The fiscal year begins on October 1 and ends September 30.

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission ended on December 31, 2014, and the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission (RSM) began on January 1, 2015. Section 1227 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2015 expanded the SIV program to certain Afghans who had been employed by ISAF, but did not provide for SIVs for Afghans employed by successor missions. Section 1216 of the NDAA for FY 2016 expands qualification to now include Afghans employed by ISAF successor missions. Certain Afghans employed by RSM, as well as any future successor missions to ISAF, may now qualify for the Afghan SIV program.  Applicants who were employed by ISAF, RSM, or a successor mission, or a combination of these entities, must meet all of the SIV program requirements explained in Step 1. 

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2017 authorized the issuance of 8,500 visas since December 19, 2014.  The program will end when all 8,500 visas have been issued. SIVs issued to a principal applicant’s spouse and children do not count toward the numerical limit.

Your spouse, as well as unmarried children younger than age 21, may be granted SIVs, and may travel with you or may follow to join you after you have been admitted to the United States.

Applicants who submit applications for Chief of Mission (COM) approval on or after October 1, 2015 must demonstrate two years of qualifying service. You are considered to have submitted an application for Chief of Mission (COM) approval if you sent an email to the National Visa Center indicating you are seeking COM approval and providing, at a minimum, your name, date of birth, evidence of Afghan nationality, and email address.  Applicants who submitted applications on or before September 30, 2015 must demonstrate one year of qualifying service.  

A complete application for COM approval requires all of the information and documents listed in the above Q/A and in the Applicant Guidelines for Chief of Mission Approval (PDF - 291 KB), but an expression of interest, along with name, date of birth, evidence of Afghan nationality, and email address, is sufficient for determination of the date on which COM approval was sought.

The HR letter should confirm that you were employed by, or on behalf of, the U.S. government, or by ISAF or a successor mission, for at least two years and must include the details outlined in the Applicant Guidelines for Chief of Mission Approval (PDF - 291 KB).

Afghans employed by an organization under a U.S. grant or cooperative agreement are not eligible for the SIV program; if you are unsure of whether this is the case, please inquire with your HR department before you apply for Chief of Mission approval. Afghans who were employed by contractors or subcontractors to work at ISAF, or a successor mission, do not qualify for the SIV program.

If you were employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government: The letter of recommendation should normally be from the U.S. citizen who directly supervises you, or supervises the company for which you are employed and must include the details outlined the Applicant Guidelines for Chief of Mission Approval.

If you were employed by ISAF, or a successor mission:  The letter of recommendation should be from a member of the U.S. military who personally worked with you and must include the details outlined in the Applicant Guidelines for Chief of Mission Approval. 

If your previous supervisor was U.S. military or an employee of the U.S. Department of Defense and you are having trouble locating him or her, the Supervisor Locator can possibly help. Learn more.

You should provide a letter of recommendation signed by your non-U.S. citizen supervisor and co-signed by the U.S. citizen who is responsible for the contract. The letter must include the details outlined in the Applicant Guidelines for Chief of Mission Approval. 

Afghans who were employed by contractors or subcontractors to work at ISAF, or a successor mission, do not qualify for the SIV program.

Section 1227 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2015, which expanded the program to include certain Afghans who were employed by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and section 1216 of the NDAA for FY 2016, which expands the program to include Afghans who were employed by successor missions to ISAF, do not include contractors or subcontractors with ISAF, or successor missions.  Section 1227 of the FY 2015 NDAA states only that qualifying applicants must be employed “by the International Security Assistance Force,” interpreted to include direct hires by ISAF or ISAF member nations. While section 1216 of the FY 2016 NDAA expanded qualification for the SIV program to certain Afghans employed by successor missions to ISAF, the language did not include contractors and subcontractors.

You may qualify if you have a total of at least two years of employment between October 7, 2001 and December 31, 2016 with ISAF, or a successor mission, in a capacity that required you to serve as an interpreter or translator for U.S. military personnel while traveling off-base with U.S. military personnel stationed at ISAF, or a successor mission, or to perform sensitive and trusted activities for U.S. military personnel stationed at ISAF, or a successor mission.

There is no required format, but the letter must include the details outlined in the Applicant Guidelines for Chief of Mission Approval. Generic form letters from supervisors are not helpful to your application. All letters of recommendation should be proofread closely.  Letters of recommendation with significant spelling and grammar errors may delay processing. 

You must write, sign, and date a brief statement describing the threat you face as a result of your employment with or on behalf of the U.S. government in Afghanistan. Although statements provided by other parties may be included, you must also provide your own statement. Please provide as many details as possible. 

Section 1219 of Public Law 113-66 provides that a credible sworn statement depicting dangerous country conditions, together with official evidence of such country conditions from the U.S government, should be considered as a factor in a determination of whether an applicant has experienced or is experiencing an ongoing serious threat as a consequence of employment by the U.S. government.

The Chief of Mission, or his/her designee, will assess the gravity of the reasons for the disciplinary action and whether your record as a whole, notwithstanding the disciplinary actions, is one of faithful service. It will generally be more difficult for you to demonstrate faithful service if the record reflects that disciplinary action has been taken against you.

Send all required documents by email to the National Visa Center (NVC) at: AfghanSIVapplication@state.gov.

You will need an email address to facilitate communication with the NVC, both to submit documents and receive instructions.

You must submit an application including, at a minimum, name, date of birth, evidence of Afghan nationality, and an email address, to the National Visa Center no later than December 31, 2020. However, only complete Chief of Mission applications containing all required documents and information will be forwarded to U.S. Embassy Kabul for a decision by the Chief of Mission designee. Applicants who meet the December 31, 2020 deadline may provide additional required information or documentation following that date.

The NVC will collect and review your documents. Once the NVC deems the application packet complete, it is forwarded to the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, where the Chief of Mission (COM) SIV approval designee and staff will review your case. If approved, a Chief of Mission Approval letter will be sent to you via email with instructions on how to send your application and a Form I-360 petition to the USCIS Nebraska Service Center. See Step 2 below.

The Chief of Mission (COM) is the principal officer in charge of a diplomatic mission and is appointed by the President. For more information, visit the website of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.

Applicants whose Chief of Mission (COM) applications are denied will receive a letter of denial by email which will provide an explanation of the basis for denial. You may file one appeal of a COM denial, and it must be filed within 120 days of receiving the denial letter by email. Your appeal should request that your denied COM application be reopened and should provide additional information pertinent to your application, clarify existing information in your original application, or explain any unfavorable information that was contained in the letter of denial.

You determine which route you choose to pursue. Both processes take several months to complete. Registration and application for either program is not a guarantee of eventual admission to the United States. You may pursue both applications simultaneously. The refugee and SIV programs differ in process and eligibility. Please consult the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration website for more information about accessing the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.

You may apply for both the refugee and SIV programs at the same time. At the time of your interview with a U.S. government official for either refugee or SIV status, you should ask that your case in the other status be closed. You may be asked to submit a written request to close your other case.

If you have questions about your Chief of Mission letter, please contact the National Visa Center at AfghanSIVapplication@state.gov.

Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant is available on the USCIS Forms webpage.

If you scan and email your Form I-360 petition, include the email address you want USCIS to use to send your electronic receipt (Form I-797). If no email address is submitted with the form, the receipt notice will be sent electronically to the email address from which the petition was submitted. 

USCIS cannot send mail outside the United States except to an APO address. If you have access to an APO address, USCIS will use this address. If you do not have access to an APO address, but you have family, friends, or an attorney with an address in the United States, you may list their address (with their permission). In Part 1, line 3, the family member’s, friend’s, or attorney’s name must be listed in the C/O (in care of) section; otherwise the post office will not deliver the mail. You should also list your email address as this is the best way for USCIS to reach you.

If you don’t have an APO address or an address in the United States, you should list your email address.

All petitions for this program are adjudicated at USCIS Nebraska Service Center. If approved, USCIS will forward your petition to NVC, which will then contact you by email to begin collecting the necessary documentation to support your visa application. NVC also will schedule your visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas.

USCIS will continue to process each petition, even after the numerical limit of visas has been reached. When your petition has been approved, it will be sent to NVC. If visas are available, NVC will contact you to schedule the visa interview. If visas are no longer available, NVC will hold the petition.

Part 1 and Part 3 contain similar information, but Part 3 includes additional required information. Both parts should be completed.

You should check box “N” - Special Immigrant Afghan National who was employed by or on behalf of the U.S. Government or the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.

Under this particular program, there are no filing or biometric fees associated with filing the petition.

No. A refugee in the United States is not eligible to file Form I-485 and make an application to adjust from refugee to SIV status. Under U.S. law, an employment-based immigrant must be in valid nonimmigrant status in order to apply for adjustment. Instead, a refugee may adjust to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status one year after his or her refugee admission. (Note: there is no fee for applicants who are filing Form I-485 to adjust to LPR status based on having been admitted to the United States as a refugee.)

See the USCIS website for further information.

If you need further information about the petition filing process, you may email the USCIS Nebraska Service Center at SIVTranslator.NSC@dhs.gov.

Once NVC receives your approved petition from USCIS, NVC will contact you by email to advise you to begin collecting the appropriate documents to move ahead with your visa application. NVC will schedule your immigrant visa interview for you and your family at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas. NVC will forward your SIV case to that U.S. Embassy or Consulate for your visa interview. NVC will work with you to schedule your appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country in which you reside or to which you can easily travel.

You must provide an email address to facilitate communication with NVC. You may contact NVC by email at NVCSIV@state.gov.

If you have questions about gathering the necessary documents for the visa application, please contact the National Visa Center at NVCSIV@state.gov.

Please scan and send all documentation to NVC via email at NVCSIV@state.gov. Do not mail any original documents or photos to NVC. You should hand-carry your original documents and photos with you to your visa interview.

Yes. Afghan special immigrants are eligible for the same resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and other benefits as refugees admitted under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, for a period of up to eight (8) months after being admitted to the United States.

If you wish to participate in the U.S. Department of State’s Reception and Placement (R&P) Program, which covers only your first 30-90 days in the United States, you must apply for it before you arrive in the United States.

To apply, you must return scanned, signed copies of the Refugee Benefits Election Form (PDF - 56 KB) (signature required) and the Special Immigrant Visa Biodata Form (DS-0234) (PDF - 312 KB), included in the visa instruction packet, to NVC as soon as possible but no later than 10 calendar days after the date your visa is issued. In addition, you must submit to NVC a scanned copy of your visa as soon as possible but no later than 30 calendar days prior to the visa’s expiration. You should not wait to submit the Refugee Benefits Election Form and the Special Immigrant Biodata Form (DS-0234) until visa issuance. All three items must be received by NVC prior to the deadlines indicated above. Failure to do so will result in the denial of any future request for Department of State-funded resettlement benefits. Additional information about Department of State-funded benefits can be found here.

If you decline to receive Department of State-funded resettlement benefits, you may still be eligible to receive benefits funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement (HHS/ORR). Unlike Department of State-funded benefits, HHS/ORR-funded benefits can be claimed upon arrival in the United States. Additional information about HHS/ORR-funded benefits can be found here.

When your approved petition reaches NVC, you will be advised by email and provided with instructions. If you believe that you have an approved petition, but you have not been contacted by NVC, or you have questions about your pending SIV case after the petition has been approved, please email NVC at NVCSIV@state.gov or call 1-603-334-0828 and provide your USCIS receipt number, full name, and date of birth. Customer Service Representatives at NVC are available from 7:30 a.m. to midnight (EST). The hours for congressional inquiries are from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (EST).

You may email NVC at NVCSIV@state.gov.

Yes. After USCIS has approved your petition, an interview is required to determine if you are eligible for a visa. You must appear in person at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate where a consular officer will interview you. U.S. law also requires you to submit fingerprints, which will be taken at the interview. The consular officer will also require evidence that you plan to resign from your position in order to immigrate to the United States.

Each family member who is applying for a visa with you must also appear at the embassy or consulate for an interview.

Yes. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, conducts interviews for and issues immigrant visas. If you are in another country, the interview will be conducted at the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate that adjudicates immigrant visa applications. You can find a list of our embassies and consulates at http://www.usembassy.gov.

Yes, your spouse, as well as your unmarried minor children under age 21, may accompany you to the United States or follow to join you in the United States. These family members must also attend the visa interview. You must provide proof of the marriage relationship to your spouse and the relationship to your children. Your family members may not precede you in entering the U.S.

NOTE: We strongly advise you to bring your spouse and minor dependent children with you to your visa interview. This will facilitate having all eligible family members travel to the United States together. If it is not possible for your family members to travel to the interview with you, they will be required to schedule interviews at a later date and may follow-to-join you in the United States at a later time.

If you marry after your petition is approved but before you travel to the United States, your new spouse may be added to the original petition. You should immediately contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where your interview took place, to notify consular officials that your new spouse should be added to the petition and an interview scheduled. If you marry a foreign national after you have already traveled to the United States, you will need to file a new petition for your spouse.

Your spouse or children may, in some circumstances, still be eligible for a visa if a petition had been approved by USCIS, but the petition was revoked or terminated after its approval due to the death of the principal applicant.

Please bring your passport, any military photo identification (if available), civilian identification badges, and originals of any civil documents, such as marriage certificates, taskeras or death certificates, including all documents that were submitted by email to the NVC. (Applicants must provide new Afghan machine-readable e-passports.) At the visa interview, you will also be expected to provide written evidence of your intent to immigrate promptly to the United States.

In addition, you should bring two recent photographs of each applicant, which meet the Photo Requirements.

An attorney or other accredited representative may represent you during the SIV application process, including at relevant interviews and examinations. Such representation is not to be the expense of the U.S. government.

No. When preparing for your visa interview, please plan for the possibility that you may need to stay for more than one day in the city where your interview takes place. You will not be able to complete your medical examination and interview on the same day. Some medical exams may require tests with delayed results.

No. While embassies and consulates work closely with their host-country counterparts to ensure coordination on important programs, such as this SIV program, the final decision about whom to admit into a country rests with the government of that country. If you have difficulty entering another country for your visa interview, you should remain in close contact with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to which your case has been assigned.

No. Under this particular program, there is no immigrant visa application fee. You are required to pay all costs associated with the medical examination.

At the conclusion of your interview, the consular officer will let you know if there are any problems with your case that might prevent issuance of a visa, or if there is missing documentation that you need to provide. However, even if your visa interview is successful, you will not receive your visa on the same day. All SIV cases require additional administrative processing after the interview.

Yes. Afghan SIV recipients are eligible for the same resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and other benefits as refugees admitted under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Resettlement assistance is available under section 602(b) of Division F, Title VI, of the Omnibus Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009, Public Law 111-8 to Afghans who are admitted to the United States on Special Immigrant Visas, for a period not to exceed eight months. For more information about the relevant U.S. law, see References - U.S. Laws, number 7.

The U.S. Department of State’s Reception and Placement (R&P) Program covers only your first 30-90 days in the United States.

You must complete a separate form for each family member and return it to NVC at NVCSIV@state.gov or the RPC at SIV@wrapsnet.org. NVC will provide you with the Special Immigrant Visa Biodata Form (DS-0234) (PDF - 312 KB) ;as part of the visa application packet. This form can also be found on the Refugee Processing Center’s (RPC) website.

These are the options that will influence where you will be placed in the United States.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) will prepare your travel loan and arrange your travel to the United States after your visa has been issued, if you elected to receive travel and resettlement assistance from the Department of State by submitting scanned, signed copies of the Refugee Benefits Election Form (PDF - 56 KB) and the Special Immigrant Visa Biodata Form (DS-0234) (PDF - 312 KB) to the NVC or the RPC. This interest-free travel loan is a benefit provided through the U.S. Department of State’s Reception and Placement (R&P) Program, for which you must apply while you are still overseas. Additional information about Department of State-funded benefits can be found here.

Under certain circumstances, we understand you may not have time to declare your intention to participate in the R&P Program while still overseas. If you elect to arrange your own flight, you may still be eligible for Department of State resettlement benefits or benefits funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement (HHS/ORR). To determine if you qualify, please contact a resettlement affiliate as soon as possible after your arrival in the United States as your eligibility is time-limited. We recommend you contact a resettlement affiliate within 30 days after your arrival. The list of resettlement affiliates can be found on http://www.wrapsnet.org/ or click here.

You should NOT sell property and/or give up employment until the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General has issued a visa and the Refugee Processing Center has referred your case to IOM for travel arrangements.

If you choose to receive Department of State-funded Reception and Placement (R&P) services, you must fill out and return scanned copies of the Refugee Benefits Election Form (PDF - 56 KB), the Special Immigrant Visa Biodata Form (DS-0234) (PDF - 312 KB), and of your visa, after it has been issued, to NVC or the RPC while still overseas. Once you submit the copy of your issued visa, your case will be assigned to a resettlement agency before you depart for the United States. Prior to departure, the entity responsible for processing your case for R&P benefits - either a Resettlement Support Center (RSC) or the RPC - will provide you with an Assurance Form indicating your final destination in the United States and the resettlement agency that will provide services to you upon your arrival.

If you meet the eligibility criteria of the SIV Program, you may apply for an SIV even if you are already registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and/or have an application pending with the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).

If you decline to receive Department of State-funded resettlement benefits, you may still be eligible to receive benefits funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement (HHS/ORR). ORR-funded benefits are administered by states and are available through state benefit-granting agencies. After arrival in the United States, you may apply for these benefits in the state in which you reside. SIV recipients who elect to participate in the U.S. Department of State R&P Program will be assisted in applying for ORR-funded benefits by the resettlement agency providing their R&P services. If you do not elect to participate in the Department of State’s R&P Program, you must apply for these benefits on your own by contacting the State Refugee Coordinator in the state in which you live.

As an SIV recipient, you will have Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status upon admission into the United States. Once you are admitted to the United States you will be mailed your Permanent Resident Card (also known as Green Card). You are normally eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship after residing for five (5) years in the United States. For more information, see naturalization information on the USCIS website.