Refugee status is granted to individuals who apply for protection from outside the United States, usually through the United Nations or a U.S. embassy, before being admitted. Asylum, on the other hand, is protection granted to people who are already inside the U.S. or at a port of entry and fear persecution in their home country.

The main difference between refugee status and asylum lies in the place of application. Refugees seek protection abroad and are processed for entry to the U.S., while asylum seekers request protection once they are physically present in the U.S. or at its borders. Both provide a pathway to lawful permanent residency and eventually citizenship.

Refugee status is part of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and involves vetting and approval before entering the country. Asylum is requested after arrival in the U.S. by someone who fears returning home. While both statuses are based on a well-founded fear of persecution, the procedures and timing of applications differ.