Certain Afghans Can Apply For Expedited Processing and Fee Exemptions

On November 22, 2022, USCIS announced the effectiveness of filing fee exemptions and expedited application processing for certain nationals of Afghanistan. Qualified Afghan nationals are eligible for the following fee exemptions and expedited processing, until September 30, 2023:

Fee Exemptions

• An initial or replacement employment Authorization, for Afghan nationals applying based on parole (eligibility category (c)(11));
• Adjustment of Status based on special immigrant classification;
• Family-based petition on behalf of any Afghan national (beneficiary) with a visa immediately available
• Certain Applications for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility;
• Application of Action for an Afghan holding a Special Immigrant Visa;
• USCIS Immigrant Fee (Green Card fee) for certain Afghan nationals entitled to obtain permanent residence.

Expedited Processing

• An initial and replacement for employment authorization documents based on parole (eligibility category (c)(11));
• Adjustment of Status based on Afghan special immigrant classification Certain Applications for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility;
• Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, filed by Afghan parolees as described in Section 2502(a) of the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act;
• Process of Decision of Family-based petitions where an Afghan national (beneficiary) has a visa immediately available
• Certain Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility;
• Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers on behalf of an Afghan national (beneficiary) with a visa immediately available