Green card through asylum and refugee status

This page explains how people who have been granted asylum in the United States or admitted to the United States as refugees obtain a green card. You will find the basic rules for asylum applications, the new fees introduced in 2025–2026, the documents required for a green card application, how to bring family members, and travel rules. Asylum cases are specific to each person; consult an immigration attorney before taking action.

• Asylee: A person who requests asylum while in the United States or at a port of entry and is granted asylum.
• Refugee: A person who is selected through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) while outside the United States and admitted to the United States as a refugee.
  • People living in Türkiye cannot apply to this program themselves. USCIS says they should contact the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for referral to the program.
• Obtaining a green card:
  • A refugee must apply for a green card after being physically present in the United States for at least 1 year.
  • An asylee may obtain a green card 1 year after asylum is granted.
• For both groups, the application is filed from within the United States using Form I-485 (adjustment of status).

• An asylum application is filed using Form I-589. You must be physically present in the United States to apply.
• You must apply within 1 year of your most recent entry into the United States. A delay is accepted only if:
  • your circumstances changed in a way that affects your eligibility, or there are extraordinary circumstances that caused the delay, and
  • you applied within a reasonable period based on those circumstances.
• There are two paths:
  • Application to USCIS (affirmative): You may apply regardless of how you entered or your current status. If the application is denied and you do not have lawful status, the case is referred to an immigration judge.
  • Application in court (defensive): A person in removal proceedings requests asylum as a defense before a judge.
• You may include your spouse and unmarried children under 21 who are in the United States in your application. You may do this at any time until a decision is made.
• The form must be completed in English. If the interview cannot be conducted in English, you must bring an interpreter.
  • The interpreter must be at least 18 years old.
  • Your attorney, witness, or a representative or employee of your country may not serve as the interpreter.
  • Failing to bring an interpreter without a valid reason may be treated as failing to appear for the interview.

• The USCIS filing fee for Form I-589 is $0. However, the H.R. 1 law that took effect in July 2025 introduced additional fees:
  • At filing: $100 for the principal applicant only.
  • Annual asylum fee: Charged each year while the application is pending. USCIS will notify you when payment is due. The fee is $105 from October 16, 2026 (the previous amount was $102).
  • Fee waivers cannot be requested for these fees.
• The H.R. 1 fee for the initial employment authorization document (EAD) based on a pending asylum application is $570 from October 16, 2026 (the previous amount was $560).
• Applications mailed on or after October 16, 2026, will not be accepted if the new amount is not paid.

• Work permit: You may file Form I-765 after your application has been pending for 150 days. The permit is issued once the application has been pending for a total of 180 days. Delays requested or caused by you do not count toward this period.
• New rules effective since August 21, 2026:
  • Submit all evidence to the asylum office at least 14 calendar days before the interview. Late evidence may not be added to the file, or the interview may be postponed.
  • An interview is postponed only if an extraordinary circumstance is proven.
  • If you do not attend the interview, a warning letter is no longer sent. If you do not request a postponement before the interview or within 10 calendar days after the missed date, your application may be dismissed or referred to an immigration judge.
  • A request for a new appointment for missed biometrics must be made within 10 calendar days and include evidence of the extraordinary circumstance.
• Travel: If you leave the United States while the application is pending, you must first obtain advance parole using Form I-131. If you leave without authorization, you will be considered to have abandoned your application.
• Case tracking: Use your receipt number on the USCIS case status inquiry page.

• You properly filed Form I-485 and are in the United States on the date of filing.
• USCIS, an immigration judge, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), or a federal court granted you asylum.
• You have been physically present in the United States for at least 1 year after asylum was granted. This 1 year must have elapsed by the date the application is adjudicated (USCIS statement dated February 2, 2023).
  • You may file Form I-485 before 1 year has elapsed. However, USCIS may request additional evidence and processing may take longer.
  • According to USCIS, applications filed after 1 year has elapsed may be processed more quickly.
• You still meet the definition of a “refugee” or are the spouse or child of the principal applicant.
• You have not permanently resettled in another country, and your asylum status has not been terminated.
• You have no inadmissibility grounds, or you have obtained a waiver.
  • Some inadmissibility grounds do not apply to asylees.
  • Some may be waived using Form I-602. There is no fee for Form I-602.
• USCIS also exercises discretion in this application.

1. Form I-485 and the fee, or a fee waiver request using Form I-912.
2. A copy of the asylum decision: decision letter, judge’s decision, or Form I-94 showing the date asylum was granted.
3. Proof that you were in the United States for 1 year after asylum was granted.
4. Two passport-style photographs.
5. A copy of your official photo identification.
6. A copy of your birth certificate, if available.
7. Copies of passport pages showing a visa and entry stamp, if available.
8. Form I-693 (medical examination and vaccination record) or a partial Form I-693. The application may not be accepted if it is not submitted together with Form I-485.
9. Certified police and court records for any arrests, charges, or convictions, if applicable.
10. Form I-602, if required.
11. Family members (derivative asylees): Each person files a separate Form I-485. In addition, proof of the relationship, such as a marriage or birth certificate, and proof of their own asylum status, such as an approved Form I-730, are required.
12. Refugees: Everyone submits the vaccination section of Form I-693. Only people with a “Class A” medical condition repeat the examination.

• Form I-485 fee (asylees): $1,440 (paper) or $1,390 (online). For a child under 14 applying with a parent, the fee is $950 (paper) or $900 (online).
• Refugees: The Form I-485 fee is $0; no biometrics fee is charged.
• Form I-693: USCIS does not charge a fee. The civil surgeon determines the examination fee.
• Mailing address: Form I-485 addresses changed on October 7, 2026. The address depends on your application type and state of residence. See the “Asylum, Refugee” section on the Form I-485 address page. Applications sent to the old addresses through November 9, 2026, are also accepted.
• Do not place Form I-765 or Form I-131 in the same envelope as Form I-485.
• USCIS Contact Center — application questions
  • Phone: +1 800 375 5283 (TTY for people who are deaf or hard of hearing: +1 800 767 1833)
  • Outside the United States: +1 212 620 3418
  • Live assistance: Monday–Friday, 08:00–20:00 (U.S. Eastern Time). The automated system is available 24/7.
• USCIS Ankara Field Office — the USCIS office in Türkiye; processes Form I-730 cases for spouses and children in Türkiye
  • Email: Ankara-USCIS@uscis.dhs.gov
  • Services are provided by appointment only; walk-ins are not accepted.
  • Fees are paid at the Embassy cashier by Visa/MasterCard or in cash in U.S. dollars or Turkish lira.

• You may file Form I-730 for your spouse and unmarried children under 21 within 2 years after asylum is granted or you are admitted as a refugee. A waiver of the 2-year requirement may be requested for humanitarian reasons.
• The fee is $0. Include a passport-style or recently taken clear photograph of each family member; if missing, additional evidence will be requested and processing will be delayed.
• Mailing address:
  • USPS: USCIS, Attn: I-730, P.O. Box 20018, Phoenix, AZ 85036-0018
  • FedEx, UPS, DHL: USCIS, Attn: I-730 (Box 20018), 2108 E. Elliot Rd., Tempe, AZ 85284-1806
• If your family member is in Türkiye, the case is transferred to the USCIS Ankara Field Office; the office contacts you and your attorney. Notify the office by email if your family member’s contact information changes.
• After arriving in the United States, family members file their own Form I-485 once the 1-year period has elapsed.

• If you are an asylee or refugee and do not have a green card, you need a refugee travel document to return to the United States.
  • Apply using Form I-131 before leaving the United States.
  • If biometrics are required, attend the appointment before leaving as well; failure to do so may result in denial of the application.
• The document is valid for 1 year and cannot be extended.
• People who obtained a green card through asylum or refugee status may also obtain this document.
• Fee (Form I-131):
  • asylee or person who obtained a green card through asylum: $165 for age 16 and older, $135 under age 16
  • refugee or person who obtained a green card through refugee status: $0

• Missing the 1-year deadline for filing an asylum application after entering the United States.
• Waiting until the last days before the interview to submit evidence (it must now be submitted at least 14 days in advance).
• Sending Form I-485 without Form I-693.
• Putting Forms I-485, I-765, and I-131 in the same envelope.
• Failing to pay the annual asylum fee within the period stated in the notice.
• Leaving the United States without obtaining a refugee travel document.
• Traveling to Türkiye without consulting an attorney.
• Failing to report your address within 10 days after moving. See 3.11 Maintaining the card.

• I was granted asylum. When can I apply for a green card? You may file Form I-485 before 1 year has elapsed. However, 1 year must have elapsed by the decision date; additional evidence may be requested for an early application.
• I came as a refugee. Am I required to apply? Yes. The law requires a refugee to apply for a green card after being in the United States for 1 year.
• Do I need an EAD to work as an asylee? No. You may work as soon as asylum is granted; your Form I-94 is proof of your status. For asylum granted by USCIS, the initial EAD is issued free of charge. For asylum granted by a judge, file Form I-765 for an EAD.
• My family is in Türkiye. How can I bring them? File Form I-730 within 2 years after asylum is granted. The case is processed by the USCIS Ankara Field Office.
• Can I go to Türkiye while my asylum application is pending? You must first obtain advance parole. If you leave without authorization, you will be considered to have abandoned your application. Advance parole also does not guarantee your return.
• Can I complete the form in Turkish? No. The Turkish translation provided by USCIS is for reading purposes only; answers must be written in English.

• Form I-589 (PDF) · Instructions (PDF)
• Turkish translation of Form I-589 (PDF) · Turkish translation of the instructions (PDF) — for reading only; fee information is not current
• Form I-485 (PDF) · Instructions (PDF)
• Form I-693 (PDF) · Instructions (PDF)
• Form I-602 (PDF) · Instructions (PDF)
• Form I-730 (PDF) · Instructions (PDF)
• Form I-131 (PDF) · Instructions (PDF)
• Form I-912 fee waiver (PDF)
• USCIS fee schedule G-1055 (PDF)
• Find a civil surgeon
• Case status inquiry
• USCIS online account
• Find an asylum office
• Related: 3.8 Application path: From within the United States or from Türkiye? · 3.11 Maintaining the card