Documents obtained by Arg Times indicate that Mirza Mohammad Katawazai, former deputy speaker of Afghanistan’s Parliament, has entered the United States on a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV).

According to the visa issued by the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Katawazai’s immigrant visa is of the SQ2 category, a type of visa generally granted to individuals or family members of applicants under the U.S. Special Immigrant Visa program — a program primarily intended for Afghans who worked with U.S. agencies or allied institutions.

The visa was issued on June 20, 2025, and is valid until November 19, 2025. Sources told Arg Times that Katawazai traveled to the United States in early November, when less than two weeks remained before the visa’s expiration.

Two other sources claimed that one of Katawazai’s spouses had previously traveled to a country in the Americas, suggesting that his immigration process may have been linked to that earlier case. These claims could not be independently verified by Arg Times.

Mirza Mohammad Katawazai was a prominent political figure during Afghanistan’s republican government and is reported to have close ties with current Taliban officials, including Mohammad Yousuf Wafa, the governor of Balkh province.

While the United States has repeatedly stated its opposition to the Taliban, the issuance of an SIV for a figure reportedly close to the group raises questions about Washington’s vetting process and the criteria for granting such visas.

A former U.S. official from the Trump administration previously stated that U.S. visas are issued “based on national interests and thorough security assessments.”

Arg Times has so far received no official comment from U.S. authorities or from Katawazai himself regarding the circumstances of his travel and visa issuance.

In recent months, several U.S. lawmakers have voiced concern over the entry of Afghan individuals allegedly linked to the Taliban. It remains unclear whether Katawazai’s case will draw similar attention or reaction in Washington.