Embassy of the United States

Embassy Offices

Refugee & IDP Affairs

The office of Refugee & IDP Affairs at the U.S. Embassy Baghdad coordinates the U.S. Government's policy, assistance and resettlement programs for Iraqi displaced persons, conflict victims and third country refugees within Iraq. 

Policy & Assistance
The Embassy works directly with the Government of Iraq and international donor agencies to respond to the humanitarian needs of Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). U.S. Government programs and international organizations and non-governmental organizations funded by the U.S. government support several hundred thousand of IDPs inside Iraq and other at-risk beneficiaries through activities such as provision of emergency relief supplies, water systems, emergency health and infrastructure rehabilitation for host communities. The U.S. Government has provided almost $1 billion in humanitarian assistance for displaced Iraqis in Iraq and neighboring states since 2003.

Refugee Admissions Program
The passage of the “Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act” (Kennedy legislation), enacted January 28 of this year, expands those who are eligible for direct access to the refugee program, both inside and outside Iraq.

• Who is Eligible
• How to apply
• Traveling out of Baghdad to the U.S.
• Pictogram of Qualifying Family Members

Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Program

The January 2008 Defense Authorization Act also established a new immigrant visa category for Iraqis who worked for or on behalf of the U.S. in Iraq. This Program makes available 5,000 special immigrant visas each year for the next five years and provides the applicants and their families with resettlement benefits. The SIV program is administered by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, and individuals interested in this program can find eligibility criteria and instructions on how to apply on the Consular Affairs website, at http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_4172.html.

• SIV Resettlement Benefits