This is a guide on transferring SIV cases to other U.S. embassies, which is developed in Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) format. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul suspended operations in August 2021, due to the security situation in Afghanistan. Therefore, the Afghan U.S. case holders are required to process their cases at other U.S. embassies. In this guide, we address common queries and concerns about transferring SIV cases to other U.S. embassies aiming to provide clarity and guidance to individuals navigating the complexities of the process. This information is based on the understanding of the "Beporsed" team from various sources and is not legal advice. This guide is updated on 5th February 2024. For legal guidance and advice, we recommend consulting official sources. As your case progresses through the National Visa Center (NVC) and you anticipate your interview at the US embassy or consulate, you're faced with crucial decisions regarding your next steps. In this pivotal stage, whether you wait for assistance from the CARE office or take proactive steps to transfer your case to another embassy, enabling you to independently pursue relocation to another country.
Join us as we navigate the essential questions surrounding transferring SIV cases to other U.S. embassies, empowering individuals with knowledge and support on their journey to resettlement.
My case is recently documentarily completed with NVC, what should I do next?
After your case is documentarily completed with the NVC (National Visa Center), you are now awaiting an interview at the US embassy or consulate. At this stage, you have two options to consider:
- You wait for the CARE flight. If you prefer to remain in Afghanistan and wait for assistance from the CARE office to relocate you to another country, do not transfer your case. Patience is key as you wait your turn for a CARE flight. The CARE team will handle the relocation process, and transferring your case is unnecessary if you wish to wait for their assistance.
- You transfer your case to another embassy. If you choose not to wait for the CARE team's assistance and prefer to pursue relocation to another country independently, you can transfer your case to another embassy.
Please remember that the option of transferring your case to another embassy requires financial resources and the ability to obtain visas, travel to another country, and potentially stay there for several months, even more than a year until your U.S. visa is issued.
How do I transfer my SI or SQ Special Immigrant Visa case from one embassy or consulate to another?
If you need to transfer your Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) application to a different embassy or consulate, you can initiate the transfer process by following these steps:
- Determine the U.S. embassy or consulate where you wish to transfer your SIV case. Ensure that the chosen embassy processes immigrant visas, as some may only handle non-immigrant visas.
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Send an email to NVCSIV@state.gov with the following details:
- Your full name
- Date of birth
- Case number
- The embassy or consulate you want to transfer your case to
- If you had an interview scheduled at the Embassy Kabul but were unable to complete it, email an immigrant visa processing U.S. embassy or consulate where you can travel. Include your name, date of birth, case number, and any documents from the embassy showing your scheduled interview.
- The receiving embassy or consulate may take some time to respond to your request. Please note that scheduling your interview at the new location may also be delayed by weeks or months.
It's important to keep in mind that the transfer of your SIV case might not result in immediate processing, and the processing times may vary depending on various factors, including current capacity and operational constraints, especially due to some restrictions. Some embassies are only scheduling interviews if you are physically in the relevant country.
If I transfer my case to Qatar, will I receive an interview?
No, the embassy's response clarifies that interview dates are typically scheduled only after applicants are physically present in Qatar. Therefore, until you have secured a Qatar visa and are physically in the country, you may not receive an interview date. Upon transferring your case to the American Embassy in Doha, Qatar, applicants often wonder about the timeline for receiving an interview date. But your case may be transferred to Doha, Qatar, but you will receive the interview time when you are physically present in Qatar.
However, if obtaining a Qatar visa poses challenges, the embassy assures applicants that the case can be transferred to another country where obtaining a visa is feasible. It's important to note that the process for scheduling interviews varies based on individual circumstances and logistical considerations.
For applicants whose cases are still within the CARE system and awaiting transfer to Qatar, the conditions remain consistent with those awaiting transfer from Kabul, Afghanistan. This ensures equitable treatment for all applicants regardless of their location within the CARE system.
How can I transfer my case to Rwanda/Kenya, and what should I expect during the process?
To initiate the process of transferring your case to Rwanda/Kenya, follow these steps:
- Start by applying for a Rwanda/Kenya visa online and ensure its approval before proceeding further.
- Contact the US National Visa Center via email and formally request the transfer of your case to Rwanda/Kenya.
- Obtain a visa for a suitable country and travel to it, and then book chain tickets to your destination in consultation with travel and tourist agencies.
- If you receive an Iran visa, use Mashhad airport for departure or any other suitable airport other than Tehran for departure.
- Realize that you have an online visa for the destination countries, and some countries, including Pakistan, may not allow you to depart from their airports because of having an online visa.
- Make travel arrangements to Rwanda/Kenya, typically via those airlines that allow you to travel with an online visa. You may have a layover for a few hours in Turkey or Dubai before reaching your destination.
- Upon arrival in Rwanda or Kenya, immediately inform both the relevant US Embassy and the US National Visa Center about your presence and request an interview for your case processing.
- Your interview may be scheduled for 3-6 six months after your application, so be prepared for some waiting time.
Consider carefully before transferring your case to Rwanda/Kenya, as the process may take longer than expected. Some individuals have experienced delays in interview scheduling, contrary to previous timelines. Budget approximately $20,000 for a family of five to cover expenses related to the travel and stay in Rwanda/Kenya.
Transferring your case to Rwanda is possible, but you are not advised to do so. It’s important to weigh the potential challenges and uncertainties involved in the process before making a decision.
A few times, NVC sent me an email asking me to transfer my SIV case to another embassy. What should I do?
If you receive an email from the NVC requesting you to transfer your SIV (Special Immigrant Visa) case to another US embassy due to the suspension of operations at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, you are not required to and can ignore this request.
You will not transfer your case and wait for a CARE flight. If you choose to remain in Afghanistan and wait for the CARE team to relocate you to another country, do not transfer your case. Patience is essential as you wait for your turn for a CARE flight. The CARE team will handle the relocation process, and transferring your case is unnecessary if you prefer to wait for their assistance.
If you decide not to wait for the CARE team's assistance and prefer to pursue relocation to another country independently, you can transfer your case. However, this option requires financial resources and the ability to obtain visas, travel to another country, and potentially stay there for several months until your US visa is issued. It's crucial to financially support yourself during this period, as the CARE team will not provide assistance for self-initiated relocations.
NVC sends me an email once every two months, and they are requesting that I transfer my case to another US embassy. Should I transfer my case?
If you are currently in Afghanistan and awaiting relocation by CARE to a third country, it is not advisable to transfer your case to another embassy. The NVC's request to transfer your case may cause concern. However, it's crucial to understand that if you're part of the CARE relocation process, your case will be transferred to another embassy when your turn comes for relocation.
The email from NVC, which is sent once every two months, serves as a reminder about the status of your case. This automated reminder may prompt applicants to consider transferring their case. However, if you are part of the CARE relocation program, it's best to wait for CARE to facilitate your transfer to a third country.
If you have the means to cover your own expenses for relocation to another embassy, you may choose to transfer your case. However, if you are unable to do so, it's advisable to wait for CARE relocation opportunities.
Why haven't I heard back after requesting a transfer of an SIV case at the National Visa Center (NVC) to an embassy?
If you haven't received a response after requesting a transfer of an SIV case at the National Visa Center (NVC) to an embassy, there could be several reasons for the delay. Firstly, it's essential to determine whether the case is still awaiting COM approval. If so, it may be premature to request a transfer, as only those who have COM-approved cases and filled out the DS-260 form can transfer their cases to another embassy.
Once the case has received an embassy-issued case number, typically provided by the embassy handling the case, you can proceed with requesting a transfer to a different embassy. It's advisable to check the list of embassies and their respective case processing statuses on travel.state.gov to ensure the chosen embassy is suitable for your needs.
It's worth noting that despite the absence of a physical embassy in Kabul, cases are still assigned KBL numbers. Therefore, if the case is in this stage, it may still be processed through a different embassy with the facilitation of CARE.
If an SIV applicant is unable to obtain a visa or means to travel to a third country for an interview, will their missed interview result in application rejection?
Missing an interview as an SIV applicant does not automatically lead to rejection of the application. In such circumstances, it's crucial for the applicant to take proactive steps to address the situation. If the applicant anticipates being unable to attend the interview, they should contact the Embassy in advance and request a rescheduling of the interview.
However, if the applicant has already missed the interview, it's essential to promptly communicate with the Consular section at the Embassy and provide a detailed explanation for the missed appointment. This communication should include reasons for the inability to attend and any mitigating circumstances.
Additionally, if the applicant needs to transfer their case to another Embassy, they should refer to information available on travel.state.gov regarding the embassies and their processing statuses. Despite the absence of a physical embassy in Kabul, cases are still assigned embassy codes such as KBL.
For applicants seeking relocation assistance from CARE, it's advisable to email CARE and request relocation from Afghanistan, specifying the circumstances and need for assistance.
Why my case has been transferred to an embassy in a third country when I did not apply for that transfer?
In some cases, when an Afghan applicant receives an e-mail transferring their special immigration visa or SIV file to an embassy in a third country without an explicit request, there can be two reasons:
- The U.S. State Department may have sent your case to an embassy for further processing, and you will be relocated to that country through CARE. In this case, check the status of your case regularly on the CEAC portal to be aware of the updates of your case.
- In some cases, when an Afghan applicant receives a case transfer email, it is likely that he forgot or ignored a previous request for a case transfer made by the applicants or their representatives.
It is important to note that the U.S. State Department does not transfer files unless there is a specific request from the applicant or their representative. However, there is an exception to this rule in cases where cases are transferred to Qatar, Germany, or Albania. For applicants seeking relocation assistance from CARE, it's advisable to email CARE and request relocation from Afghanistan, specifying the circumstances and need for assistance.
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