Iraqi and Afghan Translators/Interpreters (SI) Visa for the U.S.

Special Immigrant Visas (SI) is eligible for those Iraqi and Afghan citizens who work as interpreters and translators who have worked directly with the U.S. Armed Forces or under Chief of Mission (COM) authority in U.S. Embassy Baghdad or U.S. Embassy Kabul.

You should meet up the following requirements to apply for this visa:

• You should be a citizen of Iraq or Afghanistan
• You should have worked directly with the U.S. Armed Forces or under COM authority as a interpreter or translator for at least 12 months
• You should have acquired a promising written recommendation letter as a translator or interpreter from a General or Flag Officials in the chain of command of the U.S. Armed Forces unit or from the Chief of Mission from the consulate where you worked.

There are several steps to apply for an SI visa. These are the following:

Filing the petition: At first, you must file a petition with USCIS. You have to submit the following documents directly to the USCIS Nebraska Service Center:

• An adequately applied completed Form I-360
• Your passport or nationality/birth certificate copies showing which proves that you are a national of Iraq or Afghanistan. The documents must be in English. If not then a certified English translation attaches to the documents
• Evidence of your working experience for at least 12 months as a translator/interpreter served at first hand with the U.S. Armed Forces or under COM jurisdiction
• Evidence of checking and screening the background by the U.S. Armed Forces or the COM
• a promising written recommendation letter as a translator or interpreter from a General or Flag Officials in the chain of command of the U.S. Armed Militaries unit or from the Chief of Mission from the consulate where you worked in Baghdad or Kabul
• Payment for the fees of filing petition

Reimburse the application fee: You must pay this due to being able to remain with the rest of the application stages. Also, the visa petition fee, other dues may apply dependent on the affiliation of your country, and the U.S termed visa issuance charges. After you have paid the dues, you must save the money receipts and affix them to the documents file.

Make ready your document file:  

• For Iraqi SI visa application: To apply for the permit, you must submit the following forms and documents for yourself and all family members:

  • A completed Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa, and Alien Registration Application.
  • Passport biodata page copies of each applicant.  You should have an A or G series Iraqi passport which is valid for travel to the United States. 
  • Birth certificate scanned copies and Family Book (Copy of Entry 1957) for each applicant, and other documents presenting evidence of the relationship between you and your spouse and/or minor children (e.g. marriage certificate, adoption documents, etc.).  The Iraqi national identity card (bataqa shaksiya) can be used in place of a birth certificate If there is no birth certificate is available.
  • If you lived in Iraq for at least six months since reaching age 16, then you require to submit a police certificate from Iraq.  But If you resided in a different country for further than one year since accomplishment age 16, then you require to conform a police certificate from the authorities of that locality.
  • Refugee Benefits Election Form (must be completed)
  • DS-0234, Special Immigrant Visa Biodata Form (must be completed)

• For Afghan SI visa application: To apply for the permit, you must submit the following forms and documents for yourself and all family members:

  • A completed Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application.
  • Passport biodata page copies of each applicant. Each passport should be valid for a minimum of 12 months beyond the estimated visa interview date.
  • Birth certificate scanned copies/taskera for each applicant, and other documents presenting evidence of the affiliation amid you and your spouse and/or minor children (e.g. marriage (Nikah Khet) and adoption documents, etc.)
  • If you are a citizen of Afghanistan, you don’t require to submit a police certificate. But If you resided in a diverse country for more than one year since accomplishment age 16, then you require to submit a police certificate from the authorities of that area.
  • Refugee Benefits Election Form (must be completed)
  • DS-0234, Special Immigrant Visa Biodata Form (must be completed)

An accurate English translation signed by the translator must be attached along with these documents.

Appear the interview: To determine your eligibility for the SI, an interview will arrange after USCIS has approved your petition. You must be present on the schedule and take your documents. The assessor will ask queries about their background and aim for going to the U.S, and you also have to submit fingerprints at the interview.  You also have to show the evidence to the consular officer that you plan to resign from your position to immigrate to the United States. Every family member should have to attend the interview at the embassy, which is applying for a visa with you.