All Afghan nationals who transited to process their special immigrant visa (SIV) have left the Philippines and are now in the United States, the US Embassy in Manila said on Sunday.
The embassy clarified that “just under 200 Afghan nationals” actually arrived in the country to process their SIV applications as opposed to the earlier information provided that up to 300 are flying in.
Of the total, about 60 percent are minors.
The number was planned at 300 but last-minute drops were made for various reasons, including medical and personal withdrawals.
US Embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay confirmed the last batch left the Philippines on January 17 aboard a commercial flight.
“The government of the United States extends deep appreciation to the government of the Philippines for their cooperation and support for US efforts to assist Afghan Special Immigrants,” he said.
The embassy did not provide the specific numbers of flights but said the Afghan nationals departed via commercial planes between January 15 and 17.
The Philippine-US deal on the hosting of the Afghan nationals who worked for the US mission in Kabul terminates exactly on the 100th day after the arrival of the first applicant.
Each Afghan national was allowed to stay in the country for a maximum of 59 days.
The first applicant arrived in the Philippines on Jan. 6.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Afghans now in America after Manila transit—US Embassy”