If you’re in Afghanistan, please find information on our Help Afghanistan website.
I have heard about special programs set up by other countries to help Afghans who worked with or for those countries to travel to those countries. Can UNHCR help me access these programs?
Some countries have recently announced opportunities for Afghan nationals who have worked or been affiliated with those countries to apply for permission to travel to those countries. These programs are established by those countries and UNHCR does not refer people to the programs or process applications.
There may be more programs that are now or soon to be available to support Afghan people in or outside of Afghanistan. UNHCR will try to keep up to date with announcements as we become aware of these State-sponsored programs. Details of them can be found on the websites set up by the particular state. Please check information on our Afghanistan page for the latest information and links to those government websites.
Some programmes include the following:
United States of America
The United States recently announced opportunities for Afghan nationals who have worked or been affiliated with the US government, military, NGOs, or media. Please visit the following sites from the US State Department for details:
- Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) for Afghans employed by or on behalf of the US Government
- Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) for Afghans who worked as translators/interpreters for US military forces
- US Refugee Assistance Program (USRAP) Priority 2 Program
Canada
The Canadian program is available for Afghan nationals whose “employment involved a significant and/or enduring relationship with the Government of Canada”, including interpreters for the Canadian military and local staff who work or worked for the Canadian Embassy. Please visit the following site for details:
United Kingdom
The UK has established two programs for current and former locally employed staff in Afghanistan. Please visit the following sites for details: