#considering

HOWZIT — Thinking about applying through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program?

Before you take the next step, make sure you understand how the process works, what information may be required, who makes the decisions, what your responsibilities are, and where to find official information.

This page is here to help you prepare — not to tell you whether you should apply.

We don't decide your future. We help you understand it.

FIRST, UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE APPLYING FOR

USRAP IS NOT A VISA APPLICATION!!!

The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) is a refugee resettlement program for people who are outside the United States and meet the applicable requirements under U.S. law and program rules.

Refugee processing is different from applying for a tourist visa, work visa, family-based immigrant visa, or asylum in the United States.

USAGov currently explains the distinction between refugee status and asylum: refugees are outside the United States, while asylum is sought by people who are already in the United States.

https://www.usa.gov/refugee

BEFORE YOU APPLY, ASK YOURSELF

DON'T ASSUME YOUR JOURNEY WILL LOOK LIKE SOMEONE ELSE'S

Seeing someone on social media being approved, travelling to America, or starting a new life does not mean your journey will be the same.

Social media can show one person's experience — but it doesn't necessarily show the complete story, the circumstances behind their case, or the process that happened before the camera was turned on. Many social media accounts and claims are not independently verified. You may also hear very different versions of what happens during the application and processing journey.

One person may say something happened quickly. Another may describe a completely different experience. Both may genuinely be describing what they believe happened to them — but their experience does not automatically tell you what will happen in your case. Don't use someone else's social-media journey as a promise of your own future. Check official information. Ask questions. Verify the source.

Your case is your case. Your circumstances are your circumstances.

ARE YOU READY TO PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION?

Refugee processing involves questions about your identity, family, background, experiences, circumstances and other information relevant to your case. Be truthful. Be consistent. Don't guess. If you don't know an answer, say that you don't know rather than inventing one.

DON'T COMPARE YOUR JOURNEY
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SOCIAL MEDIA ISN'T THE OFFICIAL SOURCE
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YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES ARE INDIVIDUAL
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BE TRUTHFUL AND ACCURATE

WHAT INFORMATION MAY YOU NEED?

GET YOUR INFORMATION TOGETHER

UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENT PEOPLE INVOLVED

ACCESS / REFERRAL DOES NOT MEAN APPROVAL

Being referred for refugee processing does not mean that you have been approved for refugee admission. Referral or access to the my-case portal for processing is one part of a much larger process.