Veteran Sponsor Fund

to Support Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Arrivals

How it works

Welcoming a family is a collaborative effort that benefits from community support. We encourage you to form a sponsor group of at least three members to work together in supporting an Afghan SIV holder family.

We are particularly looking to support sponsor groups ready and able to assist SIV families arriving in the coming weeks and months. Eligible veteran or active duty sponsor groups can receive up to $7,000 to help Afghan SIV families arriving in the U.S. in the coming weeks. This funding is designed to assist with basic financial needs as sponsors help families settle into their new lives.

Sponsor groups will receive $1,000 per Afghan SIV family member, up to a maximum of $7,000 total (equivalent to 7 family members).

Matching with an Afghan SIV holder family

The Sponsor Circle Program, run by the Community Sponsorship Hub, connects U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents with Afghan SIV holder families. To qualify for this funding, sponsor groups must be matched with an Afghan SIV holder family who arrived in the U.S. after March 1, 2025, either through the Sponsor Circle Program or another approved partner organization. Sponsor groups can specify the family size they’re willing to sponsor in their Sponsor Circle application, and they will be matched accordingly.

Application details

Applicants for the Veteran Sponsor Fund must include the following:

Veterans/active duty information: To qualify for this Welcome.US funding opportunity, at least one member of the sponsor group must be a U.S. veteran or active duty military member and must provide their information in the funding application.
Background check: The applicant must include a copy of their Sterling Volunteer background check as part of the application process. This Sterling background check will also be required for the Sponsor Circle application. The background check only takes a few minutes to complete, and approval often arrives within a few business days.
GoFundMe link: The applicant is required to share a link to their sponsor group’s GoFundMe fundraising page; this is how awarded funds will be disbursed. The GoFundMe page must be linked to a bank account in the applicant’s name. The sponsor groups must have raised a minimum of $500 at the time of the Veteran Sponsor Fund application submission.
Sponsor group name: Choose a name for your sponsor group and include it in your funding and Sponsor Circle applications.

As part of the Sponsor Circle application, sponsor groups will need to provide proof of funding of a minimum of $500 per Afghan ally. The Veteran Sponsor Fund “Proof of Funding" letter can be uploaded as proof of funding.

Funding dispersal

Funds will be disbursed to the sponsor group’s GoFundMe account when the following conditions are met:

Sponsor Circle application submission: The sponsor group completes their Sponsor Circle application by June 20, 2025, to be matched with an Afghan SIV family/individual.
Raise remaining funds: Sponsor groups must raise the additional funds needed to sponsor.
Travel notification: Funds will be deposited after the SIV holder family arrives and the sponsor group provides a copy of the plane ticket or boarding passes to Welcome.US.

Application closed

For inquiries or assistance, please contact [email protected].

FAQ

Who are the SIVs?

SIVs are Special Immigrant Visa holders—Afghan and Iraqi nationals who supported the U.S. missions in their countries and faced persecution as a result. These visas allow them to be admitted to the U.S. with permanent residency, typically using the same infrastructure for refugees accepted for resettlement.

Are Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders impacted by the suspension of the U.S. refugee admission program?

SIV holders can still travel to the U.S., but they will not receive Reception and Placement services.