This article was last updated on August 3, 2026

NOTE: As of January 20, 2025, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) has paused most refugee processing and admissions, including Lautenberg Program applications. The information below describes the process that existed when the program was operational. We do not know if or when the U.S. government may begin processing Lautenberg applications again. Additionally, the Resettlement Support Center (RSC) in Austria, which processed Iranian Lautenberg applications, is currently closed. 

Summary

This guide is for Iranian nationals who are members of religious minorities and seek to reunite with family in the United States through the Iranian Lautenberg Program (the “HIAS Program”).

About the Iranian Lautenberg Program

The Iranian Lautenberg Program, sometimes known among applicants as “The HIAS Program,” allows certain Iranian religious minorities to apply for refugee resettlement through the U.S. Refugee Admission Program (USRAP). The application process must be initiated by a U.S.-based family member with legal immigration status. 

The U.S.-based individual must be:

• A U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident (or “green card” holder), asylee, refugee, or parolee; and
• At least 18 years old.

The refugee applicant must be:

• The parent, child, spouse, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling of the U.S.-based family member; and
• A citizen of Iran who is residing in Iran; and
• A member of a religious minority, including: Jews, Christians, Baha’is, Sabaean-Mandaeans, and Zoroastrians; and
• At least 18 years old.

How to File an Application

U.S. family members and Iranian applicants cannot apply directly to the U.S. government to access this program. Only resettlement agencies in the United States can submit the initial application. 

The U.S. family member must request assistance from a local resettlement agency, which will help them file a “Refugee Information Form” (RIF) with all the relevant information regarding their Iranian family member. However, it is possible that resettlement agencies are currently unable to assist with this application assistance due to the U.S. government’s pause on most refugee programs. 

Required Documents

The U.S. family member will be required to provide:

• Birth certificate; and
• Proof of current legal status in the United States, such as a passport, green card, or certificate of naturalization.

The refugee applicant will be required to provide:

• Birth certificate (Shenasnameh)
• National ID card (Melli)
• Passport
• Marriage certificate, name change decree, divorce decree, adoption order (if relevant)
• Evidence of religious affiliation 
• Military identity or exemption card (if relevant)
• Passport photos

English translations are required for documents that are not in English. You may be required to provide documents not listed above at the time of submission, or later in the process.

Next Steps in Processing

NOTE: As of January 20, 2025, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) has paused most refugee processing and admissions, including Lautenberg Program applicants. It is not known when the U.S. government will begin processing Lautenberg applications again. Additionally, the Resettlement Support Center (RSC) in Austria, which processed Iranian Lautenberg applications, is currently closed.

Below is a description of the way processing worked when the program was live.

After the initial application is filed, the U.S. government will conduct an initial screening of the application. 

In the past, final processing occurred in Vienna, Austria, and the U.S. government helped applicants relocate to Austria. U.S. family members would also pay a fee to HIAS called a Care and Maintenance (C&M) deposit. The fee helped the applicant with their stay in Vienna while their case was being processed. Please note that HIAS is currently attempting to refund the C&M fee for those who have been unable to complete case processing as a result of the refugee program closure. Follow the instructions on this website to request a refund. 

While in Vienna, applicants would have official interviews, medical checks, and security checks before receiving a final decision on their application. More information on USRAP processing is available here and a guide on how to prepare for a refugee interview is here.

HIAS provided applicants in Vienna with information and instructions on how to travel to the United States.

Refugee applicants who were denied by USCIS can request that the U.S. government review their case again. More information on how to submit this request can be found here.

Iranian Lautenberg Refugee Applicants Who Traveled to Vienna and Received Denials

If you are an Iranian religious minority who traveled to Vienna through the Iranian Lautenberg (HIAS) program and you were denied refugee admission, find out if you can benefit from a lawsuit settlement by visiting this website and entering your case number.

Asking for help

You or your relative may want to ask an immigration attorney for help with this process. Here are a few resources:

Help from IRAP

• Information about asking for help from IRAP is here.
• If you are in Jordan, you can ask for IRAP Jordan’s help using this form. If the form is closed, you can check back at a later date.

Help from other organizations

• A list of free immigration legal service providers in the United States is available here. These attorneys are not affiliated with IRAP.
• A list of private immigration attorneys in the United States is available here. Please note that private immigration attorneys may charge a fee for their services. These attorneys are not affiliated with IRAP.