This article was last updated on July 13, 2026  

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: 

As of July 10, 2026, the following are in effect:

1. There is a travel ban preventing Afghan nationals from entering the United States or receiving visas, including SIVs. 
2. U.S. refugee processing is currently paused. 
3. The U.S. government is no longer accepting new COM applications.

While this article provides resources for some immigration pathways that may be generally relevant to you, please note that some of these pathways may not be immediately available. Please read the resources carefully to understand what options may be available to you.

If you fled Afghanistan and want to move to the United States:

If you had a Special Immigrant Visa or other case at the U.S. Embassy Kabul and are now outside of Afghanistan but not in the United States, read IRAP’s guide “Can I transfer my SIV application?” here. 

Even if you do not have a pending case, you may be eligible to apply for an immigration pathway to the United States. This website has many resources about U.S. immigration pathways:

• Guides for people who are applying to the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program.
• A guide about the new Afghan P-2 refugee program. 
• A guide for US-based media organizations and NGOs that employed Afghans.
• A guide for reuniting with family members in the U.S. 
• Guides for family members in the U.S. to reunite with relatives abroad
  • A guide for refugees and asylees in the U.S. to reunite with their relatives
  • A guide for U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to reunite with their relatives; and 
  • A guide for SIV applicants to obtain SIVs for their spouse and children.
  • A guide explaining the basics of humanitarian parole for people who are not eligible for SIVs or any other kind of visa.

IRAP’s guide on what to expect at a U.S. airport upon arrival is here.

If you are in the U.S. and need legal help:

You may be eligible to apply for asylum, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) status, or another status. You should consult an immigration lawyer.

• A list of free immigration legal service providers in the United States is available here.
• A list of private immigration attorneys in the United States is available here.

If you are in Afghanistan and seeking to apply to a U.S. immigration option:

There is no U.S. visa processing available for people who are in Afghanistan at this time. You will have to self-relocate to a country with a U.S. embassy or consulate to move forward with any U.S. immigration options you may be eligible for.

Be careful about sharing information about you and your family’s information if someone you do not know asks about your applications.

If you are looking for options about immigration to EU countries

Another resource with information about immigration options for France, India, Ireland, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States are the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN)’s Legal Information Sheets for Afghans, available here in English and Dari.