Afghans who worked with American forces or programs, but don’t meet the criteria for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) may be eligible for Priority-2 (P-2) for U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) visas.
The P-2 program is for Afghans in one of three categories:
- Afghans who do not meet the minimum time served to be an SIV but who worked as employees of contractors, locally employed staff, interpreters/translators for:
- U.S. government
- United States Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A)
- International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
- Resolute Support
- Afghans who worked for programs or projects in Afghanistan supported through a U.S. government grant or cooperative agreement.
- Afghans who were employed in Afghanistan by a U.S-based NGOs or media organizations.
To qualify for P-2 status, Afghans must depart Afghanistan on their own accord, as the U.S. can only process them as refugees when they are in a third country.
An applicant cannot directly refer themselves to the P-2 program.
Only U.S. government departments and agencies, U.S.-based NGOs, or media organizations with operations in Afghanistan may submit P-2 referrals for Afghans.
Individuals who believe they are eligible for P-2 should work with their employer, contact in the U.S. government, NGO, or media organization to complete a referral package.
A completed referral package must be submitted with the approval of the most senior U.S. citizen in the U.S.-headquartered organization
Send via the GovCloud Google form: USRAP U.S.-based NGO and U.S.-based Media Direct Referral Creation Eligibility Form.
NOTE: If a referral was emailed to [email protected] prior to January 31, 2022, 5 pm Eastern, the submission will be processed. Do not re-resubmit those referrals.
The U.S. is unable to provide protection or support to individuals in third countries awaiting decisions on their P-2 refugee case.
If you are in a country that has an established asylum process, please register with that government for international protection and assistance as a refugee.
Afghans can also register with the UN Refugee Agency.
Processing P-2 visas can take several years and applicants will undergo extensive background security checks and interviews.
Even with a referral, you are not guaranteed a P-2 visa.
We recommend pursuing other immigration options while filing for a P-2.
The P-2 process can be complex. We recommend consulting with an attorney. These resources may offer additional information.
Department of State Information About the Priority 2 (P2) program
Department of State Step-By-Step Instructions for U.S.-based media organizations and NGOs