1. What Green Card options are available for Afghan and Iraqi nationals employed by the U.S. Government?
Afghan and Iraqi nationals employed by the U.S. Government may be eligible for special immigration visas (SIVs) through the Iraq and Afghanistan Special Immigrant Visa programs. These visas are intended for individuals who worked with or on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraq or Afghanistan, or who were employed by or on behalf of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.
Applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements, including demonstrating that they have been employed in a qualifying position for at least one year and that their lives are in danger due to their employment. Successful applicants will be granted a Green Card, allowing them to live and work permanently in the United States.
2. Are Iraqi and Afghan nationals employed by the U.S. Government eligible for the SIV program?
Yes, Iraqi and Afghan nationals who have been employed by the U.S. Government for at least one year are eligible to apply for the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program.
3. How long does it typically take to obtain a Green Card through the SIV program?
The overall process for obtaining a Green Card through the SIV program typically takes between six months to one year.
4. What documents are required to apply for a Green Card through the SIV program?
In order to apply for a Green Card through the SIV program, applicants must submit the following documents:
1. Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application
2. Proof of service in Afghanistan or Iraq in support of a United States government mission there
3. A valid passport
4. Two passport-style photos
5. A copy of the service member’s military orders, military separation documents, or equivalent documents from the U.S. Department of Defense
6. Medical examination report
7. Police certificates from all countries where the applicant has lived for six months or longer since reaching age 16
8. Evidence of a bona fide marriage, if applicable
9. Evidence of close family ties in the United States, if applicable
5. Are there any restrictions on where an Afghan or Iraqi national can live after obtaining a Green Card?
No. There are no restrictions on where an Afghan or Iraqi national can live after obtaining a Green Card. They can live anywhere in the United States, as long as they meet all the other legal requirements of living in the United States.
6. Does the SIV program have a deadline for applications?
Yes, the SIV program has a deadline for applications. Applications must be received by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) no later than December 31, 2021.
7. Is a job offer from a US employer necessary in order to qualify for a Green Card through the SIV program?
Yes, a job offer from a U.S. employer is necessary in order to qualify for a Green Card through the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. The applicant must demonstrate that they have been employed in Iraq or Afghanistan by a U.S. government agency, international organization, or foreign government for at least one year prior to applying for the SIV program.
8. Does the employer need to provide additional information in order to support an employee’s SIV application?
Yes, the employer may need to provide additional information to support an employee’s SIV application. This may include evidence of the employee’s employment, such as paystubs, employment contracts, and letters of recommendation. In some cases, the employer may also have to verify their business’s eligibility for the program.
9. Are there any other programs available to Afghan and Iraqi nationals employed by the U.S. government?
Yes, there are additional programs available to Afghans and Iraqis employed by the U.S. government. These include the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, which aids those who supported the U.S. mission in their country and are at risk due to their association with us; the Refugee Crisis in Iraq program, which provides for resettlement in the United States of Iraqi nationals who worked for, or on behalf of, the U.S. government in Iraq; and the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009, which provides visas for Afghans who were employed or associated with the U.S. government and military in Afghanistan.
10. Can an Afghan or Iraqi national apply for a Green Card through the visa waiver program?
No, Afghan and Iraqi nationals are not eligible to apply for a Green Card through the visa waiver program.
11. What is the process for applying for a Green Card through the visa waiver program?
The process for applying for a Green Card through the visa waiver program is as follows:
1. Determine Eligibility: The first step is to determine whether or not you are eligible for the program. Generally, foreign nationals must have a valid passport from a participating country and must meet certain other criteria to qualify.
2. Submit Form I-94W: After determining eligibility, you must submit Form I-94W, Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Record, to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This form can be completed online or at a land port of entry.
3. Receive Authorization: The DHS will review your application and decide whether or not you are authorized to enter the United States. If you are approved, you will receive an I-94W stamp indicating your authorized period of stay in the U.S.
4. Apply for a Green Card: Once you are in the U.S., you can apply for a Green Card through the visa waiver program by filing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. You must provide proof that you have been in the U.S. for at least 90 days and have not violated any immigration laws during that time. You may also need to provide additional documentation such as financial information and evidence of ties to your home country.
5. Wait for Approval: Once you submit your application, it can take several months for the government to review it and make a decision. During this time, you may be allowed to stay in the U.S., but you should not make any long-term plans until your application is approved.
12. Are there any restrictions on who can travel to the United States under the visa waiver program?
Yes, there are restrictions on who can travel to the United States under the visa waiver program. Individuals who have been in certain countries (including Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Sudan) in the past five years are not eligible to enter the United States under the visa waiver program. Other restrictions may also apply.
13. How long does it take to receive a Green Card through the visa waiver program?
The visa waiver program does not provide a Green Card. This program allows certain nationals of designated countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa.
14. What types of jobs are eligible for the special immigrant visa (SIV) program?
The SIV program is available to certain individuals who have worked for the U.S. government in Iraq or Afghanistan in the following capacities:
• Translator/interpreter
• Engineer
• Manager
• Health Care Professional
• Technician
• Police Officer
• Public Safety Official
• Teacher
• Media Professional
• Religious Worker
• Diplomat/Consular Officer and Staff
• Contractor with the U.S. Government
15. Are there any medical requirements to qualify for a Green Card through the SIV program?
Yes. To be eligible for a Green Card through the SIV program, applicants must pass a medical examination conducted by an approved civil surgeon to ensure they do not have any communicable or other medical conditions that could make them inadmissible to the United States.
16. Are there any language requirements that must be met in order to qualify for a Green Card through the SIV program?
Yes. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English and the appropriate local language.
17. Are there any educational requirements that must be met in order to qualify for a Green Card through the SIV program?
Yes. To qualify for a Green Card through the SIV program, you must demonstrate that you have either completed a high school-level education or the equivalent, or have graduated from a college or university. Additionally, you must demonstrate proficiency in the English language.
18. Can an Afghan or Iraqi national be denied their request for permanent residence under the SIV program?
Yes, an Afghan or Iraqi national can be denied their request for permanent residence under the SIV program. The criteria for eligibility are quite strict and can include factors such as the applicant being a victim of persecution, as well as proof of employment with the U.S. Government or a U.S. contractor in Afghanistan or Iraq.
19. What is the criteria used by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) when processing applications under the SIV Program?
The USCIS uses three criteria to process applications under the SIV program:
1. The applicant must have been employed, in a qualifying professional or technical capacity, by the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) in Afghanistan or by the U.S. Government in Iraq for a period of at least one year prior to application;
2. The applicant must have experienced an ongoing serious threat as a consequence of his or her employment; and
3. The applicant must have experienced a serious injury or suffered the death of an immediate family member as a result of his or her employment.
20. Does an applicant need to provide proof of past employment or service in order to apply for a Green Card through the SIV Program?
No, applicants for the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Program do not need to provide proof of past employment or service. However, they must provide other documentation, such as valid passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other evidence of ties to their home country, in order to be considered for a Green Card through the SIV Program.