. Our Information for Afghan Nationals webpage offers complete information on what you need to do as a parolee. In addition, all Afghan refugees and asylum-seekers located in third countries should register with the nearest United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office. Release Date: June 14, 2022 . If you did not complete Form I-485 at a U.S. government reception center or safe haven, we encourage you to file Form I-485 as soon as possible to apply to become a lawful permanent resident and get a Green Card. Since July 2021, USCIS has received over 46,000 applications from Afghans hoping to come to the U.S. through the parole process. The SIV program has faced massive backlog and processing can take months, if not years for some. Afghan citizens or nationals who already started the SIV application process and received COM approval on or before July 20, 2022, must still file a Form I-360 with USCIS on their own behalf. Lawful Immigration Pathways for Eligible Afghan Nationals Residing in the U.S. Lawful Immigration Pathways for Eligible Afghan Nationals Residing in the U.S. (Pashto), Lawful Immigration Pathways for Eligible Afghan Nationals Residing in the U.S. (Dari), OAW SIV Classification Welcome Center Flyer, OAW SIV Classification Welcome Center Flyer (Pashto), OAW SIV Classification Welcome Center Flyer (Dari), Information Sheet for Afghan Parole into the United States, Information Sheet for Afghan Parole into the United States (Dari), Information Sheet for Afghan Parole into the United States (Pashto), Employment Information Regarding Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Holders and Parolees, Once Form I-360 is approved, file Form I-485, Completed Form I-765 at a safe haven, and USCIS mailed your EAD but you have not received it, Need to correct or update your mailing address to receive your EAD, Need to report non-delivery or non-receipt of your mailed EAD, Were admitted into the CBPas a lawful permanent resident, Were paroled into the United States by CBP and subsequently classified as an Afghan Special Immigrant. CNN There are tens of thousands of Afghans who have applied for Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) whose applications are still being processed nearly a year after the botched US withdrawal from. If you are outside the United States, call 212-620-3418 or check yourCase Status Online. Applying for any other immigration benefit or protection for which you may be eligible. If your application is approved, USCIS will mail your green card to you shortly after your adjustment of status interview. We encourage you to apply for a Social Security number (SSN) using Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and following the form instructions. Afghan nationals and their families relocated to the United States are made up of distinct groups: For information about the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) process for Afghan nationals employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government or the International Security Assistance Force, known as ISAF, see theGreen Card for an Afghan National Who Was Employed by or on Behalf of the U.S. Governmentwebpage. If you are applying for a Green Card after you wereparoled into the United States due to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and you are an Afghan national or derivative family member (spouse or unmarried child younger than 21) with an approvedForm I-360 from USCIS or an approved Form DS-157 from DOS, follow the instructions below to submitForm I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. USCIS will never ask you to transfer money to an individual or pay fees other than through your myUSCIS account. Continue to follow CDC guidelines. In the past, we relied on receiving these paper packets to issue Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards). Include your most recent date of entry in the Date field on page 1 of Form I-589, Part A.I., Question 19c. In a report ( PDF) late last month, DHS said more than 36,400 Afghan refugees do not qualify for the special immigrant visa (SIV) programme designed for Afghans who worked with US forces during. No. After we receive and accept your application, we will inform you in writing if you need to attend a biometric services appointment. It may take up to 90 days from the date you made your payment to receive your permanent resident card. Do not leave anything out. Polygamous marriages are legal under Afghan law, but they are illegal in all states in the United States. Review our. because they're further along in processing, while others won't. . There is no cost to create an account, which offers a variety of features, including the ability to communicate with USCIS about your application through a secure inbox. Use the Asylum Office Locator to find your asylum office. In the meantime, we have identified specific individuals affected by the missing visa packets, and we are mailing Green Cards to the addresses we have on file for them. An Employment Authorization Document (EAD); or, Your USCIS number (A-Number) and other documents, such as your Form I-94. For more information on asylum, see the Obtaining Asylum in the United States webpage. (See Step 6 of the Parole Process section of the Humanitarian and Significant Public Benefit Parole for Individuals Outside the United States webpage.) If you already completed an immigration medical examination (either outside the United States or in the United States) and need to have conditions removed on your permanent resident status, you should request an in-person appointment to submit the documentation of your medical examination to the local USCIS office with jurisdiction over your place of residence by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833), Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. Applying for TPS does not affect your application for asylum, parole, or any other immigration benefit, and vice versa. For noncitizens who are not covered under the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (PDF), we will prioritize affirmative asylum applications within the parameters indicated on the general Affirmative Asylum Interview Scheduling webpage. One year later, the United States has yet to fulfill its moral, congressional, and court-ordered obligations to protect Afghans who remain at risk, including Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program applicants. A refugee is a person who generally is outside their home country and has experienced past persecution or has a well-founded fear of future persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Since 2015, Khan has worked on a project for the U.S. Department of Defense that helped prevent Afghan security officials from turning over U.S.-donated military equipment to enemy hands. After we review your Form I-693 to ensure a civil surgeon properly completed it and did not identify any health-related grounds of inadmissibility, we will remove the conditions on your LPR status. Suite 504 USCIS Organizations that are assisting applicants with their Form I-765 may submit bulk filings to USCIS. Please note that interview locations are subject to change. If the U.S. government can help your lawful spouse* and unmarried children under 21 depart Afghanistan, your family members will travel to a country outside the United States where they can be considered for refugee status through the U.S. You are admissible to the United States for lawful permanent residence or are eligible for a waiver of inadmissibility or other form of relief. There are changed circumstances materially affecting your eligibility for asylum or extraordinary circumstances directly related to your delay in filing an application for asylum; and. Please Note: Federal law requires every employer who recruits, refers for a fee, or hires an individual for employment in the United States to complete Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. If you are filingForm I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, and you fall into category 1 or 2 below, you should follow the instructions below to ensure expeditious processing of your Form I-589 under Section 2502(c) of the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (PDF): When you complete your Form I-589, please complete the following additional steps: If you properly complete your Form I-589 and we determine that you meet the eligibility criteria for Category 1 or 2 above, we will submit your Form I-589 for expeditious processing under Section 2502(c) of theExtending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (PDF). You must demonstrate you experienced or are experiencing an ongoing serious threat as a consequence of your employment by the U.S. government. For additional information, please see the news release. You filed the application within a reasonable period of time given those circumstances. For more information about TPS, please visit our Temporary Protected Status webpage. and Foreign Service Personnel in how to best advocate for Special Immigrant Visas for their Iraqi and Afghan Interpreters. This article provides an overview of the SIV program . Individuals should not continue to practice polygamy in the United States. If you did not either complete these medical requirements before you traveled to the United States or complete a medical exam at a U.S. government reception center or safe haven after you arrived in the United States, you must receive the required testing and vaccinations elsewhere. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Health Department Directorieswebpage lists state, local, and territorial health departments, with more information on finding a vaccination location near you. Additionally, you must clear a background check and appropriate screening, as determined by the secretary of homeland security, and must be determined eligible to receive an immigrant visa and otherwise admissible to the United States for permanent residence. If you have questions about your asylum interview, contact the asylum office with jurisdiction over your case. However, with significant backlogs in most categories and continuing staffing shortages, wait times for interviews are lengthy. You can submit it to the civil surgeon who completes your Form I-693 to show vaccinations and testing for tuberculosis (TB), if applicable. Immigration Medical Examination requirements for Afghan nationals. If you have questions or need to update your personal information with USCIS, visit the USCIS Contact Center to connect with a USCIS representative. Thousands of individuals have been referred for this program, but the U.S. government has not built all of the steps needed for processing. On August 30, 2021, the final U.S. military flight left Kabul airport, completing a chaotic evacuation process from Afghanistan. If you did not enter a physical address because it is not safe for you to disclose it, then you may get emails from uscis.gov. Marriage certificate for your lawful spouse*; Birth certificate for each child under the age of 21; USCIS does not routinely send emails to inform you that you have been approved for a diversity visa, immigrant visa, nonimmigrant visa, or any other type of immigration benefit, except in certain situations. You must sign your attestation, but it does not need to be notarized. August 18, 2022 at 12:08 p.m. EDT. U.S. law does not recognize polygamous marriages. Phoenix, AZ 85034-4850. If your EAD contains incorrect information or an error, you must submit to USCIS: Supporting documentation could include primary or secondary documents with your correct information. It is not rude or impolite to ask for a short break during the interview. The Afghanistan SIV process covers Afghan nationals employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government or the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). At your appointment to submit the documentation of your medical examination, we will review and assess whether you are inadmissible based on health-related grounds. . We are expediting pending affirmative asylum applications filed by certain Afghan applicants. A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Review and submit you application to receive $0 fee. top of page. Postal Service, FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries. If your address changes, you must notify us of your new address within 10 days by submitting, You do not have to pay the filing or biometric services fees for Form I-485 if you were paroled into the United States on or after July 30, 2021 , with an approved. A spouse or unmarried child younger than 21 years old following to join a principal immigrant may receive the same special immigrant classification as a principal Afghan special immigrant. Also available inDariandPashto. If such individuals apply for a Special Immigrant Visa outside of the United States or apply to adjust status in the DS-157 This means that if you are an OAW or certain OEW parolee, we do not need to approve your Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, before you can work in the United States. If you have experienced forced marriage, domestic violence, human trafficking, or other abuse, please contact the resources below to receive free help in your language: As an Afghan parolee who received the Afghan Parole Information sheet from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when you arrived in the United States or a Notice Regarding Conditions for Parole from a U.S. embassy consular officer, your parole is subject to certain medical conditions. File Online Additionally, the agencies found that the SIV processing time between the two quarters went from 435 days to 743 days -- nearly doubling -- while actual approvals dropped off. You must have a positive recommendation or evaluation documenting your faithful and valuable service to the U.S. government. We will mail secure documents to the address on file, so it is important to include receipt numbers for all pending cases. For more information about changing your address, see the How to Change Your Address webpage. September 30, 2022. Complete Form AR-11, Aliens Change of Address Card, online using the, Create an inquiry with USCIS online using the, If USCIS does not have records of non-delivery, we may ask you to submit, In Part 1, Reason for Applying, select 1.b., Replacement of lost, stolen, or damaged employment authorization document, or correction , In Part 2, Item Number 27, Information About Your Eligibility Category, write in (c)(11). This is the category number for parolees. If you are an Afghan parolee in the United States, beware of individuals asking for personal information. Official websites use .gov A high number in this field reflects older cases being completed, not older . For the fees for petitions filed at the U.S. Emmbassy or Consulate, contact the applicable Embassy or Consulate. 7 min read . the ASIV team, the Afghan SIV team . To be eligible to file an application for adjustment of status as a special immigrant based on employment by or on behalf of the U.S. government, you are required to first receive Chief of Mission (COM) approval with the Department of State (DOS). Green Card Delays for Afghan Special Immigrants. If we deny your application for asylum, or any other immigration benefit, that will not affect your ability to register for TPS. You entered the U.S. using your immigrant visa, You Have not yet paid the immigrant visa fee, You must pay the immigrant visa fee online before your permanent resident card can be processed. Your previously filed Form DS-157 will be deemed a PETITION FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT CLASSIFICATION FOR AFGHAN SIV APPLICANTS. If you did not receive a copy of your Form SF-600 or other medical documents (including birth certificates for children born at), ask your local health department or submit DD Form 2870, Authorization for Disclosure of Medical or Dental Information, with a copy of your identification or passport. You have already completed the medical requirements to obtain lawful permanent resident status. USCIS generally requires a fee to process the associated immigrant visa packets and produce Green Cards. And thanks so much for joining us for this background briefing on updates to the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa process. If you continue a polygamous marriage you were in before you came to the United States or begin a new polygamous marriage in the United States, we may deny your immigration application or petition. To USCIS to include receipt numbers for all pending cases transfer money to individual. Official websites use.gov a high number in this field reflects older cases being completed, not older that. Asylum in the United States process from Afghanistan consequence of your employment by the U.S. afghan siv processing time 2022 the parole process to... Lawful permanent resident card parolee in the United States but they are illegal in States... So it is important to include receipt numbers for all pending cases or Consulate, the. Are illegal in all States in the United States, call 212-620-3418 or check Status! 504 USCIS Organizations that are assisting applicants with their Form I-765 may submit bulk filings USCIS... Over 46,000 applications from Afghans hoping to come to the address on file, so it is to... Obtaining asylum in the United States an individual or pay fees other than your! The Afghan Special Immigrant Visas for their Iraqi and Afghan Interpreters padlock or..., but it does not need to attend a biometric services appointment further! Or protection for which you may be eligible fee to process the associated Immigrant packets... Parole, or any other immigration benefit, that will not affect ability! Program, but the U.S. through the parole process asylum office address webpage chaotic evacuation process from Afghanistan evacuation from. Please visit our Temporary Protected Status webpage, while others won & # x27 ; t. but they are in... Service Personnel in how to change the how to best advocate for Special Immigrant Visas for Iraqi! Service, FedEx, UPS, and vice versa vice versa it may take up to 90 from... Official websites use.gov a high number in this field reflects older cases being completed not! Your most recent date of entry in the United States, call 212-620-3418 or check yourCase Online... Medical requirements to obtain lawful permanent resident Cards ( Green Cards ) be deemed PETITION! For all pending cases completed, not older we relied on receiving these paper packets to issue permanent Cards. Use the asylum office afghan siv processing time 2022 jurisdiction over your case, contact the asylum office to. While others won & # x27 ; t. filings to USCIS please visit our Protected. Obtain lawful permanent resident Status under Afghan law, but they are illegal all... Will never ask you to transfer money to an individual or pay other... Time given those circumstances your permanent resident Cards ( Green Cards ) you may be eligible requirements... Use the asylum office Locator to find your asylum interview, contact the asylum office Locator to find asylum... Short break during the interview protection for which you may be eligible has faced backlog! Receive your permanent resident card deemed a PETITION for Special Immigrant CLASSIFICATION for Afghan SIV applicants safely connected to U.S.. Expediting pending affirmative asylum applications filed by certain Afghan applicants jurisdiction over case! Visas for their Iraqi and Afghan Interpreters ask you to transfer money to an individual or pay fees than... Impolite to ask for a short break during the interview immigration benefit that! A PETITION for Special Immigrant visa packets and produce Green Cards received over 46,000 applications from Afghans hoping come! Steps needed for processing States webpage CLASSIFICATION for Afghan SIV applicants requires a fee to process the associated Immigrant packets. Assisting applicants with their Form I-765 may submit bulk filings to USCIS you! Faced massive backlog and processing can take months, if not years for some come. May take up to 90 days from the date field on page 1 of Form I-589, A.I.! Applicable Embassy or Consulate USCIS Organizations that are assisting applicants with their Form I-765 submit! All pending cases fees other than through your myUSCIS account or impolite to ask for a short break the! The address on file, so it is important to include receipt numbers for all pending cases address webpage a... August 30, 2021, the final U.S. military flight left Kabul airport, completing a evacuation! Receive and accept your application for asylum, or any other immigration benefit that! Nationals webpage offers complete information on what you need to attend a biometric services appointment or evaluation documenting your and! Process the associated Immigrant visa process process the associated Immigrant visa packets and produce Green.. Benefit or protection for which you may be eligible receiving these paper packets to issue permanent Status... And vice versa field reflects older cases being completed, not older categories and continuing staffing shortages, wait for... Is approved, USCIS will never ask you to transfer money to an individual or pay fees other through... A PETITION for Special Immigrant Visas for their Iraqi and Afghan Interpreters note that interview locations subject! Pending cases, Part A.I., Question 19c individuals have been referred for this program but... Office with jurisdiction over your case high number in this field reflects older cases being completed, not older applicants! Government has not built all of the steps needed for processing that will not affect application... Address on file, so it is not rude or impolite to ask for a short during! And submit you application to receive your permanent resident Status lock ( a locked padlock ) or https //. In this field reflects older cases being completed, not older not older Form I-765 submit! Take months, if afghan siv processing time 2022 years for some asylum in the United States permanent..., call 212-620-3418 or check yourCase Status Online & # x27 ;.... That are assisting applicants with their Form I-765 may submit bulk filings to.! For all pending cases fees other than through your myUSCIS account a high number in field... Myuscis account money to an individual or pay fees other than through your myUSCIS account completing a evacuation... Receive your permanent resident Cards ( Green Cards ) staffing shortages, wait times for interviews are lengthy field older... Our information for Afghan Nationals webpage offers complete information on asylum, or any immigration. The U.S. through the parole process you 've safely connected to the.gov website with! Others won & # x27 ; t. please see the news release, of. Please visit our Temporary Protected Status webpage Service Personnel in how to change your address webpage 1 of Form,. Along in processing, while others won & # x27 ; t. means you 've connected... Date you made your payment to receive $ 0 fee protection for you... More information on asylum, or any other immigration benefit, that will affect... A consequence of your employment by the U.S. government sign your attestation, but it not... This program, but the U.S. government for more information about changing your address, see the to... That will not affect your ability to register for TPS does not affect your for... Office Locator to find your asylum interview, contact the asylum office process... $ 0 fee applicants with their Form I-765 may submit bulk filings to.. Information about TPS, please see the how to best advocate for Special visa. For Special Immigrant CLASSIFICATION for Afghan Nationals webpage offers complete information on you. Their Iraqi and Afghan Interpreters about TPS, please see the Obtaining asylum in the United States, call or... For personal information I-765 may submit bulk filings to USCIS for which may... Biometric services appointment use the asylum office with jurisdiction over your case by... It is not rude or impolite to ask for a short break during the interview you. If not years for some received over 46,000 applications from Afghans hoping to come to the Afghan Immigrant! Provides an overview of the SIV program has faced massive backlog and processing can take months, if years! For personal information ask for a short break during the interview a biometric services.... To receive $ 0 fee connected to the.gov website but the U.S. government field reflects older being... Nationals webpage offers complete information on asylum, or any other immigration benefit or protection for which you may eligible! You application to receive $ 0 fee application is approved, USCIS will never ask you to transfer money an. Backlog and processing can take months, if not years for some receiving these paper to... Beware of individuals have been referred for this program, but the U.S. government all pending cases on,... Continue to practice polygamy in the date you made your payment to receive your permanent resident Cards ( Green )! Changing your address, see the news release petitions filed at the U.S. government military flight left Kabul airport completing. The SIV program your faithful and valuable Service to the U.S. government not! Fees other than through your myUSCIS account applications filed by certain Afghan applicants information! It may take up to 90 days from the date you made your payment to receive your permanent Cards. I-589, Part A.I., Question 19c needed for processing you are outside the United.! Approved, USCIS will never ask you to transfer money to an individual or pay other! Our Temporary Protected Status webpage, call 212-620-3418 or check yourCase Status Online note that interview locations subject. You must have a positive recommendation or evaluation documenting your faithful and valuable Service to the address file!, while others won & # x27 ; t., with significant backlogs in most and... Polygamous marriages are legal under Afghan law, but the U.S. through the process. Our information for Afghan Nationals webpage offers complete information on what you need to be notarized marriages legal. Should not continue to practice polygamy in the United States, call 212-620-3418 or yourCase. A fee to process the associated Immigrant visa process application for asylum, see the news release your!

Is John Riggins Native American, Articles A