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.

NOTE: This information is affected by new policies as of January 20, 2025 and will be updated soon.

Summary

This guide gives information to Afghans who worked for the U.S. government or a U.S. contractor applying for a Special Immigrant Visa. It gives information on how to search for your former supervisor or employer on the internet.

For more information on what your letter of recommendation and employment verification letter should include, please see this guide.

Where to search for your supervisor:

• Reach out to any of your supervisors whose names you know. The more people you contact, the more likely you are to get a positive response.
• Reach out in as many ways as possible.
• Some supervisors have common names. For example, a common first and last name in the U.S. is Mike Johnson. Many people would have this name. You might find a profile on social media with the same name. You can include a sentence saying, “I am hoping that you are the Mike Johnson who used to supervise me.”
• If the supervisor has a common name, it can also be helpful to look at pictures of your supervisor, which can help to identify the supervisor.

These are websites that some individuals have found helpful in searching for their supervisors:

• LinkedIn.com Many supervisors are on LinkedIn. Search in the top search bar for your supervisor’s name. Then, on the left side of the screen, you can filter results. Filter using the ‘current employer’ or ‘former employer’ filter.
• Facebook.com You can reach out and communicate with potential supervisors and employers on Facebook. Search the name and filter for the individual’s employment. 

How to Email Your Former Supervisor or Employer

• If your supervisor has a military or academic title, address them by the title in your initial outreach for assistance. Otherwise, use “Ms.” or “Mr.”
• Give your name. If you had a nickname, tell your supervisor or employer your nickname. They might remember your nickname more than your legal name.
• Give the dates and location that you worked with the supervisor or employer.
• Include a picture of you. If you have one, include a photo of you with the supervisor or other U.S. military or government employee.
• Explain that you are applying to move to the U.S. through the Special Immigrant Visa program. Explain the danger that you have faced because of your work.
• Explain that you need a letter of recommendation or HR letter for your application.
• If you have an old letter from them, you should attach that letter to your email.
• Send this information from the U.S. State Department about the requirements for a letter of recommendation or HR letter.
• Thank them for considering your request. Be respectful, polite, and patient.