What is the P-2 designation for Afghanistan?
Today, the Department of State is announcing a Priority 2 (P-2) designation granting U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) access for certain Afghan nationals and their eligible family members. The U.S. objective remains a peaceful, secure Afghanistan.
How to apply for a P-2 visa for a non-immigrant worker?
In order for an alien to qualify for a P-2 Visa, a sponsoring labor organization in the United States or U.S. employer must file Form I-129, Petition for a Non-Immigrant Worker. Also, a petitioner who will be filing as an agent for multiple employers must establish that it is duly authorized to act as an agent.
Who is eligible for the P-2 program?
Individuals Eligible for the P-2 Program: Afghans who do not meet the minimum time-in-service for a SIV but who work or worked as employees of contractors, [ 1 ] locally-employed staff, interpreters/translators for the U.S. Government, United States Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A), International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), or Resolute Support;
What is a P-2 visa for artists?
The P-2 visa is available to an artist or entertainer, either individually or as part of a group, who come to United States to perform a reciprocal exchange program between the United States and a foreign country. The essential support personnel can also be included. The P-2 applicant should prove a formal and written exchange agreement.
How do I apply for a P2 visa?
Applying For The P2 Visa You cannot apply for a P2 visa as an individual. A U.S. employer has to sponsor your P2 visa. Your employer must file USCIS Form I-129, petition for a nonimmigrant worker with O/P supplement and supporting documentation with the USCIS.
Who is eligible for P2?
The Priority 2 (P2) program are for Afghans who may be at risk due to their U.S. affiliation but who are not eligible for a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) because they did not have qualifying employment, or because they have not met the time-in-service requirement to become eligible.
How do I get a P-2 SIV?
Call the Department of State SIV Hotline: 1-888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444. The first prompt is for U.S. Citizens. Wait until it finishes the recording, then the second prompt will start.
What is P2 refugee visa?
The P1 and P2 (or priority 1 and priority 2 programs) are ways that some Afghan citizens can be considered for resettlement as a refugee to the United States. Afghan citizens cannot apply directly for refugee resettlement to the United States. Their U.S.-based family members, friends, or lawyers also cannot refer them.
Can I apply for P2 from Afghanistan?
Current and former Afghan nationals who worked with us on U.S. funded programs may be eligible for Special Immigration Visa (SIV) or the Priority-2 designation for Afghan Nationals (P2) program.
Where can I apply for P2 in Afghanistan?
To manage the P-2 program for Afghan nationals, the State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) created a USRAP Afghan Referrals Workgroup comprised of federal agencies to refer individuals directly to the USRAP.
How long does a P2 visa take?
Regular processing can take up to 90 days.
How much is a P2 visa?
$460 USDAs of summer 2020, the fee for applying for a P2 Visa is $460 USD, plus a $120 CAD fee to AFM Canada for administration costs. An additional $25 fee is applied for each additional musician in a group.
What is difference between P2 and SIV?
The goal of the P2 program is to expand access beyond the SIV program to those whom the State Department has designated as eligible “by virtue of their circumstances and apparent need for resettlement.” To qualify for P2 status, however, Afghans must get themselves out of Afghanistan, as the U.S. cannot start ...
What is P2 referral form?
The Afghan P-2 designation. permits U.S. government agencies, U.S.-based NGOs, and U.S.-based media organizations to. refer Afghans (and family members: spouse and children of any age, whether married or.
What is the difference between P1 and P2 visa?
P2 is a variation of the P1 visa, and is designed for artists and entertainers who are engaged in reciprocal cultural exchange programs.
How can I get someone out of Afghanistan?
U.S. citizens seeking assistance to depart Afghanistan should utilize this link: Repatriation Assistance Request or in an emergency, call 1-888-407-4747 (U.S. and Canada) or +1-202-501-4444 (overseas).
What is the difference between P1 and P2 visa?
P2 is a variation of the P1 visa, and is designed for artists and entertainers who are engaged in reciprocal cultural exchange programs.
How long does a P2 visa take?
Regular processing can take up to 90 days.
How much does a P2 visa cost?
$460 USDAs of summer 2020, the fee for applying for a P2 Visa is $460 USD, plus a $120 CAD fee to AFM Canada for administration costs. An additional $25 fee is applied for each additional musician in a group.
What is P2 referral form?
The Afghan P-2 designation. permits U.S. government agencies, U.S.-based NGOs, and U.S.-based media organizations to. refer Afghans (and family members: spouse and children of any age, whether married or.
What is P-3S classification?
The P-3S classification is for highly skilled essential support personnel who are an integral part of the successful performance of a P-3 entertainment group.
How to file an I-129?
Your employer, agent or sponsor must: 1 Read the instructions for Form I-129, Petition for Non-Immigrant Worker; 2 Complete and sign Form I-129; 3 Pay filing fee (s) if applicable; and 4 Provide all required evidence and supporting documentation.
How many additional visas are there for the Afghan SIV program?
This law, signed on February 15, 2019, amends the Afghan SIV program by adding 4,000 additional visas, conditioned on the development and implementation of a prioritization process for Afghan special immigrant visas and the submission of three reports to the appropriate congressional committees. 5.
When will the Afghan SIV program be extended?
This law, signed on December 20, 2019, amends the Afghan SIV program by adding 4,000 additional visas and extending the program through December 31, 2021. Congress also amended the requirements for the type of employment that would qualify a principal alien under this program.
What happens if a visa is approved?
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (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 the National Visa Center (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.
What is the waiver for SIV in Afghanistan?
117-31, enacted July 30, 2021, gave the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security the authority to issue a joint blanket waiver of the requirement that SIV applicants undergo a medical exam before being issued an immigrant visa or admitted to the United States. Such waiver is applicable to Afghan SIV applicants in Afghanistan who have met all requirements for SIV issuance except the medical exam if and when the U.S. Chief of Mission at Embassy Kabul determines that Afghan SIV applicants are no longer able to obtain the medical exam without undue hardship or risk to personal safety. The Chief of Mission made this determination on August 13, 2021. The medical waiver is applicable to Afghan SIV applicants who meet the requirements outlined above. Applicants granted a medical waiver are required to complete a medical exam in the United States not later than 30 days after admission into the United States.
What is Section 602 B?
Section 602 (b) of the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009, as amended, is a special immigrant program, which authorizes the issuance of Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) to Afghan nationals who meet certain requirements and who were employed in Afghanistan: by or on behalf of the U.S. government in Afghanistan, or.
How long does it take to get a visa if an alien fails to apply?
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 203 (g) provides that the Secretary of State shall terminate the registration (petition) of any alien who fails to apply for an immigrant visa within one year of notice of visa availability .
Can Afghans get resettlement assistance?
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.
