Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa Program to Expire Sept. 30, 2013

The Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Program for Iraqi Nationals was created by Section 1244 of Public Law 110-181, in 2008. This benefits Iraqi nationals who have been employed by the government of the United States in Iraq, between 20th March, 2003, and the present. Authorization for the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for nationals of Iraq will expire on 30th September, 2013. Individuals who have worked for America, or on behalf of the country can apply for immigrant visas under this program.

To apply for immigrant visas under this program, Iraqi nationals who have worked for the United States, along with their family members, must be admitted legally into the United States prior to 1st October, 2013. If not, they need to apply for adjustment of status by filing Form I-485 before this date. Only the Iraqi nationals who have worked for America for a year and more in Iraq can apply for visas under this program

As it was previously announced, the Iraqi SIV program will expire on 30th September, 2013. The expiration date also applies to the dependents of the primary applicants. Applications filed based on this SIV program after the expiration of the program will not be accepted by the USCIS. Petitions filed after September 30, 2013, will be rejected by the USCIS. Likewise, USCIS will suspend processing of pending Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant and Form I-485, filed based on this program, beginning October 1, 2013.

This SIV program was enacted in the year 2008 and it makes available 5,000 Special Immigrant Visas for Iraqi employees. To apply for immigrant visas based on this program, applicants must be citizens of Iraq. They must have worked in Iraq for the US government and must have undergone or must be undergoing serious threats due to that employment. They must be willing to undergo background checks and must be eligible for immigrant visas. Similarly, they need to be eligible for US Green Cards.