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SQ — Afghan Special Immigrant
United StatesUnited States•North America
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SQ — Afghan Special Immigrant

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

1.8–2.9 years

Varies by processing route

Estimated Cost

Not confirmed

No fee (application processing fee waived; COM application free)
Stay Duration

Indefinite

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote work OK

Official Information
United States flag

Living in United States

Cost of Living
Baseline
Avg Salary$52,000
Quality of Life
185/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

Afghan nationals who worked as translators/interpreters or were employed by the U.S. government or ISAF in Afghanistan.

747 chars — 3 paragraphs (276/310/157) per skill hard caps

United States

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Cost Breakdown

COM application feeUSD $0
Immigrant visa application processing fee (DS-260)USD $0
Medical examination (self-relocated applicants only)—

Processing Time

Track 11.8 years
Track 22.9 years

Stay & Extensions

Status typePermanent / indefinite

Annual Cap & Quota

Cumulative cap of ~50,500 principal applicant visas since 2014; approximately 5,900 numbers remaining as of early 2026

Eligible Nationalities (1)

AfghanistanAfghanistan

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Afghan citizen or national

Worked for the US government or ISAF/Resolute Support for at least 12 months between October 7, 2001 and December 31, 2024

Faithful and valuable service demonstrated via supervisor recommendation letter

COM application submitted by December 31, 2025, with all supporting documentation submitted by June 5, 2026

Admissible to the US for LPR status, or qualifying for inadmissibility waiver

Must be outside Afghanistan for interview at a US embassy or consulate

KEY CRITERIA

Experience

1+ years

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

DS-157 (Petition for Special Immigrant Classification)

HR employment letter from US government employer

Letter of recommendation from supervisor or chain of command

Evidence of Afghan nationality

Valid passport (biographical page)

Birth certificate or tazkera with certified English translation

Marriage/divorce certificates (if applicable)

Police certificates (if lived outside Afghanistan 12+ months since age 16)

Refugee Benefits Election Form

DS-0234 Special Immigrant Visa Biodata Form

Two recent passport-style photos

Certified English translations for all non-English documents

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Grants immediate Lawful Permanent Resident status upon admission
  • Automatic work authorization as LPR — no separate filing required
  • Derivative beneficiaries (spouse and unmarried children under 21) may accompany or follow to join
  • No application or visa processing fee
  • Path to US citizenship after 5 years of LPR status (3 years if married to a US citizen)

Worth Knowing

  • Visa issuance and US entry suspended under Presidential Proclamation 10998 (effective January 1, 2026) for Afghan nationals
  • COM application deadline was December 31, 2025 — no new applications are accepted
  • Supporting documentation deadline for pipeline applicants: June 5, 2026
  • Approximately 5,900 visa numbers remain against ~33,883 approved principal applicants in the pipeline — severe shortage
  • February 2026 federal court order mandates processing of pipeline cases but does not compel visa issuance or entry
  • National Interest Exceptions (granted by Secretary of State or DHS) are available but rare
  • H.R. 6443, which would cancel all unadjudicated applications, is pending in Congress as of 2026
  • Self-relocated applicants are responsible for medical examination costs

Application Process

1

Submit COM application by email to AfghanSIVApplication@state.gov (deadline was December 31, 2025)

2

Submit all supporting documentation for the COM application by June 5, 2026

3

Receive COM approval — denials may be appealed within 120 days

4

Complete DS-260 online immigrant visa application via CEAC portal

5

Submit supporting documents to NVCSIV@state.gov

6

Schedule and attend in-person interview at a US embassy or consulate

7

Complete medical examination (required for self-relocated applicants after interview scheduling)

8

Await visa issuance — currently restricted under Proclamation 10998

Application Forms

DS-157
Petition for Special Immigrant Classification for Afghan SIV Applicant
Fill online
DS-260
Online Immigrant Visa Application
Fill online

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