Hundreds of Afghans Arrive in Philippines for US Visa Processing

A group of approximately 300 Afghan nationals arrived in the Philippines on Monday to process special immigrant visas (SIV) for resettlement in the United States, Arab News reported yesterday.

This initiative, part of an agreement between Manila and Washington, aims to assist Afghans who had worked with American forces and were left behind during the chaotic withdrawal in 2021.

The Afghan nationals, primarily children, were issued appropriate entry visas after undergoing extensive security vetting by both Philippine and US agencies. They will stay at a facility operated by the US State Department and can only leave for consular interviews.

Under Philippine regulations, their stay is limited to 59 days. The US government is providing essential services, including food, housing, and medical care, to support the visa processing. This group represents a small portion of the over 160,000 Afghans who sought resettlement following the Taliban takeover.