Afghan SIV Anaheim | Special Immigrant Visa Help for Afghan Allies

Quick Answer

Anaheim and Orange County have welcomed many Afghan families who served alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program provides a path to permanent residence for Afghans who worked as translators, interpreters, or in other capacities with U.S. military and government operations. SoCal Immigration Services is committed to helping these brave allies navigate the SIV process.

Reviewed for accuracy by

Maria Santos

DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience

What is the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV)?

The Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program was created to protect Afghans who face ongoing threats because of their service to the United States. The program recognizes the sacrifices made by Afghan nationals who worked with U.S. forces, the U.S. Embassy, or other U.S. government operations in Afghanistan.

SIV recipients and their immediate family members can immigrate to the United States and become lawful permanent residents (green card holders) with a path to citizenship.

Who Qualifies for the Afghan SIV Program?

To qualify for an Afghan Special Immigrant Visa, you must meet these criteria:

•Be an Afghan national (citizenship requirement)
•Have worked for or on behalf of the U.S. government in Afghanistan for at least 2 years (1 year for translators/interpreters)
•Have provided faithful and valuable service (documented by supervisor)
•Have experienced or be experiencing an ongoing serious threat as a consequence of employment
•Have not engaged in any disqualifying conduct
•Be otherwise admissible to the United States

Types of Employment That Qualify

The following types of work may qualify for the Afghan SIV:

•Translator or interpreter for U.S. military
•Translator or interpreter for U.S. Embassy/Consulate
•Employee of the U.S. government in Afghanistan
•Employee of ISAF (International Security Assistance Force)
•Employee of U.S. military contractors in Afghanistan
•Employee of U.S. government-funded programs
•Employee of U.S. media organizations operating in Afghanistan

Required Documents for Afghan SIV

When preparing your SIV application, you'll need:

•DS-157 (Petition for Principal Alien)
•Proof of Afghan nationality (passport, tazkira)
•Employment verification letter from U.S. government supervisor
•Human Resources letter confirming employment dates and position
•Statement describing the threat you face
•Evidence of threat (if available)
•Passport-style photographs
•Police certificates (if available)
•Medical examination results
•Documents for family members (spouse and unmarried children under 21)

Chief of Mission (COM) Approval

A critical step in the Afghan SIV process is obtaining Chief of Mission approval. The COM review assesses:

• Whether your employment was faithful and valuable
• Whether you face a credible threat due to your service
• Your overall eligibility for the program

This recommendation is essential before you can proceed to the visa interview stage.

The Afghan SIV Process Step by Step

1
Gather Employment Documentation
Obtain verification letters from U.S. government supervisor and HR
2
Submit DS-157 Petition
File the SIV petition with the National Visa Center
3
Chief of Mission Review
Await COM approval of your faithful service and threat assessment
4
National Visa Center Processing
Submit required documents to NVC for visa processing
5
Visa Interview
Attend interview at U.S. Embassy (or in the U.S. if paroled)
6
Travel to United States
Receive SIV and travel to the U.S. as a permanent resident

Processing Times and Current Situation

Afghan SIV processing has been significantly affected by the closure of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. Current options include:

Situation	Processing Path	Notes
Already in U.S. (paroled)	File I-485 adjustment	Can adjust status without leaving
Outside Afghanistan	Third-country processing	Interview at nearby embassy
In Afghanistan	Limited options	May need evacuation assistance
COM already approved	Continue to NVC	Proceed with visa processing

Special Considerations for Afghans Paroled into the U.S.

Many Afghans were evacuated and paroled into the United States during Operation Allies Welcome. If you were paroled and have COM approval, you may be able to:

• Adjust status to permanent resident using Form I-485
• Avoid returning abroad for visa processing
• Include your spouse and children in the adjustment

This is often the fastest path for those already in the United States.

Family Members and Derivative Status

Your immediate family members can be included in your SIV application:

•Spouse (must have been married before SIV approval)
•Unmarried children under 21 years old
•Family members receive the same immigrant status as the principal applicant
•Family members who were not included initially may be able to follow-to-join later

Why Choose SoCal Immigration Services?

Serving Anaheim and all of Orange County, we offer:

•Experience with Afghan SIV applications
•Arabic-speaking staff who understand the Afghan community
•Assistance with both consular processing and adjustment of status
•Help gathering required employment documentation
•Support for family members' applications
•Free initial consultation to evaluate your case

FAQFrequently Asked Questions

Q:I was evacuated and paroled—can I still get SIV status?

A: Yes! If you have COM approval or can obtain it, you can adjust status to SIV permanent resident while in the United States using Form I-485. This avoids the need to travel abroad for processing.

Q:My supervisor left the military—how do I get an employment letter?

A: You can request verification from HR or personnel records. We can help you navigate the process of obtaining employment verification from the appropriate U.S. government agencies.

Q:How long does the Afghan SIV process take?

A: Processing times vary significantly depending on your situation. Cases with COM approval already obtained typically move faster. Current wait times range from several months to over a year depending on circumstances.

Q:What if I worked for a U.S. contractor, not directly for the U.S. government?

A: Employment with certain U.S. contractors in Afghanistan may qualify. The key is that your work must have been on behalf of the U.S. government and meet the program requirements.

Q:Can my parents or siblings be included in my SIV?

A: No, only your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can be included. Parents and siblings cannot be derivative beneficiaries, but you can petition for them separately once you become a permanent resident or citizen.

Q:Do you offer services in Arabic?

A: Yes! Our staff speaks Arabic fluently, and we serve the Afghan and broader Middle Eastern community in Anaheim. We can coordinate translation services for Dari and Pashto as needed.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about immigration services in Anaheim and does not constitute legal advice. SoCal Immigration Services is a document preparation company, not a law firm. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed immigration attorney.

Published: January 6, 2026Last Updated: January 6, 2026

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Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Services in Anaheim: Support for Afghan Allies