Application Process

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UNDERSTAND HOW AND WHAT TO PREPARE

Step 1. Make Sure You’re Eligible

To be eligible for U.S. resettlement consideration through this initiative, individuals must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Must be of South African nationality; and
  • Must be of Afrikaner ethnicity or be a member of a racial minority in South Africa; and
  • Must be able to articulate a past experience of persecution or fear of future persecution; and
  • Must be at least 18 years old or are being referred with a parent, as defined by the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(b)(2)); and
  • Must be living inside South Africa; PRM does not anticipate any out-of-country processing of South African nationals.
Step 2. Prepare Travel Documentation

Please make sure that you and any other extended family members you would like to add to your travel group have the following documents ready:

  • Passports for the entire family
  • Unabridged birth certificates for children younger than 18
  • Marriage certificates (women) for each name change
  • Divorce certificates
  • Affidavit / Adoption Order / Court Order / Death Certificate of the other parent for children travelling with only one parent or legal guardian
Step 3. Complete the Amerikaners Referral Request

Please, DO NOT COMPLETE the form if you don’t have all your travel documents on hand and are ready to travel soon. ONE FORM PER FAMILY only, to be completed by the Primary Applicant. The Primary Applicant is the person in your family with the best case for persecution.

Add your minor children to your form, as well as the details of your unmarried partner, adult children, elderly parents, and other family members to be included in your travel group.

Please MAKE SURE that all the persons you’re adding to your travel group above have all their documentation on hand and are ready to travel. 

Step 4. Await Email with your UNIQUE ID Number

You will not receive this email immediately. You will be added to a queue to ensure no bottleneck is formed during the processing of applications. This could take weeks. Remain patient, please.

Step 5. Receive Your Email with the UNIQUE ID and Link 

Each member of your family you added to your Referral Request at Step 2 above will receive an email at the same time. All your UNIQUE ID numbers will correlate to ensure your referrals are processed together.

Take your time completing this form, ensuring that all your data is entered thoroughly and accurately. Be honest. Do not exceed data fields; be precise. Do research before completing your persecution claim. Your persecution claim needs to explain how you were affected on a personal level.

Step 6. Receive Email to Verify Your Data

You will receive this email within 24 hours of completing the Web Form as shown in Step 4 above. Please check your data form to ensure all information gathered is correct.

If your data is incorrect, reply to the email with your UNIQUE ID and changes within 24 hours. If your data is correct, no further action is required from you.

Step 7. Data File Hand-Over

If Amerikaners have not received any data changes from you within 24 hours of sending the Verify Data Email as per Step 5 above, your file is handed over to the U.S. Embassy.

Your application is now processed by RSC Africa (CWS) and/or the U.S. Embassy. Amerikaners cannot track your application after this point. Please be patient.

Step 8. Security Screenings

This can include international screenings as well as local background checks; the level of scrutiny will vary from person to person. Be honest about past events and law enforcement interactions.

Step 9. In-Person Pre-Screening Interview

This is an in-person interview for gathering information and documentation to prepare your case for the USCIS eligibility interview. 

This will take place in Gauteng, and you will be required to travel. We will update this page with new information should this change.

Come to your pre-screening interview with your original documentation and copies of documentation for all family members in your case. You will be asked to provide biographic information about many of your relatives, even if they are not with you.

Also, bring any documents you have available to support your persecution case.

Note, as per the U.S. Embassy website, that it is not necessary to have copies of documents verified.

Step 10. In-Person Interview with USCIS

Please be sure to anticipate some time between your pre-screening interview and your USCIS interview. Your application will not be forgotten or lost.

Your USCIS interview will take place in Gauteng, and you will be required to travel. We will update the information on this page should this change.

After your USCIS interview is concluded, your case moves forward if approved, not if denied.

The U.S. government considers a variety of factors when making USRAP access decisions, including eligibility criteria, persecution claim, and background check results.

Step 11. Medical Screening

Your medical screening will most likely take place in major cities, and you may be expected to travel to your nearest service provider. 

This screening is conducted on your whole family and generally includes:

  • Checks for communicable diseases.
  • Verification of vaccination records.
  • A general health assessment.

Information on the vaccinations required is not clear. You will, however, NOT BE expected to accept a COVID-19 vaccine.

We will update this page with the latest information received, should any of the above change.

Step 12. Cultural Orientation

You will be scheduled to attend a DIGITAL Cultural Orientation class, where you will receive valuable information about your journey to the United States and what to expect when you arrive.

Cultural Orientation will prepare you for resettlement by providing practical information on the culture and laws of the United States and assisting you in developing realistic expectations and learn the skills and attitudes needed to succeed in your new environment.

Step 13. Travel to the United States

Flights and travel coordinated by RSC Africa (CWS). You should wait until your travel details are confirmed before selling your belongings, leaving your job, or leaving your home.

Regarding travel arrangements, you will receive the following assistance:

  • Obtaining travel documents
  • Pre-departure orientation

You will receive information on flight schedules, airline regulations, customs requirements, and the specific assistance you should expect to receive in transit and when you arrive in the United States.

  • Transportation to and assistance at embarkation airports
  • Operational or medical escorts for passengers requiring special assistance
  • Assistance in transit, i.e. direction to connecting flights, any necessary booking adjustments, and meals and accommodation as needed during transit
  • Arrival assistance: meeting with staff at your port of entry in the United States to assist with entry formalities, including onward connecting flights

Upon arriving at your final destination in the United States, you will be greeted by a representative from your Resettlement Agency.

OUR INVITATION