ImmigrantSpecial immigrantNationality-specificNumerical limitNo visa fee

SIV Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrant Visas

Immigrant visas for Afghans and Iraqis who worked for or on behalf of the U.S. government, and for Afghan and Iraqi translators and interpreters.

Last reviewed Oct 1, 2026Sources: Department of StateReport an error

At a glance

Afghan COM application deadline: December 31, 2025 (closed)
Afghan visas remaining: 5,978 principals (as of March 31, 2026)
Iraqi program: Closed to new applicants since September 30, 2014
Iraqi visas remaining: 212 principals (as of March 31, 2026)
Translator program: Up to 50 visas a year; active
Visa and petition fees: $0 for these Afghan and Iraqi SIVs

Afghan SIVs suspended under Proclamation 10998. Since January 1, 2026, visa issuance to nationals of Afghanistan is fully suspended, and the Afghan SIV exception that existed under Proclamation 10949 is no longer available. Applicants may still apply and interview but may be ineligible for issuance; case-by-case national-interest exceptions are possible (State notice). Iraq is not listed in the proclamation.

Overview

Three related programs lead to permanent residence. The Afghan SIV program (Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009, as amended) covers Afghans employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government or by ISAF/Resolute Support; its cases, like Iraqi section 1244 cases, receive the SQ classification. The Iraqi SIV program (Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act of 2007, section 1244) covers Iraqis employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraq. A third program (section 1059 of the FY 2006 NDAA) covers Iraqi and Afghan translators and interpreters, classified SI (22 CFR 42.11).

The Afghan program’s last extension (Pub. L. 118-47, March 23, 2024) added 12,000 visas and set a December 31, 2025 deadline to apply for Chief of Mission (COM) approval; missing documents had to be submitted by June 5, 2026 (State). State’s Q2 FY 2026 report lists 44,522 Afghan SIV numbers used and 5,978 remaining for principals as of March 31, 2026, with one principal and two derivatives issued that quarter.

The Iraqi program has been closed to new applicants since the September 30, 2014 COM deadline; up to 2,500 principal visas could be issued after January 1, 2014 and 212 remained as of March 31, 2026 (Q2 FY 2026 report). That report notes U.S. Embassy Baghdad suspended routine consular services on February 28, 2026. The translator program offers up to 50 visas a year and remains active.

Who qualifies

Afghan SIV (employment-based)

Afghan citizen or national
At least 12 months of employment in Afghanistan between October 7, 2001 and December 31, 2024, by or on behalf of the U.S. government or directly by ISAF/Resolute Support
Faithful and valuable service documented in a letter of recommendation from a supervisor
Chief of Mission approval (new applications closed December 31, 2025)

Iraqi SIV (employment-based)

Iraqi national employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraq for at least one year between March 20, 2003 and September 30, 2013
Faithful and valuable service documented by a supervisor’s recommendation, and an ongoing serious threat as a consequence of that employment
COM approval — the application deadline was September 30, 2014

Iraqi or Afghan translator/interpreter

Iraqi or Afghan national who worked directly with the U.S. Armed Forces or under COM authority as a translator or interpreter for at least 12 months
Favorable written recommendation from a General or Flag Officer in the supported unit’s chain of command, or from the Chief of Mission
Background check and screening by the U.S. Armed Forces or the COM

Duration & extensions

Status granted	Lawful permanent residence on admission
Green card validity	Typically 10 years (USCIS M-274)
If visa numbers run out	NVC holds approved Afghan cases unless more visas become available (State FAQ)
Path to citizenship	Generally after 5 years as a permanent resident

Fees

These programs are largely fee-exempt, per State and USCIS fee schedules on October 1, 2026.

Fee	Amount	Who pays	Notes
Form I-360 petition	$0	—	Exempt for Afghan and Iraqi U.S.-government employees and Afghan/Iraqi translators or interpreters (USCIS fee schedule).
Immigrant visa application fee (DS-260)	$0	—	“Certain Iraqi and Afghan special immigrant visa applications”: no fee (State).
USCIS Immigrant Fee	$0	—	Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants are exempt.
Form I-485 (adjustment in the U.S.)	$0	—	Exempt for these Afghan and Iraqi categories and derivatives (USCIS).

Medical exam costs are set by panel physicians. State’s translator-program page still mentions “payment for filing the petition”; the current USCIS fee schedule lists $0 for Afghan and Iraqi translators and interpreters.

Processing time

Afghan principals remaining: 5,978; As of March 31, 2026 (State Q2 FY 2026 report).
Iraqi principals remaining: 212; As of March 31, 2026 (State Q2 FY 2026 report).
Translator program: 50 per year; Statutory annual limit since FY 2009.

State’s quarterly reports say COM processing for Afghan cases was paused after an attack on two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., and resumed on a limited basis in late January 2026. Processing times vary by case.

Application steps

1
Chief of Mission approval (employment programs)
Afghan and Iraqi employment-based applicants first needed COM approval. New Afghan applications closed December 31, 2025 and Iraqi applications September 30, 2014; COM denials may be appealed once within 120 days.
2
File Form I-360 with USCIS
With COM approval (or, for translators, the General/Flag Officer or COM recommendation), file Form I-360 at no cost.
3
National Visa Center processing
After I-360 approval, NVC creates the case; each applicant completes Form DS-260 and submits civil documents by email to NVC.
4
Interview outside Afghanistan or Iraq
U.S. Embassy Kabul suspended operations on August 31, 2021; Afghan applicants interview at another post. Iraqi applicants may also need to interview outside Iraq.
5
Issuance and travel
If issued, the SIV holder is admitted as a permanent resident. Afghan nationals are currently subject to the Proclamation 10998 suspension unless an exception applies.

Required documents

Typical requirements

COM approval letter (employment programs) or General/Flag Officer or COM recommendation (translators)
Proof of nationality (passport, national ID or tazkera, with certified English translation)
Employment verification and supervisor’s letter of recommendation
Passport biodata pages, birth and marriage documents for each family member
Police certificates where required; Form DS-0234 biodata form and the Refugee Benefits Election Form for each family member

Dependents & family

The principal’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 may receive derivative SIVs. Under Pub. L. 117-31 (July 30, 2021), surviving spouses and children of Iraqi principals who had applied for COM approval can also qualify; the I-360 and fee exemptions extend to surviving spouses and children of deceased Afghan and Iraqi principals (USCIS fee schedule).

After you arrive

SIV holders become lawful permanent residents when admitted, and may elect resettlement benefits similar to refugees (applicants submit a Refugee Benefits Election Form to NVC).

Step 1

Green card delivery

No USCIS Immigrant Fee is due for Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants; the card is mailed after admission.

Step 2

Naturalization

Most permanent residents may apply for citizenship after five years of continuous residence, with physical presence for at least half that time.

EB-4

Special immigrants

The broader special-immigrant preference, including other SIV types.

TPS

Temporary Protected Status

Humanitarian status for nationals of designated countries.

SB-1

Returning resident

For permanent residents stuck abroad over a year.

Diversity Visa

Lottery-based immigrant visa.

Common questions

Can Afghans still apply for an SIV?

Not as new applicants: the COM application deadline was December 31, 2025, and missing documents were due by June 5, 2026. Pending applicants may continue, but Afghan nationals are subject to the Proclamation 10998 suspension unless an exception applies (State).

How many Afghan SIVs are left?

5,978 for principal applicants as of March 31, 2026, according to State’s Q2 FY 2026 quarterly report; the figure is preliminary.

Is the Iraqi SIV program still open?

Only for people who applied for COM approval by September 30, 2014. As of March 31, 2026, 212 principal visas remained. The translator/interpreter program (50 a year) remains active for Iraqis and Afghans.

Do SIV applicants pay fees?

Not for the I-360, the immigrant visa application, the USCIS Immigrant Fee or Form I-485 in these Afghan and Iraqi categories, per current State and USCIS fee schedules.

Official sources

Recent changes

Aug 21, 2026
75-country immigrant visa pause no longer in effect. Under the court’s order in CLINIC et al. v. Rubio, et al., State says the January 2026 pause on immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 countries ended as of August 21, 2026. Source ↗
Jun 5, 2026
Court vacates USCIS benefit holds for “high-risk” country nationals. In Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island v. USCIS, the court vacated PM-602-0192, PM-602-0194 and PA-2025-26, which had held pending USCIS benefit requests from nationals of listed countries. USCIS says it is complying pending further review. Source ↗
Jun 5, 2026
Final deadline for Afghan COM documents. Last day to submit missing documents for Afghan COM applications filed by the December 31, 2025 deadline. Source ↗
Feb 28, 2026
Embassy Baghdad suspends routine consular services. State’s Iraqi SIV report for Q2 FY 2026 says routine consular services in Baghdad were suspended after hostilities began in the region; the mission went on ordered departure March 2. Source ↗
Jan 21, 2026
Immigrant visa issuance paused for nationals of 75 countries. State paused all immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 listed countries, citing public-benefits concerns. Interviews continued, but visas were not issued. The pause ended August 21, 2026 under a court order. Source ↗
Jan 1, 2026
Afghan SIV exception removed. Proclamation 10998 fully suspended visa issuance to nationals of Afghanistan and ended the categorical Afghan SIV exception that had applied under Proclamation 10949. Source ↗
Dec 31, 2025
Afghan COM application deadline. Deadline for new Afghan SIV COM applications and reapplications under Pub. L. 118-47. Source ↗
Mar 23, 2024
12,000 more Afghan SIVs. Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Pub. L. 118-47, sec. 7034(d)(9)) added 12,000 Afghan SIVs and extended the program through December 31, 2025. Source ↗

This page is general reference material compiled from the official sources above and is not legal advice. Eligibility depends on individual facts; rules and fees change, so confirm with the agency before you file. VisaTypes.com is not affiliated with USCIS, the Department of State or any government agency. Spotted an error? Tell us.