Special Immigrant Visa Program

11 October 2008

04/18/23

Types of Programs

• Special Immigrant Visa Translator Program • Expanded Special Immigrant Visa Program• Refugee Resettlement Program

04/18/23

SIV Translator Program

• This program (SISVP/ SIVTP) is closed as of 10 October 2008

SIV Translator ProgramContact Information

• If you have an approved I-360 petition, please contact the National Visa Center at NVCSIV@state.gov

• If you have an immigrant visa interview scheduled, please contact the embassy where the interview will be scheduled. You can find a list of our embassies at http://usembassy.gov/

04/18/23

Expanded SIV Program

• Completely different than Translator Program:– Open to all Iraqis that work with the US Government, not

just translators– New application procedures are now published– This program will be available starting 1 OCT 08 and is

open to 5,000 applicants every FY for the next five years

Expanded SIV ProgramWho can apply?

• Must be a national of Iraq• Must have been employed by, or on behalf of the US Gov in

Iraq, on or after March 20, 2003, for at least 1yr.• Must have provided faithful and valuable service to the US

Gov which is documented in a letter of recommendation from the employee’s supervisor and is approved by the COM

• Must be able to clear a background check and appropriate screening as determined by the Sec. of Homeland Security

• Spouses and minor unmarried children of the principle applicant

Expanded SIV ProgramStep 1

• Gather the following and submit via email to iraqSIVapplication@state.gov :– A favorable written recommendation from your

direct US supervisor showing faithful service for a period of 12 months

– DS-157– Threat statements by you, your supervisor or any

witness

Expanded SIV ProgramStep 2- Documents to send to USCIS

• COM Approval (will get this via email when step 1 is complete)

• I-360• Copy of G series passport, birth certificate or jensia

with certified English translation• Letter of Recommendation from supervisor• If you apply while in the US, include a copy (front and

back) of form I-94

NOTE: All forms located at http://www.uscis.gov/ under “Immigration Forms”

Expanded SIV ProgramStep 2, Continued

• Send documents to:

– Regular Mail• USCIS Nebraska Service Center

P.O. Box 87360Lincoln, NE 68501-2521

– Overnight Deliveries• USCIS Nebraska Service Center

P.O. Box 87360Lincoln, NE 68501-2521

• Applicants can use an APO address or a US address of a friend (with permission)

• Include email address on I-360 as this is the easiest way of contacting the applicant

Expanded SIV ProgramStep 3- Documents to NVC

• The National Visa Center may ask (via email) for the following documents so have them ready:– The DS-230 parts 1 and 2. – Scanned copies of a birth certificate for each applicant and any other civil documents

showing the family relationships (e.g., marriage and divorce certificates, adoption decrees, etc.). If no birth certificate is available, the Iraqi national identity card (bataqa shaksiya) may be used instead of a birth certificate;

– Any documentation that provides evidence of work for or on behalf of USG, including service dates, type of work, rank, post of assignment, and copies of identification badges.

– If the applicant lived in a different country of nationality for more than 6 months AND was 16 years old at that time, THEN the applicant needs a police certificate from the police authorities of that locality.

NOTE: List continues on next slide

Expanded SIV ProgramStep 3- Documents to NVC Continued

– A completed Resettlement Benefits Election Form – A completed Special Immigrant Visa Biodata Form (if you elect to receive Resettlement

Benefits) – All documents must be accompanied by a certified English translation. The translation

must include a statement signed by the translator that states that the translation is accurate, and the translator is competent to translate.

– All applicants should submit 2 recent photographs of themselves, which meet photo requirements shown at http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3740.html

NOTE: Please scan and send copies of all documentation to the National Visa Center via e-mail. Do not send any original documents or photos to the National Visa Center. Original documents and photographs should be hand carried by the applicant to the immigrant visa interview.

Expanded SIV ProgramStep 4- Interview

• Interviews are now conducted in Baghdad at the US Embassy; also in Amman, Jordan

• Finger scans will be taken• Travel to your interview is at your own cost and you must

coordinate your own entry• Please bring spouse and children to the interview. • In addition to your G-series passport, please bring your Iraqi

national identity card, military photo identification and originals of any civil documents, such as marriage certificates, birth certificates or death certificates

Expanded SIV ProgramStep 5- Arrival in the U.S.

• Benefits are optional. You must submit a Resettlement Benefits Election Form if you want the following assistance:

• You are immediately received at the airport and helped with lodging and getting settled into your new community

• For first 30 days you will receive basic living assistance and support.• During your first 90 days you will get help to:

– Apply for a social security card (you must have one to get a job) – Learn about and be referred to employment services – Enroll your children in school – Learn to use public transportation – Find English language classes – Begin to learn about U.S customs and law – Learn about and be referred to community services that can help you, including social

services, cash and medical assistance, and food stamps, if necessary – Find out about other government services and programs and how to apply – Receive benefits for up to 8 months

Refugee Resettlement ProgramWho can apply?

• Iraqis who work/worked on a full-time basis as interpreters/translators for the U.S. Government (USG) or Multi-National Forces (MNF-I) in Iraq

• Iraqis who are/were employed by the USG in Iraq• Iraqis who are/were employees of an organization or entity closely associated with the U.S.

mission in Iraq that has received USG funding through an official and documented contract, award, grant or cooperative agreement

• Iraqis who are/were employed in Iraq by a U.S.-based media organization or non-governmental organization

• Spouses, sons, daughters, parents and siblings of individuals described in the four categories above, or of an individual eligible for a Special Immigrant Visa as a result of his/her employment by or on behalf of the USG in Iraq, including if the individual is no longer alive, provided that the relationship is verified

• Iraqis who are the spouses, sons, daughters, parents, brothers or sisters of a citizen of the United States, or who are the spouses or unmarried sons or daughters of a Permanent Resident Alien of the United States, as established by their being or becoming beneficiaries of approved family-based I-130 Immigrant Visa Petitions

Refugee Resettlement ProgramWhat documents do I need to apply?

• Copies of Iraqi Identification/Passport of each applicant

• Copy of primary applicant’s employment badge• Letter verifying employment signed by immediate

supervisor (with contact info)• Copy of Biographical Data of each applicant

Refugee Resettlement ProgramSupervisor Letter

• Employee name• Company name• Beginning and end dates of employment• Position Title• Confirmation that the employee is currently (or

resigned) in good standing• Name, title, email and phone number of supervisor

Refugee Resettlement ProgramBiographical Data

• Name: E-mail: Phone number:• Family Information:

Name:Father’s Name:Grandfather’s Name:

• Family Name (Tribe):• All other Names/Alias:• Nationality:• Passport Number:• Date of Birth:• Place of Birth:• Gender:• Marital Status:• Relationship to Principle Applicant:

Refugee Resettlement Program Step 1- Where do I send my application?

• baghdadinfocenter@iom.int• Put principle applicant’s name in the Subject

Line• Attach all necessary documents

Refugee Resettlement ProgramInterview through U.S. Arrival

• You will receive an email stating your application was received

• In a few months, you will be contacted to attend an interview at the US Embassy in Baghdad

• A few months later, you will be contacted for all applicants in your family to attend a second interview; biometric data will be taken at this interview

• Next, you will be contacted for medical examinations in case you need medical treatment before you go to the US

• Arrival to the US where you will be received and cared for as stated previously

Refugee Resettlement ProgramBenefits

• You are immediately received at the airport and helped with lodging and getting settled into your new community

• For first 30 days you will receive basic living assistance and support.• During your first 90 days you will get help to:

– Apply for a social security card (you must have one to get a job) – Learn about and be referred to employment services – Enroll your children in school – Learn to use public transportation – Find English language classes – Begin to learn about U.S customs and law – Learn about and be referred to community services that can help you,

including social services, cash and medical assistance, and food stamps, if necessary

– Find out about other government services and programs and how to apply – Receive benefits for up to 8 months

Program Differences

Refugee Program

• Processes more applications• Available to apply NOW• Program is free• Does not require a minimum 12 months of employment• Must live in US for 12 months before getting Green Card• Interviews are held in Baghdad• Parents and siblings can apply

SIV Programs

• Higher Priority than RRP• Processing starts 1 OCT 08- apply now • Applications are limited to 5,000• Once approved, a Green Card is issued immediately• Interviews in Baghdad• Program is Free• Only immediate family may apply• Requires 12 months of employment

For More Information

• For benefit information: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr

• For Visa Program information: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_4172.html