Asylum and Refugee Information and Application Guide

Individuals being persecuted in their home countries may apply for asylum, refugee status, or temporary protected status in the United States. USCIS notes that economic hardship is not deemed to be a sufficient reason for an individual to apply for asylum or refugee status. The comprehensive Asylum and Refugee application package makes the application process easy to understand. This is a step-by-step guide to help you file your application as efficiently and quickly as possible. The information in the "Asylum and Refugee Application Guide" will assist you in determining your eligibility for applying for temporary or permanent resident status in the United States.

There is a difference between Asylum and Refugee Status:

• Asylum: Individuals already physically present in the US may apply for asylum, provided they meet the definition of a refugee and are not barred by law from applying for or being granted asylum.
• Refugee: A refugee is a person who is unable or unwilling to return to his or her native country due to a well-founded fear of persecution or because the person's life or freedom would be threatened. To apply for refugee status, the applicant must be physically located outside the United States.

Important: One year after legally being granted asylum or refugee status in the United States, the applicant may apply for a Green Card and eventually for United States Citizenship.

The "Asylum and Refugee Application Guide" contains:

• Asylum in the United States - An Overview
• Refugee Status in the United States - An Overview
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) information
• Benefits and Limitations of Refugees and Asylum seekers
• Who qualifies for Asylum in the United States
• How to apply for refugee status in the United States
• Asylum and Refugee quotas
• How to apply for a Green Card
• List of all USCIS (formerly INS) offices nationwide
• List of United States embassies and consulates
• FREE Application forms
  * All immigration forms are provided to you free of charge with the purchase of this application guide.