How do I apply for SIV?
Special Immigrant Visa Application ProcessOverview.Step 1 - Collect Chief of Mission Documents.Step 2 - Scan Collected Documents.Step 3 - Submit Documents.Step 4 - Receive Decision.Step 5 - Submit Petition.Step 6 - NVC Processing.Step 7 - Complete Online Visa Application (DS-260)More items...
Who is eligible to apply for SIV?
SIVs are available to individuals who have worked as translators, interpreters, or other professionals employed by or on behalf of the United States government in Afghanistan or Iraq. Those who are eligible for these visas and their dependents can apply through one of two SIV programs.
How long does SIV process take?
SIV applications usually move through a lengthy 14-step application process, which requires specific criteria to be met. The process, including decision-making and approval, takes an average of three years. The applicant must receive the visa before entering the United States.
What documents are needed for SIV interview?
Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants: SIV applicants should also bring these additional documents to the visa interview: A copy of your Chief of Mission (COM) approval letter. Copies of your recommendation letter, employment verification letter, and U.S. Government badge/I.D.
What is the process of SIV?
SIV applications move through 14 steps, in the following four stages: the Chief of Mission (COM) application process; Form I-360 petition adjudication by the Department of Homeland Security; visa interview and security screening; and final visa adjudication (issuance or denial).
Is SIV a green card?
Religious workers are eligible for an SIV green card or lawful permanent residency in the United States. They apply for a special immigrant religious worker visa.
Can we apply for SIV without recommendation letter?
According to the Director of the State Department's Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Unit, “[a]s of December 21, 2021, the Department ceased requiring that the letter of recommendation in support of the COM application be submitted by a U.S. citizen supervisor or co-signed by a U.S. citizen.” This means that SIV ...
How do I get a SIV case in Afghanistan?
To apply for Chief of Mission (COM) approval for the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, you must have access to email; have the ability to scan and save all of the required documents from the list as PDF files; and be able to submit these documents via email.
Can I transfer my SIV case to another country?
The SIV interview and cases can only be transferred to a U.S. embassy that processes Immigrant Visa (IV).
How can I pass my visa interview?
The tips below are intended to help you prepare for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate in your home country.Ties to Home Country. ... English. ... Speak for Yourself. ... Know the Program and How it Fits Your Career Plans. ... Be Concise. ... Supplemental Documentation. ... Not All Countries Are Equal. ... Employment.More items...
Can I add my mother to my SIV case?
No, unfortunately, only spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old can be added in the SIV case. Parents, brothers or sisters can not be included in the SIV case.
Is NVC scheduling interviews for 2022?
While in May 2022, NVC reported 421,136 eligible immigrant visa applicants still pending the scheduling of an interview after May 2022 appointment scheduling was completed, resulting in a growing backlog of 5,350 immigrant visa cases in June.
Who qualifies for a Special Immigrant Visa?
This Special Immigrant Visa program is available to persons who worked with the U.S. Armed Forces or under Chief of Mission authority as a translator or interpreter in Iraq or Afghanistan. This program, which offers visas to up to fifty persons a year, remains active.
Can I apply for SIV and asylum at the same time?
Can I apply for SIV adjustment of status and asylum at the same time? While it is legally possible to apply for both, you should talk with an immigration attorney about your specific situation.
What are SIV benefits?
You may be eligible for cash assistance, medical assistance, employment preparation, job placement, English language training, and other services offered through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).
How long does SIV process take 2021?
Administrative processing (Step 13) often involves rigorous background checks, which are essential to the integrity of the SIV program and U.S. national security. This processing may take anywhere from less than 30 days to over a year, depending on the applicant's background.
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.
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.
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.
How long has the SIV been awaiting government action?
On February 5, 2020, the district court certified a class that consists of all people (1) who applied for an Afghan or Iraqi SIV by submitting an application for Chief of Mission (“COM”) approval and (2) whose applications have been awaiting government action for longer than nine months.
What is the National Defense Authorization Act?
This law, signed on December 12, 2017, authorizes the issuance of 3,500 additional visas to Afghan principal applicants with no end date by which they must be issued.
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 .
Where to send copies of US visa?
After getting visa issued, send copies of the US visa page for each person in the case to: [email protected]
How long does it take to get a visa interview?
Depending on many factors such as embassy schedule, rush, and your documentation, you should expect your interview to be scheduled within several weeks to several months after submitting the DS-260 application. It is very important to wait patiently for your visa interview. Please do not compare your case with other people’s case, not everyone gets processed at the same time and same speed even if applied together.
Do I need a copy of my i360 form?
Save a copy of your i-360 form. You will need it for the visa interview.
How to pay USCIS lockbox fee?
When filing at a USCIS lockbox facility, you may also pay by credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. If you pay by check, you must make your check payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
How long after spouse dies do you have to file I-360?
You must still file your Form I-360 no later than two years after your spouse’s death. Your eligibility for classification as the widow (er) of a U.S. citizen based on a Form I-360 that you file after your citizen spouse died ends if you remarry before you immigrate or adjust status.
What is the I-360 form?
I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow (er), or Special Immigrant. Use this form to classify an alien as: An Amerasian (born after Dec. 31, 1950, and before Oct. 23, 1982); A self-petitioning spouse or child of an abusive U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident under VAWA;
What is a box 1 on a VAWA form?
A self-petitioning abused parent of a U.S. citizen under VAWA ( Box 1.K. on the form); A Special Immigrant Juveniles ( Box 1.C. on the form); An Iraqi national who worked for or on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraq ( Box 1.L. or Box 1.M. on the form); or.
What is a special immigrant?
A self-petitioning spouse or child of an abusive U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident under VAWA; A self-petitioning parent of an abusive U.S. citizen under VAWA; or. A special immigrant. We define a special immigrant as one of the following:
What is a Panama Canal employee?
Panama Canal company employee, Canal Zone government employee, or U.S. government in the Canal Zone employee; Physician licensed and practicing medicine in a U.S. state as of Jan. 9, 1978; International organization or NATO-6 employee or family member;
Why do juveniles need protection?
Juvenile who needs the protection of a juvenile court because they have been abused, neglected or abandoned by a parent;
What form do I file if I am not on a visa?
If we approve your Form I-360 but you did not enter the United States on this special immigrant visa, you must file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to obtain a Green Card through adjustment of status.
When is the I-360 filing date?
Submitted Form I-360 petitions that are pending or were issued a notice of approval [that is, whose Form I-360 Filing Date is earlier than May 21, 2020]; or
How to get a green card for an Afghan?
government, whether you live inside or outside the United States, you must first file Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow (er), or Special Immigrant . For more information, see our Form I-360 page.
Where do I forward I-360?
If we approve your Form I-360, we will forward the approved petition to the Department of State for consular processing of the special immigrant visa. For more information on getting a special immigrant visa overseas, see the Consular Processing page.
Do I need to complete an I-485 for each family member?
Complete a separate Form I-485 for each family member applying to adjust status.
Can you adjust to lawful permanent resident status if you are inadmissible?
If you are inadmissible to the United States, you cannot adjust to lawful permanent resident status. You can find the grounds of inadmissibility listed in INA 212 (a).
Step 1 – Applying For Com Approval
- Following items are required for Chief Of Mission (COM) approval: 1. Two year employment verification (HR) letter. Employment Verification (HR) Sample Letter 2. Recommendation letter from direct US citizen supervisor. SIV Recommendation Letter Sample 3. Threat statement letter giving full details about threats experienced and received. Threat State...
Step 2 – Filling I-360 Petition with USCIS
- Congratulations! After receiving Chief of Mission (COM) approval, you will be required to submit I-360 petition application. Following items are required for submitting I-360 petition to USCIS: 1. A completed form i-360 petition for Special Immigrant. [ Watch i-360 tutorial video] 2. A copy of Afghan electronic passport. Make sure it is not expired. 3. A copy of the letter of recommendatio…
Step 3 – Prepare For The Visa Application
- Congratulations for getting Conditional (CON) Approval. You are now required to submit the DS-260 application for your immigrant visa interview. The following documents are required to submit for visa interview: 1. DS-260 form. [ DS-260 tutorial video] 2. A copy of Afghan electronic passport for each person in the case including children. 3. Scanned copies of these documents: 3.1. Afgh…
Step 4 – The Visa Interview
- Congratulations on getting visa interview scheduled! Learn how the visa interview process works. Watch the video about visa interview process in Kabul embassy. The following documents are generally required*during your visa interview process: 1. Unexpired Afghan electronic passport for each person, including children. 2. Any military badge or ID card (if available) 3. Company, Cam…
Step 5 – Arrival in The United States
- Congratulations for getting visa issued! Following is general advice and instruction for arrival preparations to USA: 1. If you want to apply for refugee benefits and IOM flight: Do not wait to get visa issued. Apply for the refugee benefits/IOM flight after your embassy interview! 1. Watch the Refugee Benefit Tutorial video 2. After watching the tutorial video, submit one “Refugee Benefit…