Complete the Statement of Interest Form

Go to the U.S. Embassy South Africa webpage:

https://za.usembassy.gov/refugee-admissions-program-for-south-africans

Get ready to fill in the “Google form” called “Statement of Interest.”

Complete ONE FORM per nuclear family – the principal applicant (head of family) completes it.

Children 21 and over must complete their own form. The same goes for parents and other extended family. Go HERE to structure your family BEFORE completing this form.

Filling in the Statement of Interest Form

Biographical Information & Contact

• Surname, First Name, Middle Name of the Primary Applicant ONLY – Use the exact names shown in your passport or birth certificate.
• Primary Phone Number – Give a contact number where you can be contacted.
• Primary Email – Use your personal email. If you do not have one, create a free email address (e.g., Gmail).
• Country of Residence – Tick South Africa if you are currently living there. If not, choose “Other” and write the country you are in.
• How many people in your family want to resettle? – Count yourself and all family members who want to move to the U.S. Include children. 

Do you all have valid South African passports?

Tick YES if everyone applying already has a valid passport.

If some are still applying or waiting for Home Affairs to issue a passport, tick NO. You can still apply even if your passport is being processed.

How soon can your family travel?

Be honest about the earliest realistic time you could leave South Africa. Consider how long your documents will take to prepare and factors such as disposing of assets and work commitments.

Refugee Claim – Why do you want protection?

Choose the reasons that apply to your situation. 

Here is what each option means (they refer to both past and current experiences that you will have to articulate to the US Authorities in the interview process):

• Past persecution based on race – You or your family were or are being targeted, harmed, threatened, or discriminated against because of your skin colour or ethnic group, such as being treated unfairly or excluded for being white.
• Past persecution based on religion – You or your family were or are being targeted, harmed, threatened, or discriminated because of your faith or religious beliefs.
• Past persecution based on nationality – You or your family were or are being targeted, harmed, threatened, or discriminated because of your national identity, language, or cultural background, such as discrimination for being white South African.
• Past persecution based on political opinion – You or your family were or your family are experiencing being targeted, harmed, threatened, or discriminated because of your political views or party support (for example, being outspoken against the government).
• Past persecution based on membership in a particular social group – You or your family were or are being targeted, harmed, threatened, or discriminated because you belong to a specific group, such as a farming community, cultural group, or organisation that is being targeted.

AND/OR

• Fear of future harm – You or your family believe you are not safe in South Africa and may be harmed in the future for any of the above reasons (race, religion, nationality, political view, or group).

AND/OR

• None of the above – Only choose this if you have not experienced and do not fear any danger
  based on the reasons above. Choosing this may make it harder to qualify.

Click Submit

Note, the form will tell you that your submission is a success, BUT, you will unfortunately not receive an email confirmation.