The Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) is a category under U.S. immigration law that allows certain foreign nationals to obtain lawful permanent residence (a "green card") in the United States outside the standard family- or employment-based preference system. While the broader "special immigrant" classification in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA Section 101(a)(27)) covers a range of groups—including certain religious workers, juveniles in state custody, and former international organization employees—the term in contemporary policy debate most often refers to programs for Afghan and Iraqi nationals who assisted U.S. forces.
Two programs dominate current discussion:
- The Iraqi SIV program, created by the Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act of 2007, for Iraqis employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government.
- The Afghan SIV program, established by the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009, for Afghans who worked as interpreters, translators, or in other capacities for the U.S. mission in Afghanistan.
Applicants typically must document a qualifying period of employment, a supervisor recommendation, and an ongoing or past serious threat as a consequence of that employment. The process involves Chief of Mission approval, a petition filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and consular processing through the Department of State.
The program drew intense scrutiny during and after the August 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, when tens of thousands of eligible Afghans remained in-country amid the Taliban takeover. Critics, including the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), have documented multi-year processing backlogs despite statutory deadlines. Congress has periodically increased the cap on visa numbers and adjusted eligibility criteria through the National Defense Authorization Act.
SIV recipients arrive as lawful permanent residents and are eligible for resettlement benefits comparable to those provided to refugees under the Office of Refugee Resettlement.
Example
Following the fall of Kabul in August 2021, the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome evacuated thousands of Afghan SIV applicants and their families to the United States.
Frequently asked questions
Generally, nationals who were employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government or International Security Assistance Force for a qualifying period, who received a favorable supervisor recommendation, and who face an ongoing serious threat because of that employment.
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