration attorney immediately about withholding of refugee removal. Withholding of removal protects a refugee from going back to a country where their life and safety is threatened.
