This article was last updated on March 3, 2025

IMPORTANT SIV UPDATE:

The government has paused issuing visas to Afghan SIV applicants. 

The deadline to file an application for COM approval under the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program was December 31, 2025. 

If you have a pending COM application, the U.S. government has stated that the deadline to submit any outstanding documents for your pending COM application is June 5, 2026.

If you receive a COM denial letter and you are able to appeal it, you should still have 120 days from the date the decision letter was sent to you, even if that date is after June 5, 2026. The June 5, 2026 deadline is only to submit additional documents for a pending application.

You can learn more about what this means for SIV applicants here.

Summary 

If you are an Afghan Special Immigration Visa (SIV) applicant who came to the US with any non-SIV status and you have received Chief of Mission (COM) approval, you may be able to apply for a green card (also known as “Adjustment of Status”) using Form I-485. This guide provides important information about the application process and explains how to apply.

How do I know if this information applies to me?

This article may apply to you if:

1. You’re an Afghan SIV applicant who came to the United States with any non-SIV status, and 
2. You already have COM approval

“Non-SIV status” can include coming to the US with humanitarian parole or entering on a non-immigrant visa (for example, a tourist visa or a transit visa). You can check the stamp in your passport to see if you were paroled into the United States, and if you are wondering about the type of visa that you have, this list from the US government contains all of the different types of American non-immigrant visas.

What is a green card (“adjustment of status”)?

A green card allows you to live and work permanently in the U.S. It is also called “adjustment of status” because it changes your status from someone who is here temporarily (on a visa) to someone who can stay in America permanently. If you qualify, you can apply using Form I-485.

With a green card, you can:

• Stay in the U.S. legally
• Work legally
• Apply for certain family members to join you in the U.S.
• Apply to become a U.S. citizen in the future

How does the process work if you’re an SIV who came to the US on a non-SIV status?

Step 1: Gather everything you need

Before applying for a green card, make sure you have:

Chief of Mission (COM) approval (if required)

This is to make sure that you meet the requirements to be considered for the SIV program. 

• How do I know if I need COM approval?

If you meet the description above, you need to have COM approval unless you applied as an interpreter or translator under Section 1059.

• What does COM approval look like?

Here is an example of a COM approval from before July 20, 2022:

• How do I get COM approval?
  
  If you don’t have COM approval, learn how to apply here.
• I filed an I-360. How do I know if it was approved?
  
  If your I-360 is approved, you will receive a notice of approval, called an I-797. It looks like this:

Your notice will be a “Conditional Approval” notice and say your petition is “approved” or “conditionally approved.”  

Step 2: Apply for a Green Card (Form I-485)

Once you have COM approval and/or I-360 approval, you can file Form I-485 to apply for a green card.

Who Can Apply?

You can file an I-485 application for:

• Yourself
• Your spouse (if they are in the U.S.)
• Your unmarried children under 21 (if they are in the U.S.)

Important: Each family member must submit a separate I-485 application, but you can mail them together in one envelope.

What to Include in Your Application

At a minimum, each application should have:

• Completed and signed Form I-485 (USCIS instructions)
• Two identical passport-sized photos, 2x2 inches in size (Photo guidelines)
• Copy of I-360 approval notice (if required)
• Copy of Afghan passport photo page (if available)
• Copy of Afghan Tazkera or e-Tazkera (if available, with English translation)
• Copy of Form I-94 (the document you received when you entered the United States) 
  • Note: If you don’t have your I-94, you can search for it here. If you don’t have a passport number or A number, you may be able to find it using your tazkera number.
• Medical Exam Form (I-693), sealed 
  • This form must be completed by a civil surgeon (a doctor who is certified to complete medical exams and I-693 forms). This tool can help you find a civil surgeon near you.
  • You may still be required to complete this even if you were paroled at a military base and received a medical exam while there. 

There are also additional requirements for applications you are filing for your spouse or your children.

Applications for your spouse should also include:

• A copy of your marriage certificate (if available) 
  • This should also include an English translation and a certificate of translation.

Applications for your children should also include:

• A copy of a birth certificate or tazkera, if available, showing the father’s name if possible
  • This should also include an English translation and a certificate of translation. 

Where to Mail Your Application

Send your application to: 

USCIS
Attn: AFGHAN NFB (Box 21281)
1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S, Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034-4850

No Filing Fee: Write "AFGHAN SIV OPERATION ALLIES WELCOME" on every page to show you don’t need to pay.

How can I get notified when the form is received?

If you want to get an email and/or a text message when your green card application is received, you will need to attach another form called a G-1145. This form asks the US government to notify you electronically when they get your application. Instructions on how to file this form can be found here.

After you submit your application

Receipt Notice (Form I-797)

After applying, you’ll get a receipt notice from USCIS.

• If you sent Form G-1145, you will get an email and mail notification.
• If not, you will only get a mail notification.

Please note that this notification only means that your application has arrived. It does not mean that USCIS has decided your case. 

Notification of status and/or next steps

After your application has been received, you should eventually get a notification from USCIS about the status of your petition. It may say that your application has been approved or denied. It might also say that a decision has not been made and that USCIS needs more evidence or to have an interview with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Apply for a Green Card and Asylum at the Same Time?

Yes, but talk to an immigration attorney about your situation.

How Long Does the Process Take?

Processing time varies. In the past, it took 6-12 months on average.

What if I change my address?

If you move, update your address with USCIS here.

What if I do not understand a question on the form or I am worried about how answering a question may affect my eligibility?

If you are not sure how to fill out part of the form or if you have a concern about your eligibility, you should speak to an immigration attorney. You can search for free or low cost immigration legal services providers in your area here.