Refugees and Asylees

Application and Processing Instructions for Following-to-join Asylum Cases (Visas 92)

The U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), section 208, provides that a person determined to be a refugee “may” be granted asylum, and that the spouse or child of an alien granted asylum “may” be granted the same status if accompanying, or following to join, the principal applicant (INA 208(b)(3)).  The derivative family members are sometimes referred to as Visas 92 (V-92) beneficiaries.

The above makes clear that a spouse or child is not automatically entitled to the same status as the principal applicant, but that the grant of derivative status is discretionary.
A Consular Officer will determine a beneficiary’s eligibility to receive this benefit after interviewing each applicant.  For more information on the subject please click here.
If you are the beneficiary of a V-92 petition, here is the process:

• Upon receiving your file, the U.S. Embassy Consular section will send you a notification letter, inviting you to come and start your process (make sure you give your petitioner accurate contact information);
  
• When you come to the Consular Section, you will be given a checklist of what documents you need to complete, how many and what type of pictures are required, and instructions on obtaining a medical examination;
  
• Once you are ready with the items requested on the checklist, bring them to the Consular Section on the specified walk-in day for immigrant visa services;
  
• If you are documentarily qualified, the Consular Section will schedule an interview appointment and advise you of the date and time for it;
  
• Unless the Consular Officer deems it necessary to do it before the interview, you will be required at this time to pass medical examinations, at your own cost, at a clinic designated by the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti;
  
• Once the Consular Section receives your medical results from its panel physician, and if found eligible for travel to the United States, you will receive an appointment to collect your travel packet, after which you can make your own travel arrangements.
  

Application and Processing Instructions for Following-to-join Refugee Cases (Visas 93)

Refugees admitted to the United States under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, section 207, may petition to have their spouses and unmarried children under 21 follow them to the United States.
When refugees file Form I-730, “Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition” to have these family members join them, the derivative family members are sometimes referred to as Visas 93 (V-93) beneficiaries (also known as "following-to-join").
A Consular Officer will determine a beneficiary’s eligibility to receive this benefit after interviewing each applicant.  For more information on the subject please click here.
If you are the beneficiary of a V-93 petition, here is the process:

• Upon receiving your file, the U.S. Embassy Consular section will send you a notification letter, inviting you to come and start your process (make sure you give your petitioner accurate contact information);
  
• When you come to the Consular Section, you will be given a checklist of what documents you need to complete, how many and what type of pictures are required, and instructions on obtaining a medical examination;
  
• Once you are ready with the items requested on the checklist, bring them to the Consular Section on the specified walk-in day for immigrant visa services;
  
• You will be required at this time to pass medical examinations, the cost of which will be covered by the International Office for Migration (IOM), at a clinic designated by the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti;
  
• If you are documentarily qualified, the Consular Section will schedule an interview appointment and advise you of the date and time for it.
  
• Once the Consular Section receives your medical results from its panel physician, and if found eligible for travel to the United States, the Consular Section will make your travel arrangements in coordination with the IOM, and will notify you when you are ready for travel.
  

For questions and inquiries regarding Asylee (V-92) and Refugee (V-93) following to join cases, please send us an email at DJI-CONS-IV@state.gov, specifying your full name as it appears on your petition, your petitioner’s name and your LIN number.