Skip to main content
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government    Here's how you know
Official Government Website

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Website

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Español
Multilingual Resources
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
 
Sign In  
Access USCIS online services.
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
Sign In
Create Account
  • Topics

    • Family

      • Family of Green Card Holders (Permanent Residents)
      • Family of Refugees and Asylees
      • Family of U.S. Citizens
    • Adoption

      • Before You Start
      • Immigration through Adoption
    • Military

      • Citizenship for Military Family Members
      • Naturalization Through Military Service
    • Humanitarian

      • Humanitarian Parole
      • Refugees and Asylum
      • Temporary Protected Status
    • Visit the U.S.

      • Change My Nonimmigrant Status
      • Extend Your Stay
    • Working in the United States

      • Permanent Workers
      • Temporary (Nonimmigrant) Workers
      • E-Verify
      • I-9 Central
    • Avoid Scams

      • Common Scams
      • Find Legal Services
      • Report Immigration Scams
    • Careers at USCIS

      • Career Opportunities
      • Special Hiring Programs
  • Forms

    • Most Accessed Forms

      • I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification
      • I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
      • I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
      • I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
      • N-400, Application for Naturalization
    • Family Based Forms

      • I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)
      • I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
      • I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant
      • I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative
      • I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence
    • All Forms

    • File Online

    • Employment Based Forms

      • I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
      • I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers
      • I-526, Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor
      • I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
    • Humanitarian Based Forms

      • I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal
      • I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition
      • I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status
  • Newsroom

    • All News

      • Alerts
      • Fact Sheets
      • News Releases
    • Media Contacts

    • Multimedia Gallery

    • Social Media Directory

    • Speeches, Statements, Testimony

  • Citizenship

    • Learners

      • Apply for Citizenship
      • Learn About Citizenship
      • Naturalization Test and Study Resources
    • Educators

      • Educational Products for Educators
      • Resources for Educational Programs
      • Teacher Training Sessions
    • Organizations

      • Outreach Tools
      • Naturalization-Related Data and Statistics
    • Grants

      • Success Stories from Grant Recipients
  • Green Card

    • Green Card Processes and Procedures

      • Adjustment of Status
      • After We Grant Your Green Card
      • Employment Authorization Document
      • Visa Availability and Priority Dates
    • Green Card Eligibility Categories

    • How to Apply for a Green Card

    • Replace Your Green Card

    • While Your Green Card Application Is Pending with USCIS

  • Laws

    • Legislation

      • Immigration and Nationality Act
    • Class Action, Settlement Notices and Agreements

    • Unlawful Presence and Inadmissibility

    • Policy Manual

    • Regulations

    • Administrative Appeals

  • Tools

    • Alien Registration Requirement

    • Self-Help Tools

      • Check Case Processing Times
      • Case Status Online
      • Change of Address
      • E-Request
      • Password Resets and Technical Support
    • Website Resources

      • Archive
      • A-Z Index
      • Website Policies
    • Additional Resources

      • Explore my Options
      • Immigration and Citizenship Data
      • Multilingual Resource Center
      • USCIS Tools and Resources
  • Contact us
  • Multilingual Resources
Main navigation
Skip to main content
  • Newsroom
    • All News
      • Fact Sheets
      • News Releases
      • Alerts
    • Immigration Relief in Emergencies or Unforeseen Circumstances
    • Media Contacts
    • Video and Photo Gallery
    • Speeches, Statements, Testimony
    • Social Media Directory
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. All News
  4. Alerts
  5. USCIS Updates Guidance for Afghans and Iraqis Seeking Special Immigrant Classification

USCIS Updates Guidance for Afghans and Iraqis Seeking Special Immigrant Classification

Release Date
07/20/2022

USCIS is updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding Afghan and Iraqi nationals seeking special immigrant classification. The new guidance is effective immediately.

The updated guidance:

  • Explains that aliens seeking an Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) on or after July 20, 2022, must file Form DS-157, Petition for Special Immigrant Classification for Afghan SIV Applicants, with the Department of State when they are applying for Chief of Mission approval. In some circumstances, aliens must still file a petition with USCIS to pursue an Afghan SIV;
  • Updates eligibility criteria to reflect that the employment requirement for an Afghan SIV is now one year and clarifies what type of employment with the International Security Assistance Force qualifies;
  • Updates eligibility criteria for surviving spouses and children of deceased principal aliens to expand the scope of who may apply for Afghan and Iraqi SIVs;
  • In cases where a visa is not immediately available, removes the date limitation to convert an approved petition for an Afghan or Iraqi translator or interpreter to an approved petition for an Iraqi or Afghan employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government; and
  • Clarifies statutory requirements that an alien seeking an Afghan or Iraqi SIV must establish that they provided faithful and valuable service to the U.S. government by submitting a positive recommendation or evaluation from their supervisor.

For more information, see the Policy Alert (PDF, 347.6 KB). Visit the Policy Manual Feedback page to provide feedback on this update. USCIS welcomes feedback on this guidance and will consider any feedback received in future updates.

Last Reviewed/Updated:
07/20/2022
Was this page helpful?
0 / 2000
To protect your privacy, please do not include any personal information in your feedback. Review our Privacy Policy.
Return to top
  • Topics
  • Forms
  • Newsroom
  • Citizenship
  • Green Card
  • Laws
  • Tools
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Facebook
X, formerly known as Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
LinkedIn
Email
Contact USCIS
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal
Agency description

USCIS.gov

An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Important links
  • About USCIS
  • Accessibility
  • Budget and Performance
  • DHS Components
  • Freedom of Information Act
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Privacy and Legal Disclaimers
  • Site Map
  • Office of the Inspector General
  • The White House
  • USA.gov
Looking for U.S. government information and services?
Visit USA.gov