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V-93 Refugee Follow-to-Join Visa
United StatesUnited States•North America
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V-93 Refugee Follow-to-Join Visa

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

1.7–2.7 years

Estimated Cost

Free

Stay Duration

Indefinite

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote work OK

Apply Now Official Information
United States flag

Living in United States

Cost of Living
Baseline
Avg Salary$52,000
Quality of Life
185/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

This visa allows the spouse and unmarried children under 21 of an admitted refugee to join them in the United States.

The V-93 is a US humanitarian visa for the spouse and unmarried children under 21 of an admitted refugee. Filed via Form I-730 within two years of the refugee's US admission, it reunites families separated at entry. The US government covers medical exam costs and provides IOM travel loan assistance.

Stay is indefinite while the principal maintains status. Beneficiaries must adjust to permanent resident status after one year of physical presence in the US. Work is authorized incident to status. Processing takes 21–33+ months; relationships must have predated the principal's refugee admission.

This visa is ideal for spouses and minor children of admitted refugees who were not included on the original admission and need a legal pathway to join their family in the United States.

United States

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Stay & Extensions

Status typeTied to program duration

Annual Cap & Quota

Subject to annual refugee admissions ceiling

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Petitioner must be a principal refugee admitted to the U.S.

Form I-730 must be filed within 2 years of admission.

Beneficiary must be the spouse or unmarried child under 21 of the petitioner.

Qualifying relationship must have existed before the refugee admission.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Form I-730

Proof of petitioner's refugee status

Proof of relationship (marriage/birth certificates)

Passport-style photographs

Civil documents with English translations

Medical examination results

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • No filing fees
  • Government-funded medical exam
  • Travel loan assistance available
  • Direct pathway to Green Card

Worth Knowing

  • Long processing times
  • Processing pause for specific countries
  • Travel costs are a repayable loan
  • Relationship did not exist prior to refugee admission
  • Filing after 2-year deadline without waiver
  • Applicants from 40 designated countries currently under processing pause

Application Process

1

Petitioner files Form I-730 with USCIS.

2

USCIS conducts domestic processing.

3

Approved petition is sent to the NVC.

4

NVC forwards case to U.S. Embassy/Consulate.

5

Beneficiary completes medical exam and interview.

6

IOM coordinates travel and resettlement.

Application Forms

Go to application portal
I-730
Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition
Fill online
I-485
Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
Fill online
I-765
Application for Employment Authorization
Fill online
I-602
Application by Refugee for Waiver of Grounds of Excludability
Fill online

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