Please refer to Instructions for Applying for Chief of Mission Approval
When can I apply for Chief of Mission approval?
You must apply before December 31, 2025.
To meet the deadline, your application must include at least:
You must send the application via email to AfghanSIVApplication@state.gov.
Until you submit all required documents, your application will be incomplete, and the Department of State will take no further action on it.
For the full list of required documents please see the Collecting the Application Documents section and the Instructions for Applying for Chief of Mission Approval.
See instructions for Unavailable COM Application Documents and the Instructions for Applying for Chief of Mission Approval.
(1) Collect all the necessary documents.
(2) Scan documents. You will need access to a computer and scanner or a smartphone with an internet connection.
Scanning Requirements:
(3) Save documents.
Examples of Properly Scanned Documents
Scanned File includes front and back
Scanned File includes all parts of the document
There is no need to rotate the image
Compressing a File
Compression means saving your document in a smaller file size. A smaller file takes up less space on your hard drive and can be uploaded or e-mailed much faster. However, not all file types are easily compressed. Most computer operating systems include an option to compress a file. This option is often found under “File” or “Save,” or appears when you right-click on a file name in a navigation screen. Look on the “Help” tool in your computer operating system for more information on what is available to you.
There is also third-party compression software available, both at no cost and for purchase. Please remember, the Department of State cannot accept files that have been “zipped.”
Submitting Documents via E-mail
Note: If you choose to use a public computer, be sure to delete your scanned documents once you have finished uploading them.
How do I make a correction to my COM application?
If NVC notifies you that a correction is needed, follow the directions in the Missing Documents or Corrections Required section, or write to AfghanSIVApplication@state.gov for instructions.
What happens if there are no more visas available?
If there are no more visas available, NVC will hold your case but will take no further action on it unless additional visas become available.
Who is the Chief of Mission (COM)?
The Chief of Mission (COM) is the principal officer in charge at a U.S. diplomatic mission. The COM for Afghanistan reviews the qualifications of those who intend to apply for an Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV. The COM can designate a person to review materials submitted for COM approval. That person is called the COM designee.
Who is eligible for Afghan Special Immigrant status?
The Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009, as amended, provides the eligibility requirements for Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) status. As a principal applicant, you must:
Instructions for Applying for Chief of Mission approval provide further details about establishing each qualification.
When is the deadline to submit materials to apply for Chief of Mission approval?
The deadline to submit materials to apply for Chief of Mission approval is December 31, 2025.
The deadline to appeal a COM denial or withdrawal of a previous COM approval is no more than 120 days from the date of the email informing you of the COM denial or withdrawal. Information and documents submitted after 120 days will not be considered.
Read your denial or withdrawal letter closely. The letter may tell you what to include for a successful appeal. For example, your denial letter might say: “Please submit a Letter of Recommendation from a different author."
Will the United States continue processing requests for Chief of Mission approval if the visa number limit for Afghan Special Immigrant Visas is reached?
Yes, we will continue processing requests for Chief of Mission (COM) approval even if the visa number limit for Afghan Special Immigrant Visas is reached. Once the COM-designee makes a decision on your case, the COM-designee shares that information with the National Visa Center (NVC). If visa numbers are available, NVC will contact you to schedule your visa interview. If visas are no longer available, NVC will hold your case.
How much employment is required to be eligible for Afghan Special Immigrant Visa status?
One year (12 months) of qualifying employment is required to be eligible for Afghan Special Immigrant Visa status.
I began working for ISAF and then worked for Resolute Support. Can I qualify for Afghan Special Immigrant Visa status?
Yes, you might qualify for Afghan Special Immigrant Visa status if you have a total of at least one year of employment between October 7, 2001, and December 31, 2024, with ISAF or Resolute Support. You must have been directly employed by ISAF or Resolute Support. Work under a contract for ISAF or Resolute Support is not considered qualifying employment under the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009, as amended.
You must have:
Who should write the HR employment letter and what must it say?
Your employer’s Human Resources (HR) department should write your HR employment letter. If there is no HR department, a company representative with access to employment records can write your HR letter. The company representative must state in the HR employment letter that there is no HR department and why the company representative qualifies to write your HR employment letter.
Your HR letter should include:
The Instructions for Applying for Chief of Mission Approval provide more details.
I worked for two different qualifying employers. Can I add those months together to meet the requirement of one year of work?
Yes, you can add those months together to meet the requirement of one year (12 months) of qualifying employment. List all your qualifying employers and work dates in your application materials, including any overlapping periods of employment from multiple employers. Be sure to explain how you worked for multiple employers, and/or in multiple locations, at the same time, if you have overlapping periods of employment.
If you worked for more than one company, you should provide a separate HR letter from each company. You need to provide only one LOR, but it must come from your supervisor at a company from which you also submitted a corresponding HR letter.
What happens to my COM approval request if I submit a Statement of Unavailability instead of an HR employment letter and/or Letter of Recommendation?
As long as all other required documents are submitted, the COM-designee will review your application. If your case is eligible for participation in an employment verification program, the COM-designee will attempt to verify your employment and/or obtain a recommendation via that process. If you obtain an HR employment letter and/or Letter of Recommendation after you submit your COM approval application with a Statement of Unavailability, email copies of your new letters to the National Visa Center with a request that the new letters be added to your case.
If you obtain an HR employment letter and/or Letter of Recommendation after your COM approval application has been denied, you may appeal the denial or reapply for COM approval. For more information about appeals and reapplications, please see “Step 2: COM Review” at the following link: The Steps of the Afghan SIV-Process (state.gov).
If you provide a Statement of Unavailability instead of an HR employment letter and/or a Letter of Recommendation, and the COM-designee cannot verify your employment and/or obtain a recommendation through an employer verification process, the COM-designee will NOT approve your application. Without verification of your employment and recommendation, the COM-designee cannot positively determine whether you qualify for Afghan Special Immigrant status and grant COM approval.
Can I still submit a request for COM approval if I cannot get an HR employment letter because my former employer is no longer in business/no longer exists or the points of contact for my former employer are deceased?
Yes, you may still apply for COM approval even if your former employer is no longer in business, or if the points of contact for your former employer are deceased. If you are unable to obtain an HR employment letter, you may submit a Statement of Unavailability instead, along with your Letter(s) of Recommendation. However, if the COM-designee cannot verify your employment and/or obtain a recommendation through an employer verification process, the COM-designee will NOT approve your application. If you do not submit an HR employment letter, your supervisor should include in the Letter(s) of Recommendation as much detail as possible, including the dates of supervision and, if you were employed under a contract, specific information about the contract. For more information about Letter of Recommendation requirements, please see https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/special-immg-visa-afghans-employed-us-gov/afghan-com-approval-instructions.html#recommendation
I worked on a U.S. grant or cooperative agreement. Is that qualifying employment?
No, employment under a U.S. grant or cooperative agreement is not considered qualifying employment. Ask your employer’s Human Resources (HR) department if you do not know whether you worked under a contract or under a U.S. grant or cooperative agreement.
I worked for a contractor/subcontractor at ISAF/Resolute Support. Is that qualifying employment?
No, work for a contractor/subcontractor for ISAF/Resolute Support is not considered qualifying employment. You must have been directly employed by ISAF/Resolute Support to be considered eligible for Afghan Special Immigrant Visa status.
I worked for the Afghan government/Afghan military/Afghan police. Is that qualifying employment?
No, work for/direct employment by the Afghan government, Afghan military, or Afghan security forces (police) is not qualifying employment.
Must a U.S. citizen write my Letter of Recommendation?
No, that requirement has changed. The person who writes your Letter of Recommendation or co-signs your Letter of Recommendation does not need to be a U.S. citizen.
Must I have a co-signer for my Letter of Recommendation?
No, that requirement has changed. A co-signer is no longer required. This is true even when the person who writes your Letter of Recommendation is not a U.S. citizen. A co-signer is still allowed, and U.S. citizen co-signers are especially helpful.
Who can write my Letter of Recommendation?
The person who directly supervised you should write a Letter of Recommendation for you. If your direct supervisor is not able to write a Letter of Recommendation for you, someone higher than your direct supervisor can write the Letter of Recommendation for you. That person must have been in the chain of command above your direct supervisor. For example:
If the person who writes your Letter of Recommendation was not your direct supervisor, they must describe their place in the chain of command and connection to your direct supervisor.
If you were directly employed by ISAF/Resolute Support, a U.S. military member who personally worked with you should write your Letter of Recommendation.
The Instructions for Chief of Mission Approval provide more details.
Is there a template or format for the Letter of Recommendation?
No, there is no required template or format for the Letter of Recommendation. A Letter of Recommendation must include the details listed in the Instructions for Applying for Chief of Mission Approval. Generic form letters from supervisors are less useful. You should closely review your Letter of Recommendation and ensure that it is accurate. Letters of Recommendation with significant spelling and grammatical errors may delay processing.
Should I apply for Chief of Mission approval even if I do not have an HR employment letter and a Letter of Recommendation?
You may apply for Chief of Mission (COM) approval even if you cannot get an HR employment letter and/or Letter of Recommendation. Some agencies and departments participate in employment verification programs as part of the COM approval process. If your employer participates in such a program, the COM-designee may be able to confirm your employment and obtain a recommendation, even if you have not submitted an HR employment and/or Letter of Recommendation. This is especially true if you worked under a Department of Defense (DoD) contract or a Department of State, Embassy Kabul Annex contract. If you were employed under a DoD contract and your employer collaborates with DoD’s ASIV Support Team (DAS-T, formerly known as Project Rabbit), we may be able to confirm your employment and obtain a recommendation through DoD’s employment verification process. Be sure to submit all the other supporting documents that you can.
If you provide a Statement of Unavailability instead of an HR employment letter and/or a Letter of Recommendation, and the COM-designee cannot verify your employment and/or obtain a recommendation through an employer verification program, the COM-designee will NOT approve your application. Without verification of your employment and recommendation, the COM-designee cannot positively determine whether you qualify for Special Immigrant status and grant COM approval.
Can you help me contact my former supervisor?
No, the COM-designee and National Visa Center are not able to assist in locating your former supervisor or employer.
What are employment and recommendation verification programs like DAS-T?
Some U.S. government agencies participate in employment verification programs as part of the Chief of Mission (COM) process. DoD’s ASIV Support Team (DAS-T, formerly known as Project Rabbit) is an example of one such program.
Under these programs, U.S. government agencies contact employers who had U.S. government contracts to confirm an applicant’s employment and obtain a supervisor recommendation. Not all agencies or employers participate in an employment verification program.
Employment verification programs only verify employment and obtain recommendations for the COM approval process. These programs cannot provide emergency assistance.
The employment verification process happens automatically if your employer participates in such a program. You cannot submit your own case to an employment verification program; you must apply for COM approval through the National Visa Center as explained in the Instructions for Applying for Chief of Mission Approval. The COM-designee will consider any information received through an employment verification program, as well as your other COM approval application materials, to determine whether you are eligible for Special Immigrant status.
The COM-designee will process your application even if your employer does not participate in one of the employment verification programs.
Which employers use employment and recommendation verification programs like DAS-T?
The list of participating agencies and employers changes frequently. If your employer uses an employment and recommendation verification system, your COM review materials will automatically go through that system based on your employer. The COM designee will process your application even if your employer does not use one of the employment and recommendation verification programs.
IMPORTANT: If you do not submit a letter of employment or a letter of recommendation and if the U.S. government is unable to verify your employment and recommendation, the COM generally cannot approve your COM application.
Can I get Chief of Mission approval if my employment record includes disciplinary action against me?
It depends. You might still qualify for Chief of Mission (COM) approval even if your employer has a record of a disciplinary action in your employment file. A disciplinary action does not mean an automatic rejection of your request for COM approval. But it will be harder for you to demonstrate a history of faithful and valuable service if a disciplinary action was taken against you. The COM-designee will consider how serious the situation was and whether your whole employment record, including the disciplinary action, demonstrates faithful and valuable service.
If my spouse or parent applied and then died, do I qualify for an SIV?
You may, if your spouse/parent met the eligibility requirements before death and listed you as a family member planning to immigrate to the United States with them. You must submit a new DS-157 form in your name and with your signature, answering yes to question 4 and providing answers to questions 4a-4e. Each surviving derivative (spouse or child) must submit a new DS-157 form.
I think my spouse or parent’s work qualified them for an Afghan Special Immigrant Visa, but they died before filing a COM Application. Can I file one for them now?
Yes, you can submit a request for Chief of Mission (COM) approval based on the qualifying employment of your deceased spouse or parent. You must show that your spouse/parent had qualifying employment and that your family relationship to your spouse/parent existed at the time of their death. File a DS-157 form in your name and with your signature. Give your spouse or parent’s information in section 4.
Can I receive COM approval if I worked on a classified contract?
Yes, you may qualify for Special Immigrant status and be granted COM approval if you worked under a classified contract. You and your employer must provide the contract name or contract number in the HR Employment Letter so that the COM-designee can verify the contract. See https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/special-immg-visa-afghans-employed-us-gov/afghan-com-approval-instructions.html#letter
What Petition Form should I submit with my application?
Most new Afghan SIV applicants no longer need to file a Form I-360 petition with USCIS. Instead, they only need to file the DS-157 form and include it with their COM application.
Some applicants still need to file an I-360 petition.
Follow the Form I-360 petition process with USCIS if:
*An unsigned Form DS-157 has been filled out but does not contain the applicant’s signature
My I-360 is pending with USCIS. What do I do?
You do not have to do anything else. USCIS will continue to process your petition. If USCIS approves your petition it will send it to NVC. NVC then will send you instructions on how to continue your SIV application process.
How do I fill out and submit the I-360?
Submit the following documents to USCIS Nebraska Service Center:
I received a notice that my Chief of Mission approval was withdrawn. Why did that happen and is there anything I can do?
A withdrawal of COM approval is based on new, credible information that would have led to a COM denial had that information been known to the COM-designee at the time of initial review.
You may appeal the withdrawal of a previous COM approval one time, in writing, via email to AfghanSIVApplication@state.gov. You must submit any appeal no more than 120 days from the date of the email informing you of the withdrawal. Information and documents submitted after 120 days will not be considered. In your appeal, ask the Department of State to reopen the COM withdrawal decision. In an attachment to your email, explain why you believe the COM withdrawal decision was incorrect. You should include any new documentation relevant to your case.
How do I add a new spouse or child to my application?
If you marry or have a child and have not yet travelled to the United States, you can add them to the original petition.
If you have an interview date, contact the U.S. embassy or consulate where you will have the interview. Notify them that you want to add your new spouse or child to the petition. Request to add them to the interview appointment.
If you don't have an interview date, contact NVCSIV@state.gov. Notify them that you want to add your new spouse or child to the petition.
If you are already in the United States, see the Afghanistan Family Reunification page.
What happens after I receive COM approval?
After you receive COM approval, NVC will create a new immigrant visa case for you. NVC will also ask you to upload the DS-260 via the CEAC portal and to email other civil documents to NVCSIV@state.gov.
If I am in Afghanistan, can I have my interview at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul?
No. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul suspended operations on August 31, 2021. Consular services, including visa services, remain available outside Afghanistan. For more information, see Pick an Interview Location Outside of Afghanistan (Requesting Case Reassignment).
How do I request relocation assistance out of Afghanistan?
Relocation assistance is currently suspended.
Is an in-person interview required?
Yes. You need an in-person interview after you receive petition approval. At the interview, a consular officer will determine if you are eligible for a visa.
Do my spouse and children need to go to the interview?
It depends. A spouse traveling with you must attend the interview. Children aged 14 and older must attend the interview. Children under 14 do not need to attend the interview. For spouse and children who will follow to join, they do not need to attend your interview, but will need to attend an interview at a later time. See Bringing your Family to the U.S. for more information.
What documents should I bring to the visa interview?
Please bring:
For civil document requirements for each country, please visit the Document Finder.
May an attorney or other representative go with me to the visa interview?
Yes, at your own expense. The U.S. government will not pay for an attorney or other representative.
Will the U.S. government pay for me to travel to the interview or for my accommodations at the interview site?
No. Applicants are responsible for any costs associated with attending the interview. These costs include accommodations in the city where the interview will take place. Please be aware that the interview process may take more than one day. For example, you will not be able to complete your medical examination and interview on the same day.
Can the U.S. government help me with admission to another country for my visa interview?
No. The government of the other country will decide whether to admit you. If your interview is in a country that you do not have permission to enter, please contact the U.S. embassy or consulate where your case is currently scheduled for interview and cancel your interview. If there is another U.S. embassy or consulate in a country that you do have permission to enter, you may contact that U.S. embassy or consulate and ask if they will accept the transfer of your case.
Is there a visa application fee?
No. There is no application fee for an Afghan SIV. You are only responsible for paying all costs associated with the medical examination if you self-relocate.
If my application is approved, will I receive a visa on the same day as my interview?
No. Even if your visa interview is successful, you will not receive your visa on the same day. The consular section usually requires a few days to print approved visas.
Is a medical examination required for SIV applicants?
Yes.
My question wasn’t answered here. Where can I get more information about my pending visa?
If your case has been scheduled for an interview, please contact the U.S. embassy or consulate that is handling your case. You can find their contact information at http://www.usembassy.gov.
If your case has not been scheduled for an interview, please email NVCSIV@state.gov.
May my family go with me or follow to join me in the United States?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children (under age 21) may go with you to the United States. For more information, see 3.1.
How do I add a new spouse or child to my application after I arrive in the U.S.?
They may also follow to join you in the United States. For more information, see Bringing your family to the U.S. After You Arrive.
If admitted to the United States, do I get U.S. citizenship? If so, how long does it take?
When admitted to the United States as an SIV beneficiary you will have lawful permanent resident (LPR) status. You will receive your LPR card (also known as a green card) in the mail. Most LPRs are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship after residing for five (5) years in the United States.
For more information, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
Afghan translators and interpreters may also qualify for a separate SIV category. For more information, see Special Immigrant Visas for Iraqi and Afghan Translators/Interpreters.
