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. ...
- Afghans who work or worked for a U.S. ...
- Afghans who are or were employed in Afghanistan by a U.S.-based media organization or non-governmental organization.
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.
Who is eligible for the P-2 visa 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, locally-employed staff, interpreters/translators for the U.S. Government, United States Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A), International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), or Resolute Support;
Can a P-2 visa be used for an artist?
P-2 Visa. You may be eligible to be classified as a P-2 nonimmigrant if you are coming to the United States temporarily to perform as an artist or entertainer, individually or as part of a group, who will perform under a reciprocal exchange program between an organization in the United States and an organization in another country.
What is Section 602 (B) of the Afghan allies Protection Act?
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:
What is P2 visa for?
The P2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows entertainers to enter the U.S. and perform for payment or prize money. P2 visa holders may engage in part-time study while in the United States and can even apply for additional visas for essential support personnel and/or immediate family members.
What is P1 and P2 in Afghanistan?
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.
How long does a P2 visa take?
Regular processing can take up to 90 days.
How do I apply for SIV P2?
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.
How do I get a P2 visa?
P2 Visa Requirements You must be coming to the U.S. to perform as an entertainer or an artist individually or as a member of a group under a reciprocal exchange program with a U.S. based organization. You must prove that: An exchange program exists between the U.S. organization and the foreign organization.
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 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.
Who qualifies for P2?
Afghan nationalsThe P-2 program is designed for Afghan nationals who are not eligible for a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) and unlike SIV, there is no minimum length of employment to be eligible.
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.
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.
What is P2 refugee program?
The Priority 2, or P-2, refugee program was meant to help relocate at-risk Afghans such as journalists and rights activists who were otherwise ineligible for special immigrant visas available to military interpreters.
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.
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 p1 referral?
Priority 1 (P-1) refugee cases include all cases individually identified and referred to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a U.S. embassy (see 9 FAM 203.4-2), or a non-governmental organization (see paragraph d below).
Eligibility
You may be eligible to be classified as a P-2 nonimmigrant if you are coming to the United States temporarily to perform as an artist or entertainer, individually or as part of a group, who will perform under a reciprocal exchange program between an organization in the United States and an organization in another country.
After You File
Once we receive your form, your employer, agent or sponsor will receive a:
How to qualify for a P-2 visa?
To qualify for P-2 visa, you must be coming temporarily to the U.S. to perform as an entertainer or artist. You may be coming as: 1 Part of a group, or 2 Individually as part of a reciprocal exchange
What is a P-2 statement?
A statement from the sponsoring organization describing the reciprocal exchange of U.S. artists or entertainers as it relates to the specific petition for which P-2 classification is being sought
Can dependents work on a P-4 visa?
No, your dependents may not work on P-4 visa. They may not be employed or receive compensation from any U.S. source
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.