Common SIV Questions Answered

1. WHEN WILL I GET COM APPROVAL?

Each applicant’s case processing is separate and different from others. Everyone will have different processing times even if you had applied together on the same date with your friends.

For example, Ghani and Abdullah apply together for SIV COM approval. Abdullah might COM approval in 120 days, while Ghani gets COM approval in 175 days.

*** This is only an example, not actual processing times ***
It is very important to avoid comparing your case processing time with other applicants even if they had applied on the same date with you.
Everyone will have different processing times!

2. WHY MY COM APPROVAL IS TAKING SO LONG? WHAT CAN I DO?

This IRAP organization guide gives information for Afghan SIV applicants who have applied for Chief of Mission (COM) approval and are still waiting for a decision.
For more information, open and review the IRAP website here:
English link:
Farsi translation link:
Pashto translation link:

3. I AM AN AFGHAN SIV APPLICANT INSIDE THE UNITED STATES. HOW DO I APPLY TO GET A GREEN CARD (LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENCE)?

Please read the IRAP organization’s guide for getting your green card. This is for those that were evacuated to the United States or are already in the United States on a different type of visa.
English Link:
Farsi Link:
Pashto Link:
It is strongly recommended and advised that SIV applicants talk with a licensed immigration lawyer and get help from a lawyer to apply for their Green Card inside the United States. 

4. HOW DO I REQUEST EVACUATION FROM THE AFGHANISTAN?

Evacuations are an on-going issue and effort that is subject to changes. Read the IRAP organization’s guidance on this.
English Link:
Farsi Link:
Pashto Link:

5. I GOT COM DENIAL. HOW CAN I APPEAL MY DENIAL? HOW LONG WILL MY APPEAL TAKE?

Please read the IRAP organization’s guidance on appealing your denied SIV application.
English Link:
Farsi Link:
Pashto Link:

 6. I HAVE ARRIVED IN THE UNITED STATES. WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION?

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) page provides information for Afghans that have arrived in the United States.

It has many information related to SIV cases, Green Card, Asylum Case, Humanitarian Parole, Social Security Card, Refugees, Marriages, Family Visas, Afghans evacuated to the United States, and many more information.

USCIS Link:

https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/information-for-afghans

7. HOW CAN I TRANSFER MY SIV CASE TO ANOTHER U.S. EMBASSY OUTSIDE AFGHANISTAN?

**** Please avoid US Embassy in Tajikistan as that US Embassy does not process immigrant visa cases in Tajikistan. You will need to go Almaty, Kazakhstan to be processed. *****
There is no US Embassy working in Iran. Do not go to Iran to process your SIV case.
For information about transferring your SIV case to another US Embassy outside Afghanistan, visit the official Afghan SIV webpage and review the transfer instructions located in the top section. Please read, understand and follow the instructions carefully!
*** The section is titled ***
“Important Notice: Transferring SIV Cases from Embassy Kabul to Another Post”.
See the screenshot below. Screenshot saved on February 28, 2022.
Official Afghan SIV link:
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