INSTRUCTIONS FOR PETITION FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT CLASSIFICATION
FOR AFGHAN SIV APPLICANTS
U.S. Department of State
Instructions for each numbered question:
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Enter your family name or surname as it appears in your passport or tazkera. Do not enter names that appear after d/o or
s/o. If you have only one name, enter that name.
Enter your first name as it appears in your tazkera or passport (if any). If there is only one name, enter "FNU" (First Name
Unknown) and use the single name as a last name.
Write your full name in Dari exactly as it appears in your tazkera or passport.
Check yes if you are the surviving spouse or child of a deceased principal applicant.
*4a-e. Enter the deceased's full name, name in native alphabet, date of birth, place of birth and tazkera.
Enter your clan or tribal name. If you do not have a clan or tribal name, write "None."
Enter any names/aliases you have used.
Enter your date of birth as it appears in your tazkera or passport.
Enter your place of birth as it appears in your tazkera or passport.
Enter your passport number (if any).
Enter all tazkera numbers you have ever used. If applicable, also enter your National Identity Card number.
Check the appropriate box.
Enter your email address and phone number.
Enter your current address where you are physically located.
Enter your father's full name as it appears in his most recent tazkera or passport.
Enter your mother's full name as it appears in her most recent tazkera or passport.
Enter the full name (as it appears on their tazkera), date of birth, place of birth, and date of marriage for your current spouse,
if any. If you are unmarried enter "N/A".
List the full names and dates of birth of all your children under age 21 as it appears in the child's official documentation (i.e.,
a tazkera or birth certificate). Only unmarried children under 21 years of age may qualify for an SIV (8 U.S.C. §1101
and Public Law 111-8 §602((b)(2)(B)).
List all the countries you have visited during the past 10 years and the year of the visit (for example, China 2004, Italy 2007).
If you have never traveled outside of Afghanistan, write "None."
List all the countries which have issued you a passport, including your current one (even if expired). If you have never been
issued a passport and do not hold a current passport, write "None."
Check the appropriate box to note whether you have ever lost a passport or had one stolen.
List the requested information for the last five employers, including the current employer. If you had only one employer or no
employer before the current job, you should explain that in the box. List previous employers regardless of whether they have
a connection to the United States. Please explain the job and if self-employed. Please state specifically the employer's
name, the job location, job title, supervisor name, supervisor email address, dates of employment, and the reason for
separation. If you do not have previous supervisor's email address, enter 'N/A." If you are the surviving spouse or child of a
deceased principal applicant, the requested information refers to the deceased principal applicant's employment history.
You may file this petition if:
You are a citizen or national of Afghanistan; and
You were employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government or the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), or its
successor, in Afghanistan after October 7, 2001, for a period of not less than one year; or
You are the surviving spouse or surviving unmarried child under age 21 of someone who met the criteria in 1 and 2 above.
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General Instructions for Completing Form DS-157
Please read and follow the below instructions carefully when completing Form DS-157.
This is a petition for classification as a special immigrant under section 203(b)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ("INA") (8
U.S.C. 1153(b)(4)), as provided for under section 602(b)(1)(A) of the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 (Public Law
111-8)("AAPA"). This petition is required of all applicants for a special immigrant visa ("SIV") under the AAPA.
You must file this petition together with the documents required to apply for Chief of Mission Approval as listed here:
If the form does not provide sufficient space for your response, use Item 23, Additional Information. Do not leave any fields
blank. All questions must contain an appropriate response or the processing of your petition will be delayed. You must sign
your petition to receive a final adjudication.
https://travel.state.gov/afghan.
DS-157
05-2022
Instructions Page 1 of 3