I am a pujari (Hindu priest) in India. A temple in the United States has agreed to sponsor me for an R-1 religious worker visa. The temple has never filed an R-1 petition, and was informed there is no way to expedite the case until the USCIS conducts a site visit. Is this correct?
13 Apr 2023Answer
Historically, a religious organization filing an R-1 petition for the first time was not allowed to use premium processing until a site visit had been conducted. Based on a policy change from a few weeks ago, however, it appears the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is now allowing for the use of premium processing on R-1 petitions, even if no site visit has yet been conducted. (13.Apr.2023)
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