Collecting Documents for a COM Application

The Afghan SIV application process begins with the pre-COM stage.  At this stage, the applicant must submit a COM application via email to AfghanSIVApplication@state.gov.

A COM application includes four (4) documents:

(1) DS-157 Form - Petition for Special Immigrant Classification for Afghan SIV Applicants;

(2) Letter of Employment (LOE);

(3) Letter of Recommendation (LOR); and

(4) Evidence of Afghan Nationality.

OPTIONAL:  Your Employment Badge. If you have a badge from your employer(s), you should scan and send a copy of your badge(s) with the required documents.

Please review the Instructions for Applying for Chief of Mission Approval for more details.  Please do not submit anything other than what is listed unless the Department of State asks you to do so.

For information on how to submit these documents, see the scanning instructions listed under the Pre-COM Application Process FAQ section.

Unavailable COM Application Documents

If you believe you are eligible but cannot get a Letter of Employment or Letter of Recommendation, you may still apply for COM approval but must:

(1)    Write and send a Statement of Unavailability that clearly and briefly explains why the Letter of Employment or Letter of Recommendation is unavailable; and

(2)    Send any other employment documents that are available.

In certain cases, the U.S. government may be able to verify your letters of employment and obtain a recommendation.

IMPORTANT:  If you do not submit a Letter of Employment and/or Letter of Recommendation and if the U.S. government is unable to verify your employment and obtain a recommendation, the COM designee cannot approve your COM application.

National Visa Center (NVC)’s Response

Once NVC reviews your case, you will receive an email stating one of the following:

A. Missing Documents or Corrections Required

If a missing document or correction is needed:

(1) You will receive an email from NVC requesting the missing document or corrections.

(2) Follow the instructions listed in the email requesting the missing document or corrections.

(3) Refer to Unavailable COM Application Documents and missing documents.

(4) Refer to the scanning instructions listed under the Pre-COM Application Process FAQ section.

(5) Reply to AfghanSIVApplication@state.gov with the missing document or corrections.

(6) Do not change the subject line of the email.

B. Documentarily Complete

When NVC determines you have provided all required documents, your case will be documentarily complete.

NVC will email you stating your case is documentarily complete.

NVC will then refer your case for COM review. See Step 2 below for more information. 

Instructions for Applying for COM Approval

SIV Petition

Starting July 20, 2022, most new Afghan SIV applicants only need to submit the DS-157 form with their COM application. Some applicants may still need to file a petition with USCIS.

Please see the FAQ section to determine if you need to file a petition with USCIS, and if so, confirm where and how you need to submit your petition.

COM Review

For most cases, the COM designee will review the COM application, including the Form DS-157 petition.  The COM designee will decide whether to approve the application or to deny it.  This review process can take months to complete.  Please see the Quarterly Reports for the most recent average processing times.

When the COM review process is complete, the COM designee will inform NVC if your application is approved or denied.  NVC will then notify you of the decision via email to the address you provided in your application.

You will receive an email with one of the following:

A. COM Approval Letter

The COM designee approved your application.  The letter will tell you what to do next.

B. COM Denial Letter

The COM designee denied your application.  The letter will tell you why. 

Appeal of COM Denial

You may ask the COM designee to reopen the COM denial by filing an appeal.  You can only do this once in writing via email.  You must file the appeal or intention to appeal the COM decision no more than 120 days after getting the denial letter. 

In your appeal, you should state that you want the Department of State to reopen the COM decision.  You should provide a detailed explanation for why the COM should approve your appeal.  The explanation should include any new documentation relevant to your case.  

Read your denial 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."

If you receive COM approval, NVC will send you a Welcome Letter by e-mail.  The e-mail will include instructions on how to complete and submit the visa application package.  The application package includes the DS-260 form and other supporting documents.

NOTE:  Only applicants outside the United States need to submit a visa application.  Applicants already in the United States should refer to the USCIS website.  If a COM-approved SIV holder is in the United States but their derivative family members are still in Afghanistan, visit the Afghanistan Family Reunification webpage.

Note: If you are in the United States, you may also want to consider applying for asylum.  You may learn more about the asylum process here:  Information for Afghan Nationals | USCIS

Completing the DS-260 Form – Only for Applicants Outside the United States

All SIV applicants and their qualified family members must complete the DS-260 form if they are outside the United States.  

Steps for completing the DS-260 form:

1. Log into your case in CEAC using your case number.
2. Click “START NOW” under “IV Application” on your summary page.
3. Fill out the information as applicable.
4. Click “SUBMIT” when you have completed the Form DS-260.
5. Print the confirmation page – You must bring the printout of the confirmation page to your visa interview.  You can print this from CEAC any time after you complete your DS-260 application.

Collecting the Supporting Documents

Required Documents:

You must include the following supporting documents for each applicant:

• A copy of passport biographical page.
• Copy of birth certificate/tazkera.
• Copy of marriage (Nekah Khat or Sharaei Waseqa Khat) or divorce certificate(s) (if applicable).
• Copy of any other civil documents proving relationship
• Police certificates (ONLY if you have lived outside of Afghanistan for more than 12 months since reaching the age of 16).
• A completed Refugee Benefits Election Form (PDF - 364 KB). Please refer to our Resettlement Assistance for more information on resettlement benefits.
• A completed DS-0234, Special Immigrant Visa Biodata Form (PDF - 312 KB).
• Certified Translations for all documents not in English – The translation must include a statement signed by the translator stating that:
• The translation is accurate, and
• The translator is competent to translate.

For civil document requirements for each country, please visit the Document Finder.

Information on Missing Documents:

If you are missing a required document and the country-specific guidelines state that it is unavailable you do not need to scan the document into the CEAC.

If you are missing a required document that is not listed as unavailable in the country-specific guidelines, you must submit a detailed written explanation to NVC why you do not have this document and cannot get it.  

During your visa interview, the consular officer will determine whether you must obtain the missing document before a visa can be issued.

As a general rule, you will need to provide any document that is listed as “available” on the country-specific guidelines.

Failure to send all required documents will delay your case.

Submitting the Visa Application Package

When you collect all required documents, you must scan and save them.

After you scan all required documents, attach each scan to an email and send it to NVCSIV@state.gov.

The email’s subject line must contain the case number provided on your Welcome Letter.

NVC’s Response

You will receive an automatic response confirming the receipt of your email. 

Once NVC reviews your case, you will receive an email stating one of the following:

A. Missing Documents or Corrections Required

If a missing document or a correction is needed:

• You will receive an email request for the missing document or corrections.
• Follow the instructions listed on the email request for missing documents or corrections.
• Refer to information on missing documents included in the PRE-COM Application section.
• Refer to the scanning requirements included in the PRE-COM Application FAQ section.
• Reply to NVCSIV@state.gov with the missing documents or corrections.
• Do not change the subject line of the email.

B. Documentarily Complete

When NVC determines you have provided all required documents, your case will be documentarily complete.

NVC will email you stating your case is documentarily complete.

At this stage, Department of State’s Office of Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) will send you an email and will require the following information:

• Where you are physically located.
• Whether you would like relocation assistance.

For additional information please go to step 4 for relocation assistance.  If you are self-relocating and do not require relocation assistance from CARE, please go to Step 4: Visa Process – Part 2.

C. Termination of Registration:

If you fail to respond to notices from NVC for a year, the Department of State will terminate your petition.

The Department of State may reinstate your petition if you show that you didn't respond for reasons beyond your control.  You must do this within two years of when NVC last contacted you.  Otherwise, you will lose the benefits of that petition, such as your priority date.

If you have an approved petition, but have not heard from NVC, please email NVCSIV@state.gov.

Before the Interview

Become Interview Ready

NVC will determine if your case is "interview ready."  

To assist NVC in making the "interview-ready" determination, please make sure NVC has the following information:

• Your updated contact information,
• physical location (Afghanistan or elsewhere),
• case number, and
• date of birth.  

You must provide an email address to facilitate communication with NVC.  You may contact NVC by email at NVCSIV@state.gov.

Option 1 - Request Relocation Assistance (Optional)

CARE plans the logistics of relocating eligible Afghans who cannot self-relocate. It does so via flight relocations to overseas case processing sites. There are also relocations via ground transportation.

NVC notifies SIV applicants when their case becomes “Interview Ready”. At that point, CARE contacts the SIV primary applicant to arrange relocation assistance.

If CARE can relocate the applicant, CARE will transfer the case to the U.S. embassy or consulate for interview.  Applicants who wish to participate in relocation via CARE should NOT transfer their cases to a different embassy.

For more information, please visit CARE’s Afghan Inquiries page.

If you are not requesting relocation assistance, please see section "Option 2 - Pick an Interview Location Outside of Afghanistan" below.

Option 2 - Pick an Interview Location Outside of Afghanistan (Requesting Case Reassignment)

If you are requesting relocation assistance as described in option 1 above, please skip this section and move to section Receive an Interview appointment.

The U.S. Embassy Kabul is not providing visa interviews in Afghanistan.  For this reason, if you do not receive relocation assistance from CARE, you must pick another U.S. embassy or consulate that provides visa interviews.

You must pick a location that you can travel to and where you can remain for the time it takes to complete the visa process, including undergoing any necessary medical exams, going to the U.S. embassy or consulate for your interview, and completing any steps after the interview required to establish your eligibility for the visa.

If you cannot safely depart Afghanistan or support yourself and your eligible family members for the duration of a possibly lengthy stay in a third country, please do not request reassignment of your case. When you are safely able to leave Afghanistan, you should then request that NVC schedule your case at the U.S. embassy or consulate of your choice, as described below.

To request reassignment of your case to a U.S. embassy or consulate in another country, you must email NVC your request with the following information:

• Your full name,
• Your date of birth,
• NVC case number, and
• The embassy name/location where you wish to have your interview.

You are not required to transfer your case to another embassy or consulate for processing if you qualify for and wish to pursue Relocation Assistance.

Receive an Interview Appointment

NVC can only schedule an "interview-ready" case when there are available appointments.

NVC will send you an email when they schedule your interview.  The email will have your appointment date and time.

NVC will send you instructions, including guidance for obtaining a medical examination.

Medical Examinations and Vaccinations

You must complete a medical examination after your visa interview if you self-relocate.  You also need to get any required vaccinations.  See the list of required vaccinations for more information.

Only an authorized doctor can do the medical examination.  NVC will send you instructions and a list of authorized doctors.

If you are self-relocating, you are responsible for scheduling your medical examination appointment.  Otherwise, CARE will help you as part of the relocation process.  Applicants relocating with CARE assistance need to complete the medical examination before the interview.

The Visa Interview

What to Expect

Each applicant should:

• Bring a valid passport.
• Bring all original civil documents that you provided electronically to NVC.

The consular officer will:

• Ask you questions related to your employment and family.
• Review your medical examination.
• Take digital fingerprints for you and your family.
• Return any original civil documents and original translations to you.
• Determine if you are eligible to receive the SIV based on U.S. immigration law.
• Inform you of their decision.  The consular officer will either approve or deny the case.

        If they deny your case due to missing documents or other needed steps, they will inform you of any required actions.

        You will also be informed if they deny your case due to the need for administrative processing.  For more information, see administrative processing.

Visa Ineligibility

Certain conditions and activities may make an applicant ineligible for a visa.

Examples include drug trafficking, overstaying a previous U.S. visa, and submitting fraudulent documents.

If you are ineligible for a visa, the consular officer will tell you.  The consular officer will also tell you if a waiver of the ineligibility is available to you.

Please see the complete list of Ineligibilities and Waivers for more information.

Misrepresentation of Material Facts or Fraud

Misrepresenting a material fact on purpose may make you ineligible for a U.S. visa forever.

Committing fraud may also result in you becoming ineligible to receive a U.S. visa forever.

Visa Processing Time

The length of time it takes to process visa cases varies from case to case.  Some cases take longer because applicants do not follow instructions.  Other cases are refused for administrative processing and cannot be re-adjudicated until the administrative processing is complete.  For more information, see administrative processing.

The U.S. government funds the Reception and Placement (R&P) program and has cooperative agreements with ten resettlement agencies.  These agencies have many offices across the United States.  There will be a resettlement agency near the town where you will resettle, unless you opt for Virtual R&P and choose to settle near your U.S. Tie with a virtual resettlement agency.

The agencies receive refugees and SIV beneficiaries upon their arrival in the United States.  The agencies help beneficiaries become self-sufficient as fast as possible.  You will receive their support for up to 90 days after you arrive in the United States.

During your first weeks in the United States, you should expect a resettlement agency to:

• Provide funds you can use to pay for your rent and/or basic necessities.  You may receive part of these funds in cash for daily needs.
• Ensure you have housing for your first 30 days.
• Assist with enrolling your children in school.
• Assist you with access to English language classes, if necessary.

With help from the resettlement agency, if needed, you will need to:

• Access employment services - it is your responsibility to find and maintain employment.
• Learn to use public transportation (you will not receive a car).
• Begin to learn about U.S. customs and law.
• Access community services such as social, medical, and food stamp services.
• Find out about other government services and programs and how to access them.

Below is the list of resettlement agencies and their websites.

Note:  If you have requested relocation assistance sponsored by the U.S. government, CARE will request information prior your relocation from Afghanistan about your U.S. Tie (family member, friend, or a former colleague) willing to assist you upon arrival.  Your U.S. Tie will work with the resettlement agency to ensure your successful resettlement.

For additional information and instructions on how and when to apply please see the resettlement benefits FAQ section.

The U.S. government is committed to helping U.S. citizens and Afghans in the United States reunite with their family members who remain in Afghanistan.  CARE works to relocate eligible Afghan allies, including those who qualify for SIVs.  For more information and eligibility criteria, visit the Afghanistan Family Reunification page.