PATHWAYS FOR RESETTLEMENT TO THE UNITED STATES: U.S. ALLIED IRAQIS AND AFGHANS

Special Immigrant Visa Program for Both Iraqi and Afghan Translators and Interpreters

What is this program?
Under section 1059 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, Public Law 109-163, up to 50 Iraqi and Afghan translators working as translators or interpreters for the U.S. military are eligible for special immigrant visas (SIVs). In Fiscal Year 2007 and 2008, 500 SIVs under this program were available, but since 2009 only 50 SIVs are available for translators or interpreters who are nationals of either Iraq or Afghanistan.

Who is eligible to apply for an SIV under this program?

• Must be a national of either Iraq or Afghanistan
• Must have worked directly with the U.S. Armed Forces or under Chief of Mission authority as a translator or interpreter for a period of at least 12 months.
• Must obtain a written letter of recommendation from an American supervisor, who has direct contact with the SIV applicant, or from the Chief of Mission.
• Must clear a background check and screening as determined by an Officer or American supervisor in the chain of command of the U.S. Armed Forces unit that was supported by the translator, or by the Chief of Mission.
• Must be otherwise eligible to receive an immigrant visa and be otherwise admissible to the U.S. for permanent residence.

Is there a fee?
Yes, for this program the principle applicant must pay a filing fee of $375.00.

For more information, and to learn how to start an SIV application under this program: please click here or
USCIS Fact Sheet on Iraqi/Afghan SIV Applicants: please click here

Special Immigrant Visa Program Solely for U.S. Affiliated Iraqis

What is this program?
The Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, Public Law 110-181, was signed into law on January 28, 2008. Section 1244 of this legislation, entitled “Special Immigrant Status for Certain Iraqis”, and it authorized 5,000 special immigrant visas annually for Iraqi employees and contractors for fiscal years 2008 through 2012.

Who is eligible to apply for an SIV under this program?

• Must be a national of Iraq.
• Must have been employed by, or on behalf of the United States Government in Iraq, on or after March 20, 2003, for a period of not less than one year;
• Must have provided faithful and valuable service to the United States Government, which is documented in a letter of recommendation from the employee’s supervisor that is approved by the Chief of Mission (COM);
• Must have experienced or be experiencing an ongoing serious threat as a consequence of the employment by the United States Government, as determined through a risk assessment conducted by the Chief of Mission (COM) or the designee of the COM;
• Must be able to clear a background check and appropriate screening as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security(DHS); and
• Must be otherwise eligible to receive an immigrant visa and otherwise admissible to the United States for permanent residence.

Is there a fee?
No, for this program there is no filing fee.

For more information, and to learn how to start an SIV application under this program: please click here or
USCIS Fact Sheet on Iraqi SIV Applicants: please click here

Special Immigrant Visa Program Solely for U.S. Affiliated Afghans

What is this program?
The Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009, Section 602(b) of Division F, Title IV, of the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009, Public Law 111-8, authorizes 1,500 special immigrant visas annually for Afghan employees and contractors for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 who have been employed by or on behalf of the United States Government in Afghanistan on or after October 7, 2001, for a period of not less than one year, and who have experienced or are experiencing an ongoing serious threat as a consequence of that employment.

This new program has not yet been implemented. Please check back for more information on this program, as it develops.

For more information, you can also check the following website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_4495.html