; 8 U.S.C. 1157 note) is reached. . 4308. Improvements to application process for Afghan special immigrant visas Subsection (b) of section 602 of the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 ( 8 U.S.C. 1101 note) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2)(A)(ii), by inserting for the first time after September 30, 2015 ; and (2) in paragraph (4)(A), by inserting , including Chief of Mission approval, after so that all steps . 4309. Special immigrant status for certain surviving spouses and children (a) In general Section 101(a)(27)(D) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(D) ) is amended— (1) by striking an immigrant who is an employee and inserting the following: “an immigrant who— (i) is an employee ; and (2) by striking grant such status; and inserting the following: “grant such status; or (ii) is the surviving spouse or child of an employee of the United States Government abroad: Provided , That the employee performed faithful service for a total of not less than 15 years or was killed in the line of duty; . (b) Special immigrant status for surviving spouses and children (1) In general Section 602(b)(2)(C) of the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 ( 8 U.S.C. 1101 note) is amended— (A) in clause (ii), by redesignating subclauses (I) and (II) as items (aa) and (bb), respectively; (B) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as subclauses (I) and (II), respectively, and moving such subclauses 2 ems to the right; (C) in the matter preceding subclause (I), as redesignated, by striking An alien is described and inserting the following: (i) In general A noncitizen is described ; (D) in clause (i)(I), as redesignated, by striking who had a petition for classification approved and inserting who had submitted an application to the Chief of Mission