Register for the virtual New Asylee Orientation with opportunities for questions and answers.
2023 Orientation Dates & TimeHeld the second Tuesday of the month 10am – 12:00pm
Jan 10 Apr 11 July 11 Oct 10
Feb 14 May 9 Aug 8 Nov 14
Mar 14 June 13 Sep 12 Dec 12
This orientation is conducted in English. We must have at least three registrants to provide interpretation in Spanish. We are working to provide other languages. Please have an interpreter or someone to assist you.
The San Francisco Asylum Office is pleased to announce a virtual orientation for persons with asylum status. You have the right to programs and new benefits and resources as a newly granted asylee. Some of these benefits are limited and time sensitive, beginning on the date that you are granted asylum. This orientation focuses on California benefits and services. However, some information applies to persons with asylum status throughout the U.S.A.
This webinar is offered by partner agencies* and shares important information on:
- Your right to employment
- Health insurance and healthcare
- Cash and food benefits
- The education system in the U.S.
- Immigration and other legal issues such as family reunification, travel and how to stay on track to adjust status to lawful permanent residency
- Contact links to government agencies and resource
- Assistance to link to first medical care through the California Office of Refugee Health
To Register for the Orientation: Aim your mobile camera on the QR Code below. Then click “open” in your browser link.

You will need to enter your mobile number or email in order to receive a registration link.
After you register for the orientation you will receive a link to join via Zoom. You must have an electronic device such as computer or smartphone to view the webinar. You will have the opportunity to ask general questions. Your identity will NOT be visible to other participants.
New Asylee Orientation Materials
SLIDES: New Asylee Orientation Presentation slides: English [PDF], Spanish [PDF]. |
Asylee Navigation and Resource Sheets English and Spanish. |
What to Do After You are Granted Asylum & What to take with you to apply for benefits programs for all counties [PDF] |
Example Testament for persons who apply for public benefits with no bank account or no rental contract: English [DOC], Spanish [DOC] |
USCIS Welcomes Refugees and Asylees USCIS “How do I “ Guides for Refugees and Asylees:
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List of items needed to apply for a REAL ID and Fact Sheet |
Process to Prepare for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident “green card” application |
Language accessibility card to request an interpreter when visiting agencies |
Free templates for U.S. Resumes & Cover Letters for job search (Resumes in the USA do NOT include birthday, age, marital status, or immigration status) |
Additional Resources for Asylees
What to do after being granted asylum status in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Marin counties: English [PDF], Spanish [PDF], Chinese [PDF], Arabic [PDF], Russian [PDF], and Portuguese [PDF]. |
Apply for public benefits at the county where you live - New asylees may apply for important public benefits (for example: Cash Aid, Medi-Cal, and CalFresh). Apply for these benefits NOW as many of them are time-limited. Click HERE to find out where to go. |
Other CA County benefits offices |
Timeline for New Asylees is a helpful guideline of important timeframes. This is available in English and Spanish. |
Refugee/Asylee Health Assessment services in Washington and Oregon [PDF] |
Asylee Workers Rights: Refugees and Asylees have the Right To Work and Information for Refugees and Asylees About the Form I-9 |
How to Avoid Fraud When Seeking Immigration Legal Services (ILRC) |
Asylee Outreach Project info and resources |
Migration Policy Institute Migration Data Hub |
The Missing Link: Connecting Eligible Asylees and Asylum Seekers with Benefits and Services |
Asylees and refugees are among a list of immigrants who are NOT affected by the public charge rule. Visit the San Francisco Human Services Agency website and California Department of Social Services for more information.
*This virtual orientation is hosted by The California Department of Public Health’s Office of Refugee Health and The San Francisco Department of Public Health’s Newcomers Health Program.