Afghan employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government (SIV)

Petition stage

What happens

The Afghan SIV process is led by DOS, not USCIS. You submit a Chief-of-Mission (COM) application through the DOS SIV portal documenting qualifying U.S. government employment in Afghanistan, your service period, and the direct threat you experienced. Applicants already inside the United States may file Form I-360 with USCIS instead.

When

Begin only after confirming the program is currently accepting applications; DOS has imposed suspension overlays at various times and the operational status can change without advance notice.

Common pitfalls

Assuming the program follows the standard I-360 route and bypassing the DOS COM portal; failing to verify current program status before investing time in document collection.

When this stage is done

DOS approves the COM application and notifies you that the case has been forwarded for further processing, or USCIS issues an I-360 approval notice for in-country filers.

Sources: 9 official sources inform this stage.

Priority dates and the Visa Bulletin

What happens

Afghan SIV cases track under the EB-4 column of the DOS Visa Bulletin, but issuance is also controlled by a separate congressional cap under the Afghan Allies Protection Act that is independent of the general EB-4 ceiling. When Congress exhausts the Afghan SIV allocation, visas pause regardless of EB-4 movement.

When

Check the Visa Bulletin every month and also monitor the live DOS Afghan SIV program-status page each month, since cap exhaustion can stop processing even when EB-4 dates are current.

Common pitfalls

Watching only the EB-4 Visa Bulletin column and not tracking the separate congressional Afghan SIV cap; relying on a prior month's cutoff without checking for retrogressions or program suspensions.

When this stage is done

The EB-4 priority date is current for your chargeability country and DOS confirms the congressional Afghan SIV allocation has not been exhausted, clearing you to advance.

Sources: 9 official sources inform this stage.

Related guides: Reading the Visa Bulletin

NVC processing

What happens

For Afghan SIV consular cases, DOS routes approved COM cases through its own SIV pipeline rather than the standard NVC fee-and-document intake sequence. You may receive an NVC case number or be directed to a program-specific SIV channel; which channel applies depends on current program instructions.

When

This step begins after the COM application is approved and DOS forwards the case; confirm which intake channel applies by checking the current DOS Afghan SIV instructions before submitting any documents.

Common pitfalls

Treating this stage like a standard NVC immigrant-visa case and sending documents through the wrong channel; not confirming whether an affidavit of support is needed (it is generally not required for this category).

When this stage is done

DOS or NVC confirms the case is documentarily qualified and schedules the consular interview at the designated post.

Sources: 12 official sources inform this stage.

Civil documents, translations, and reciprocity

What happens

DOS specifies which civil documents are required for an Afghan SIV case. Standard items include identity documents, birth certificates for yourself and any derivative family members, applicable marriage certificates, and military or employment service records supporting the COM application. Afghan civil records may be unavailable; DOS and the post have procedures for accepting secondary evidence or sworn statements in place of unobtainable originals.

When

Gather documents after the COM application is approved and before DOS or NVC requests them; check the DOS Afghanistan country reciprocity page for current authentication and format requirements.

Common pitfalls

Assuming all original records are obtainable; submitting documents without certified English translations; overlooking derivative family members' identity records.

When this stage is done

DOS or NVC confirms all required civil documents have been received and accepted, and the case is cleared for interview scheduling.

Sources: 7 official sources inform this stage.

Related guides: Civil documents and reciprocity

Medical exam

What happens

Afghan SIV applicants processing abroad complete the medical exam with a DOS-designated panel physician at or near the consular post, covering required vaccinations, a physical exam, and a mental-health and substance-use review. Applicants adjusting status inside the United States use Form I-693 completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon and submitted in a sealed envelope.

When

Schedule the consular panel exam after DOS confirms the interview appointment; for adjustment cases, schedule the I-693 after the priority date is current and before the USCIS interview, observing the validity window.

Common pitfalls

Scheduling the exam too early so it expires before the interview; opening the sealed I-693 envelope; using a physician not listed by USCIS or DOS for your specific processing mode.

When this stage is done

The sealed I-693 is submitted with the I-485 or the panel report is transmitted electronically, and the exam is confirmed as valid for the interview date.

Sources: 10 official sources inform this stage.

Biometrics

What happens

Adjustment applicants who file the I-485 in the United States receive a USCIS biometrics appointment notice directing them to a local Application Support Center for fingerprints, photograph, and signature. Consular applicants abroad may be directed to an overseas ASC as part of the DOS SIV process before the immigrant-visa interview.

When

The domestic ASC notice arrives within weeks of the I-485 receipt; consular biometrics instructions come through the DOS SIV pipeline, so follow your specific appointment notice.

Common pitfalls

Missing the appointment without rescheduling in advance; arriving without the appointment notice and a government-issued photo ID; confusing the biometrics step with a substantive interview.

When this stage is done

Biometrics are collected at the ASC, or USCIS issues a reuse notice confirming prior biometric data will be used in place of a new appointment.

Sources: 8 official sources inform this stage.

Interview preparation

What happens

Afghan SIV applicants face a substantive interview at the consular post or, for adjustment cases, at a USCIS field office. The interview centers on the qualifying U.S. government employment relationship, the nature and duration of service, the threat element, identity, and admissibility. Bring originals of all submitted records including employment documents, threat documentation, and the COM approval.

When

Prepare well before the scheduled interview date; Afghan administrative records are often incomplete, so organize corroborating evidence and be ready to explain gaps.

Common pitfalls

Bringing copies instead of originals; failing to have a coherent account of the threat element; leaving derivative family members' records behind.

When this stage is done

The consular officer or USCIS officer concludes the interview and either approves the case on the spot or issues a request for additional evidence before a final decision.

Sources: 8 official sources inform this stage.

Consular processing

What happens

After the DOS SIV pipeline clears the COM application and schedules the interview, you complete immigrant-visa steps at the designated post: submitting the DS-260, paying consular fees, completing the panel medical exam, attending biometrics if required, and appearing for the interview. Upon visa issuance, carry the sealed packet to a U.S. port of entry where CBP admits you as a lawful permanent resident.

When

Scheduling timelines for Afghan SIV cases have been highly variable; check the current DOS Afghan SIV page for operational status before planning travel or submitting documents.

Common pitfalls

Paying the USCIS immigrant fee before entering the United States; not opening a bank account or preparing housing before travel; assuming timelines from prior program cycles still apply.

When this stage is done

CBP admits you at the port of entry as a lawful permanent resident and you pay the USCIS immigrant fee online so USCIS produces and mails your green card.

Sources: 11 official sources inform this stage.

Adjustment of status

What happens

Afghan SIV applicants already in the United States in a qualifying status may file Form I-485 to become lawful permanent residents without processing a visa abroad. The package includes the I-360 or COM documentation, the sealed I-693, identity and status documents, two passport photos, and the filing fee. Concurrent I-765 and I-131 filings are permitted.

When

File the I-485 once the EB-4 priority date is current and the congressional Afghan SIV cap has not been exhausted; USCIS will schedule biometrics and typically an interview after receipt.

Common pitfalls

Filing before the EB-4 date is current or before confirming the congressional cap has not been exhausted; omitting derivative family members' concurrent I-485 applications.

When this stage is done

USCIS approves the I-485 and mails the green card, completing the adjustment to lawful permanent resident status.

Sources: 10 official sources inform this stage.

Waivers and inadmissibility overlays

What happens

If the Afghan SIV applicant has a ground of inadmissibility such as prior immigration violations, certain criminal history, or health-related bars, a waiver is typically required before the visa or adjustment can be approved. Some grounds have SIV-specific or humanitarian waiver provisions; others require Form I-601.

When

Identify potential inadmissibility issues as early as possible, ideally before submitting the COM application, since waiver adjudication can add months to the overall timeline.

Common pitfalls

Assuming the SIV category automatically excuses inadmissibility; filing a waiver without identifying the correct statutory provision for the specific ground being waived.

When this stage is done

USCIS or DOS approves the waiver and confirms the ground of inadmissibility has been resolved, clearing the case to proceed to visa issuance or I-485 approval.

Sources: 7 official sources inform this stage.

Related guides: I-601A provisional unlawful-presence waiver, I-601 general waiver of inadmissibility

Post-specific particulars

What happens

Afghan SIV applicants are not typically routed through the Ciudad Juarez post; DOS designates the processing post for each SIV case. This stage is included as a general consular overlay. If DOS ever directs your case to the U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, review the current CDJ supplement before traveling.

When

If Ciudad Juarez is designated, review the CDJ supplement as soon as you receive that instruction, since the supplement governs biometrics, medical exam, and logistics timelines specific to that post.

Common pitfalls

Assuming the logistics used at other consular posts apply at Ciudad Juarez; arriving without completing the required pre-interview biometrics at the local ASC.

When this stage is done

You complete all CDJ-required steps including biometrics at the local ASC and the panel-physician exam, and the consular interview takes place as scheduled.

Sources: 9 official sources inform this stage.