U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced under the Enduring Welcome program, eligible Afghan nationals can now apply for fee waivers and faster application processing. The extensions allow USCIS to more quickly process requests for long-term status, status for immediate relatives, and related services for qualifying Afghan nationals.
Fee Waivers Available
Afghan nationals who were paroled into the U.S. on or after July 30, 2021, can benefit from the following fee waivers:
- Form I-131 (Travel Document Application): Fee waived until January 31, 2025, for requests related to re-parole and employment authorization renewals.
- Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative): Fee waived until September 30, 2025, for Afghan nationals with an available immigrant visa, when filed from within the U.S.
- USCIS Immigrant Fee: Waived until September 30, 2025.
- Form I-485 (Application for Permanent Residence): Permanent fee waiver for qualifying Afghan nationals applying to become lawful permanent residents.
- Form I-824 (Application for Action on an Approved Petition): Permanent fee waiver for Afghan nationals with a special immigrant visa.
- Form I-601 (Waiver Application): Fee waiver expires on September 30, 2024, for Afghan nationals who are beneficiaries of an approved I-130 with an available immigrant visa.
- Form I-765 (Employment Authorization Application): Fee waiver expires on September 30, 2024, for Afghan nationals applying for an initial or replacement work permit.
Faster Processing Available
The following expedited processing exceptions are available to Afghan nationals paroled into the United States on or after July 30, 2021.
- Form I-131: Expedited processing extended to January 31, 2025, for re-parole and employment authorization requests.
- Form I-485: Expedited processing extended to September 30, 2025, for those adjusting to permanent resident status based on special immigrant classification or asylum.
- Form I-589 (Asylum Application): Expedited processing extended to September 30, 2025, for qualifying Afghan parolees.
- Form I-130: Expedited processing extended to September 30, 2025, for Afghan nationals with an available visa.
- Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Workers): Expedited processing extended to September 30, 2025, for beneficiaries of Afghan nationals with an available visa.
As always, if you have questions about filing any petition or any other U.S. immigration issue, contact us. Our clients work directly with attorneys every step of the way throughout their immigration journeys.