Manila: A group of Afghan nationals seeking to resettle in the US arrived in the Philippines on Monday. According to Anadolu Agency, these individuals will stay in the Southeast Asian nation for a maximum of 59 days under the Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) program, which was established by Washington in 2009 to assist those who worked on behalf of the US.

Under this special program, up to 300 Afghans from the conflict-affected nation will travel to the Philippines before continuing their journey to the US. The report did not specify the number of Afghans who have arrived or the expected duration of the visa processing.

The Philippines will manage the influx and subsequent processing of SIV applications for the next 100 days. The US-led invasion of Afghanistan in the early 2000s resulted in the displacement and loss of lives of thousands of Afghans. The foreign forces withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, allowing the Taliban to regain control over the country, which has a population of approximately 42 million.

Should the visiting Afghans fail to secure the SIV within 50 days, they will be required to leave the Philippines. The report also mentioned that the Afghans will be accommodated at an undisclosed location in the Philippines, with the exception of a visit to the US Embassy in Manila.