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

Petition stage

What happens

The Iraqi SIV process is jointly administered by DOS and USCIS. The first step is the Chief-of-Mission (COM) approval process through DOS, which verifies qualifying U.S. government or contractor employment in Iraq for at least one year, faithful and valuable service, and a direct employment-related threat. After COM approval, the case either proceeds through the DOS SIV consular pipeline or, for applicants in the United States, through a USCIS I-360 petition.

When

Begin only after checking the current DOS Iraqi SIV page for the latest program instructions and any congressional re-authorization status; program windows have been set and modified by Congress.

Common pitfalls

Filing without verifying that the program window is currently authorized by Congress; treating this as a standard I-360 USCIS pathway and bypassing the DOS COM process.

When this stage is done

DOS approves the COM application and forwards the case for further processing, or USCIS issues an I-360 approval for in-country filers.

Sources: 8 official sources inform this stage.

Priority dates and the Visa Bulletin

What happens

Iraqi SIV cases track under EB-4 in the Visa Bulletin but are also subject to an annual congressional cap set and periodically modified by Congress. When the cap is exhausted or the program window expires without re-extension, processing pauses regardless of EB-4 date movement.

When

Monitor both the DOS Visa Bulletin EB-4 column and the DOS Iraqi SIV program-status page each month, since either the cap or a program expiration can stop processing independently.

Common pitfalls

Watching only the EB-4 Visa Bulletin column without tracking the congressional cap status; assuming that a current EB-4 date means the Iraqi SIV program is open.

When this stage is done

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

Sources: 8 official sources inform this stage.

Related guides: Reading the Visa Bulletin

NVC processing

What happens

For Iraqi SIV cases going through consular processing, DOS may route approved COM cases through a dedicated SIV intake channel rather than the standard NVC fee-and-document sequence. You will receive instructions on whether your case uses standard NVC intake or a program-specific SIV channel. In either case, you must complete the DS-260, submit civil documents, and pay applicable consular fees.

When

This step begins after the DOS COM approval and case forwarding; confirm which intake channel applies by reading the instructions provided, and respond to all NVC communications promptly to avoid interview delays.

Common pitfalls

Routing documents to the wrong intake channel by defaulting to standard NVC procedures; expecting an affidavit of support requirement when 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: 11 official sources inform this stage.

Civil documents, translations, and reciprocity

What happens

Civil documents for an Iraqi SIV case include identity documents, birth certificates for the principal and derivatives, marriage certificates where applicable, and the employment and threat documentation that anchors the COM application. Iraqi civil records may be difficult to obtain; DOS and the processing post have procedures for unavailable records, including secondary evidence and sworn affidavits.

When

Gather documents after the COM application is approved and before DOS or NVC requests them; check the DOS Iraq country reciprocity page and the post supplement for current document requirements and authentication expectations.

Common pitfalls

Assuming all civil records are obtainable from Iraqi authorities; submitting documents without certified English translations; overlooking employment and threat records that must accompany civil documents.

When this stage is done

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

Sources: 6 official sources inform this stage.

Related guides: Civil documents and reciprocity

Medical exam

What happens

Iraqi 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 in the United States use Form I-693 by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon, sealed and presented with the I-485 package or at the interview.

When

Schedule the panel-physician exam after DOS confirms the interview appointment; for adjustment cases confirm the current validity window with USCIS or DOS guidance before scheduling.

Common pitfalls

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

When this stage is done

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

Sources: 9 official sources inform this stage.

Biometrics

What happens

Adjustment applicants in the United States receive a USCIS biometrics appointment at a local ASC after filing the I-485, for fingerprints, photograph, and signature. Consular applicants abroad may be directed to an overseas ASC for biometrics as part of the DOS SIV pipeline before the visa interview.

When

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

Common pitfalls

Missing the biometrics appointment without rescheduling; a missed appointment without rescheduling can lead to denial of the I-485.

When this stage is done

Biometrics are collected at the ASC, completing this step and allowing case processing to continue.

Sources: 7 official sources inform this stage.

Interview preparation

What happens

Iraqi SIV applicants face a substantive interview at the consular post or at a USCIS field office for adjustment cases. The interview focuses on qualifying U.S. government or contractor employment in Iraq, the service period and its documentation, the threat element (threat letters, security incident reports, or other evidence), identity, and admissibility. Bring originals of all submitted records: COM approval, employment documentation, threat evidence, identity documents, and derivative family records.

When

Prepare well before the interview; since Iraqi administrative records may be incomplete, organize corroborating secondary evidence and be ready to explain gaps.

Common pitfalls

Failing to bring originals of threat documentation and employment records; being unable to explain gaps in Iraqi administrative records; omitting derivative family members' documents.

When this stage is done

The officer concludes the interview and approves the case or issues a request for additional evidence before final adjudication.

Sources: 7 official sources inform this stage.

Consular processing

What happens

Once the DOS SIV pipeline advances the Iraqi case to the interview stage, the applicant appears at the designated consular post. The officer reviews the DS-260, civil documents, employment and threat records, medical exam results, and admissibility history, then conducts the interview. If the visa is approved, it is placed in a sealed packet for the applicant to carry to a U.S. port of entry, where CBP admits them as a lawful permanent resident.

When

Scheduling timelines for Iraqi SIV cases vary by DOS capacity and program status; check the current DOS Iraqi SIV page for current status before planning travel or document submission.

Common pitfalls

Arriving at the interview without originals of threat documentation and employment records; forgetting to carry the sealed visa packet to the port of entry; not paying the USCIS immigrant fee after admission.

When this stage is done

CBP admits the applicant at the port of entry as a lawful permanent resident and the USCIS immigrant fee is paid, triggering green card production.

Sources: 10 official sources inform this stage.

Adjustment of status

What happens

Iraqi SIV applicants already in the United States in a qualifying status may file Form I-485 instead of processing an immigrant visa abroad. The package includes the approved I-360 or COM documentation, sealed I-693, civil and identity documents, two passport photos, and the filing fee. Concurrent I-765 and I-131 filings are permitted; derivatives may file simultaneous I-485 applications.

When

Verify the EB-4 priority date is current and the congressional Iraqi SIV program window has not expired before filing; USCIS will schedule biometrics and typically an interview after receipt.

Common pitfalls

Filing before confirming the congressional program window and numerical cap allow it; omitting threat documentation from the I-485 package when it supported the COM application.

When this stage is done

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

Sources: 9 official sources inform this stage.

Waivers and inadmissibility overlays

What happens

If an Iraqi SIV applicant has a ground of inadmissibility such as prior immigration violations, criminal history, or security-related bars, a waiver is typically required before approval. The SIV framework does not automatically waive all grounds; each ground must be addressed using the appropriate form (typically I-601) with supporting evidence. Security-related bars have more limited waiver availability than health or immigration-violation grounds.

When

Identify any inadmissibility issues as early as possible in the process, since waiver adjudication can add months or longer to the overall timeline.

Common pitfalls

Assuming the SIV category provides broader inadmissibility relief than it actually does; filing a waiver without identifying the correct statutory provision for the specific ground.

When this stage is done

USCIS or DOS approves the waiver and clears the inadmissibility ground, allowing the case to proceed to visa issuance or I-485 approval.

Sources: 6 official sources inform this stage.

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

Post-specific particulars

What happens

Iraqi SIV applicants are typically processed at the consular post designated by DOS for the program, not at Ciudad Juarez. This stage is included as a general consular overlay. If DOS ever directs an Iraqi SIV 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 pre-interview biometrics at the local ASC and the panel-physician logistics.

Common pitfalls

Assuming the logistics used at other posts designated for Iraqi SIV cases apply at Ciudad Juarez; arriving without having completed the required pre-interview biometrics at the local ASC.

When this stage is done

You complete the Ciudad Juarez biometrics, panel-physician exam, and consular interview as required by the current CDJ supplement.

Sources: 8 official sources inform this stage.