R-1 Site Inspection During COVID-19
By: Dayna Lally, Esq.
What is a R-1 Site Inspection?
R-1 site inspections are conducted by the Fraud Detecting and National Security (‘FDNS”) Unit of the USCIS as part of the Administrative Site Visit and Verification Program (“ASVVP”).
In July 2009, USCIS created and implemented the ASVVP as part of its efforts to enhance the integrity of the immigrant benefit process. As part this program, immigration officers conduct unannounced pre- and post-adjudication site visits to verify information in the religious worker petition.
R-1 Site Inspections During COVID-19
Immigration officers are still conducting administrative site visit verifications for R1 visa petitions during COVID-19.
Lally Immigration Services, LLC has found that if nobody is currently working at worksite during COVID-19, the immigration officer will request that the petitioning employer email responses to a variety of questions to further discuss during a subsequent visit. See above, screenshot of email from FDNS Officer.
What Questions Does USCIS Ask at R-1 Site Inspection?
Questions asked during a R-1 site inspection generally include, but are not limited to:
- Can you provide me with some identification (such as in a driver’s license)?
- What is your title?
- Can you indicate the product or service the organization provides?
- How long has the organization been in operation?
- What are the hours of operation for the organization/congregation?
- How many employees are currently working at this location? How many volunteers?
- How many members are in the organization’s congregation?
- How many may be seated at one service? (seating capacity of worship area).
- When is the religious service held?
- Does the organization have a headquarters location? If so, where?
- How long has the beneficiary been employed with the organization? Start date?
- Can you confirm with me the location where the beneficiary mostly works from?
- Has the beneficiary’s duties changed since the filing of this petition?
- Is the beneficiary full time or part time? What are the hours? Mondays – Sundays?
- Can you provide me with Beneficiary annual salary? I need the amount the beneficiary is being paid.
- How is the beneficiary paid? Are they paid bi-weekly/monthly?
- What is the beneficiary’s work schedule and how will they be compensated? Source of compensation?
- How was the beneficiary recruited for employment?
- Is the beneficiary employed somewhere else?
- Were there any educational requirements to fulfill this position?
- Has the beneficiary worked at any other location within the organization?
- Do you offer incentives? (Bonuses, 401K Health and Dental care).
- Will the beneficiary have supervisory duties?
- Who does the Beneficiary report to? Need name and contact information as in a phone number and email address.
- Does the Beneficiary have anyone reporting to them?
- Who paid for the filing fees?
- What is the organization’s income/budget?
- How many other compensated employees work for the organization? Of those, how many are performing religious duties similar to the beneficiary?
- Description of Duties for the religious worker.
- What is the religious worker been offered as far as housing and food?
- Is there any certification for the position the beneficiary is applying for?
Religious Visa Lawyer in Boston, MA
If you would like to speak to a R1 religious visa lawyer in Boston, MA, contact Lally Immigration Services, LLC at (617) 870-1000 or send an email to R1 religious visa lawyer, Dayna Lally, at [email protected]. Ms. Lally is happy to discuss the R1 site inspection process. Consultation fees apply.
Disclaimer: This blog article is provided by Lally Immigration Services, LLC for informational and marketing purposes. This article does not constitute legal advice nor does it establish an attorney-client relationship. No reader should act, or refrain from acting, on the basis of any information presented in this article, or elsewhere on this website, without seeking the advice of appropriate legal counsel, or other professional counsel, licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. Lally Immigration Services, LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability with respect to any actions taken, or not taken, based on any content of this article or website. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Last Reviewed/Updated: 05/21/2021
