Immigration status and benefits for Afghan in the U.S.

Important updates for Afghan nationals

There are new U.S. government rules that affect Afghan nationals. We will update this page as soon as we learn more.

All visa processing for Afghan passport holders is paused.

• This pause is only for final decisions. 
• The National Visa Center (NVC) is continuing to collect documents and accept visa applications. 
• U.S. embassies and consulates are still interviewing visa applicants for all visa types. 
• However, at the end of the interviews, U.S. embassies and consulates have stopped issuing all visas for people who use an Afghan passport. This includes immigrant visas, non-immigrant visas, and Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs).
• The government has also paused decisions on Chief of Mission applications for those applying for SIVs .
• If a visa was approved but not issued yet, officers must cancel it.
• Afghans who have already received an SIV or other visa can continue to travel to the U.S. at this time.
• The SIV program ends December 31, 2025. After this date, no new SIV applications can be submitted.
• Afghan SIVs can still apply for and receive support from resettlement agencies. 

Refugee resettlement for Afghan nationals is also paused.

• The U.S. government is not processing new refugee travel for Afghans right now.
• Refugee cases that were already in process are also on hold while the government creates new security rules.
• We do not know when refugee processing will restart.

Immigration applications for Afghans are paused because Afghanistan is on the travel ban list.

• The U.S. government is pausing immigration applications for all 19 travel ban countries.
• If you have already applied for a benefit, including a Green Card or naturalization, your case is on hold. 
• People can still file immigration applications, but the government will not make any decisions on these applications right now.

Asylum decisions for all nationalities are paused.

• People can still apply for asylum, but the government is not making decisions right now.
• Do not file any new applications without talking to an immigration lawyer first.

Possible reviews for Afghans already in the United States

• The U.S. government has said there may be new security reviews for immigration cases of Afghans who are already inside the United States, including those with permanent residence (Green Card holders), SIV, or refugee status.
• We do not know when these reviews will happen, what they will include, or what the outcome will be.

Afghanistan is a travel ban country

• There is a full travel ban for people from Afghanistan. This means you are not allowed to enter the U.S. unless you are a Permanent Resident or U.S. Citizen, or have already been granted refugee or asylee status.
• Beginning January 1, 2026, Afghan SIV holders and certain U.S. government-affiliated SIVs will be included in the expanded travel ban. These groups will no longer have special exceptions. Only in very rare cases will the U.S. government consider an exception.

Bạn có thể làm gì bây giờ

• Talk to a qualified immigration lawyer or legal representative before taking action on your case.
• Do not travel outside the United States. If you leave the U.S., you may not be able to return. If you need to travel, talk to an immigration lawyer first.
• Do not submit new applications until you get legal guidance.
• If you get a letter or notice from USCIS or another U.S. government office, do not ignore it. Read it and talk to a legal representative.
• Be prepared for ICE. There has been an increase in ICE arrests of Afghans without permanent status nationwide and in California.
• Get free mental health support from the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) 24/7 helpline in English, Dari, and Pashto.
• Find help with these organizations: Afghan Coalition, Afghan Evac, Muslim for Just Futures, Project ANAR, and Afghan Association of Central Virginia.
• Learn more from IRAP.

We stand with you.  We will continue to share updates and support you as we learn more.

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Các loại tình trạng của người tị nạn Afghanistan

Afghan evacuees could have humanitarian parole, a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), asylum, or refugee status. Most Afghan evacuees will need to file additional paperwork to get legal status that allows them to stay in the USA permanently.

You can apply for more than one immigration status at the same time. Filing an application for asylum at the same time as your SIV application will not slow down the process. Afghans are encouraged to apply for permanent status as soon as possible.

Ân xá nhân đạo

If you are a humanitarian parolee not eligible for the SIV program, your status is temporary. It lasts for up to 2 years. You can apply for re-parole to temporarily extend your protection while you apply for a different status.

Note: Processing of parole applications for Afghans may be paused indefinitely while USCIS reviews its security process. See update at the top of the page.

Parolees can not get a Green Card. You must be approved for a different status to get lawful permanent residence. The best option for Afghan parolees may be to apply for asylum.

Người Afghanistan được đặc xá có đơn xin tái tạm tha, tị nạn hoặc điều chỉnh trạng thái khác đang chờ xử lý vẫn có thể nhận được trợ cấp ngay cả khi thời hạn đặc xá hiện tại của bạn kết thúc.

Quy trình tái tạm tha

Nếu bạn được tạm tha nhân đạo thông qua Chiến dịch chào đón đồng minh (OAW), bạn có thể yêu cầu tái tạm tha. Những yêu cầu này được xem xét theo từng trường hợp cụ thể.

Note: Processing of re-parole applications for Afghans may be paused indefinitely while USCIS reviews its security process. See update at the top of the page.

Nếu yêu cầu của bạn được chấp nhận, bạn có thể tiếp tục sống và làm việc hợp pháp tại USA thêm 2 năm nữa. Bạn vẫn đủ điều kiện để được hưởng các dịch vụ ORR. Chính phủ Hoa Kỳ có thể không cho phép những người được đặc xá nộp đơn xin tái tạm tha lần thứ hai.

Để nộp đơn xin tái tạm tha, bạn phải hoàn thành và nộp Mẫu I-131 đã sửa đổi. Có thể thực hiện việc này trực tuyến hoặc qua thư. Mẫu đơn I-131 sẽ yêu cầu cả việc tái tạm tha và gia hạn giấy phép lao động của bạn. Không cần bất kỳ hình thức nào khác.

Mẹo để yêu cầu tái tạm tha:

• Hãy xem thẻ EAD của bạn để đảm bảo thông tin trùng khớp với thông tin bạn ghi trên biểu mẫu. Bao gồm cách viết tên, ngày sinh và Số Đăng ký Người nước ngoài của bạn.
• Nộp hồ sơ trực tuyến có thể giúp bạn tránh được những sai lầm thường gặp. Nếu bạn chọn nộp hồ sơ trực tuyến, bạn sẽ cần có tài khoản myUSCIS.
• Nộp hồ sơ càng sớm càng tốt để bạn không có nguy cơ bị gián đoạn tình trạng và mất quyền hưởng các quyền lợi và dịch vụ.
• Bạn có thể nộp đơn xin tái tạm tha ngay cả khi bạn đang nộp đơn xin một tình trạng khác, chẳng hạn như tị nạn.
• Xem lại danh sách các tài liệu cần chuẩn bị, bao gồm bản sao EAD và I-94 của bạn. (Danh sách cũng bằng دری / Dari và پښتو / Pashto)
• Xem lại những câu hỏi thường gặp này

Visa định cư đặc biệt (SIV)

You can apply for an SIV if you were employed by the U.S. government, a U.S. contractor, or ISAF in Afghanistan for at least one year. Once you have a Chief of Mission Approval Letter (and, if required, an approved I-360 SIV), you can apply for a Green Card with Form I-485. You may have to attend an interview at your local USCIS office. You may be asked questions related to your status.

Note: SIV applications are on pause. See update at the top of the page.

There is no fee to apply for a Green Card for Afghan SIVs with USCIS. You must pay a fee when filing in Immigration Court.

Xin tị nạn

If you were forced to leave Afghanistan to escape persecution and you do not have SIV or refugee status, you may be eligible for asylum. Applying for asylum is a long process, but it offers a pathway to legally stay in the U.S. permanently.

You typically must file your application within one year of arrival in the USA. You may be eligible to apply after one year if you apply before your parole expires. Learn how to apply for asylum.

Note: Asylum decisions for all nationalities are paused. See update at the top of the page.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXL_oR1psVI&feature=youtu.be)

Once you are approved for asylum, you will be eligible for certain benefits. You can apply for your Green Card one year after your asylum case is approved. You must be physically present in the U.S. for at least one year to apply. You may have to answer questions about your status.

Người tị nạn

Nếu bạn nhập cảnh vào Hoa Kỳ với tư cách là người tị nạn, bạn có thể nộp đơn xin Thẻ xanh sau một năm kể từ ngày đến. Cơ quan tái định cư có thể giúp bạn tìm sự trợ giúp pháp lý để hoàn thành đơn xin này.

Note: Refugee resettlement for Afghan nationals is also paused. There may be reviews of the status of Afghan refugees already in the United States. See update at the top of the page.

Tình trạng Được Bảo Vệ Tạm Thời (TPS)

TPS Afghanistan ended on July 21, 2025. You can no longer apply for or renew TPS Afghanistan.

Green card

Many Afghans, including refugees, asylees, SIVs, and their families, can apply for a Green Card after waiting a certain amount of time. A Green Card allows you to live and work in the USA permanently.

• Learn how to apply for a Green Card.

Note: Decisions on adjustment of status (Green Card) applications may be paused. Green Card holders already in the United States may have their statuses reviewed again. See update at the top of the page.

Giấy phép lao động

You can apply for a work permit or an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) if you have a qualifying status. This includes refugees, asylees, temporary protected status, and parole.

• Learn how to apply for a work permit.

Note: Processing of work permit applications for Afghans may be paused indefinitely while USCIS reviews its security process. See update at the top of the page.

Đoàn tụ với các thành viên trong gia đình

You can apply for your spouse and unmarried children under 21 to come to the USA. There is no fee to apply for Form I-730.

• Người sở hữu Thẻ xanh nộp Mẫu I-130
• Người tị nạn và người xin tị nạn nộp mẫu đơn I-730
• Người sở hữu Thẻ xanh SIV nộp Mẫu I-824
• Người được ân xá nộp đơn DS-4317

Note: Processing of family-based applications for Afghans may be paused indefinitely while USCIS reviews its security process. See update at the top of the page.

Public benefits and ORR services

The U.S. government offers public benefits for essential services, including food, housing, healthcare, and education. You may be eligible for public benefits based on your immigration status and state rules.

• Learn more about public benefits.

Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) services help refugees, asylees, SIV holders, and other new immigrants pay for basic needs as they settle in the United States.

Một số phúc lợi và dịch vụ của ORR đã ngừng hoặc thay đổi do các chính sách của chính quyền Trump. Các cơ quan tái định cư đã khởi động lại các dịch vụ hạn chế để hỗ trợ người tị nạn mới đến và SIV Afghanistan.

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