The Philippine government has announced that it will urgently accept Afghan refugees who are seeking U.S. visas, with the United States covering the costs related to their stay, security, medical services, and transportation.
According to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, each applicant must first obtain a Philippine visa and complete their medical examinations in Afghanistan. The department added that applicants cannot stay in the Philippines for more than 59 days and, except for consular interviews at the U.S. Embassy, they will remain in their residence under the supervision of the U.S. State Department. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs also stated that this temporary hosting arrangement is based on an agreement between the governments of Manila and Washington, but no specific details regarding the duration and exact number of individuals to be accepted have been provided yet. It is said that the U.S. will cover all costs associated with the refugees' accommodation, security, medical care, and transportation.
This development comes as many Afghans, after the fall of the Republic in 2021, fled the country and are still waiting in third countries to receive their visas for immigration to the United States.
