The United States Department of State says that no Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) have been issued to Afghan applicants since January 1, 2026.
In a report released on Wednesday, May 13, the department said that a presidential proclamation has completely suspended visa issuance for Afghan citizens.
According to the report, although the review of applications and interview processes continue, no visas have been issued to holders of Afghan passports since the beginning of the current year.
The State Department said it has continued reviewing Afghan applicants’ cases in coordination with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other agencies.
The department also announced that around 18,319 visas were issued to Afghans in 2025.
According to the State Department, the total number of visas issued since 2014 has reached 50,500.
The department noted that 5,970 visa numbers still remain available for future principal applicants.
The US State Department further stated that more than 23,000 applicants have received Chief of Mission (COM) approval since the beginning of 2026.
However, the department said consular services for Afghan applicants are still continuing.
This comes after the US State Department suspended visa issuance for Afghan citizens in early 2026, while the country’s immigration authorities also paused the processing of applications.
