A Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holder is an Iraqi or Afghan national who has been employed by the U.S. Armed Forces as a translator or interpreter, or been employed by or a contractor of the United States government overseas.  SIVs are eligible for the same resettlement benefits as refugees for up to eight months after arrival in the U.S.  They arrive with Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) status and can apply for U.S. citizenship after five years in the U.S.

 Quick Facts:

• Since the first Special Immigrant Visa awarded in 2007, a total of 9,713 Iraqi and Afghan nationals and their families have arrived in the US.
• 84% of SIV recipients in 2011 were Iraqi.  
• In 2011, 839 Iraqi and Afghan SIVs resettled in the United States.

Facts compiled from the U.S. Department of State. Please visit the Resources section for more information.