This is a guide on the Rabbit Project for verification of employment in the SIV Program, which is developed in Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) format. In this guide, we address common queries and concerns about matters related to Rabbit Project, aiming to provide clarity and guidance to individuals navigating the complexities of the verification. This information is based on the understanding of the "Beporsed" team from various sources and is not legal advice. This guide is updated on 5th February 2024. For legal guidance and advice, we recommend consulting official sources. Project Rabbit is a program designed to assist Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants who encounter difficulties in obtaining employment verification documents from former employers.
Join us as we navigate the essential questions surrounding the Rabbit Project for verification of employment in the SIV Program, empowering individuals with knowledge and support on their journey to resettlement.
What is Project Rabbit, and is it necessary for Afghan SIV applicants to use it?
Project Rabbit is a program designed to assist Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants who encounter difficulties in obtaining employment verification documents from former employers. It operates by collaborating with participating Department of Defense (DoD) contractors to match HR data and employment records with the information provided in SIV applications submitted to the Department of State (DoS). This initiative aims to streamline the verification process for SIV applicants who worked for participating employers.
Participation in Project Rabbit is voluntary for employers, and currently, the DoD is the sole US Government Department/Agency involved in the project. The program primarily engages with US and European employers. If an applicant's former employer is not currently participating in Project Rabbit, efforts will be made to contact the employer and encourage their involvement.
While Project Rabbit offers assistance in employment verification, it is not mandatory for Afghan SIV applicants to use it. However, applicants who were employed by DoD contractors and encounter challenges in obtaining verification documents may benefit from utilizing Project Rabbit's services. Detailed instructions for Afghan SIV applicants and participating employers are provided by the DoS to facilitate the verification process.
What SIV challenge does Project Rabbit seek to address?
Project Rabbit aims to address the challenge faced by Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants who encounter difficulty locating or contacting their former employers to obtain necessary documentation, such as employment verification letters and letters of recommendation.
Many SIV applicants struggle to obtain these essential documents, which are required as part of the visa application process. Project Rabbit collaborates with participating Department of Defense (DoD) contractors to facilitate the matching of contractor-provided human resources (HR) data and employment records with the information provided in SIV applications submitted to the Department of State.
By bridging this gap, Project Rabbit aims to streamline the application process for Afghan SIV applicants and improve their chances of successfully obtaining the required documentation. Despite these efforts, it is important to note that the standard visa application process remains in place, and applicants are still encouraged to follow the normal procedures outlined by the National Visa Center (NVC).
Project Rabbit serves as a supplementary resource to assist applicants in overcoming specific challenges related to obtaining employment-related documentation.
Can Project Rabbit assist all Afghan SIV applicants who were employed by DoD contractors?
Project Rabbit is dedicated to assisting Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants who were employed by participating Department of Defense (DoD) contractors. However, it's important to note that Project Rabbit's assistance is limited to applicants whose employers are currently participating in the project.
If an applicant worked for a DoD contractor that is not currently involved in Project Rabbit, efforts will be made to contact the employer and encourage their participation. It's crucial to understand that employer participation in Project Rabbit is voluntary, and not all DoD contractors may choose to participate.
Therefore, while Project Rabbit strives to assist as many Afghan SIV applicants as possible, its scope may be limited based on employer participation. Despite these limitations, Project Rabbit remains committed to facilitating the employment verification process for Afghan SIV applicants, working diligently to engage with participating employers and streamline the application process.
Are other agencies/offices outside of DoD using Project Rabbit?
As of now, Project Rabbit is exclusively utilized by the Department of Defense (DoD) for assisting Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants. While Project Rabbit serves as a valuable resource for Afghan SIV applicants who were employed by DoD contractors, it's essential to note that other U.S. government entities are not currently involved in this project.
Therefore, Afghan SIV applicants who worked in support of agencies or offices outside of DoD should adhere to the standard application procedures outlined by the State Department. These applicants should follow the instructions provided by the State Department and submit their applications through the normal channels.
The National Visa Center (NVC) will then process and assess their applications accordingly. While Project Rabbit offers valuable assistance to Afghan SIV applicants employed by DoD contractors, it is important for applicants associated with other government entities to follow the established application process to ensure their cases are properly handled and evaluated.
How do Afghan SIV applicants who were employed by DoD contractors take advantage of Project Rabbit?
Afghan SIV applicants who were employed by Department of Defense (DoD) contractors can utilize Project Rabbit to assist in obtaining employment verification. Apply for a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) by completing the necessary application forms and providing as much documentation as possible, including Form DS-157, evidence of nationality, passport, and a copy of the staff badge if available. If the applicant already has an employment verification letter or a letter of recommendation, they should include it in their application. However, if these documents are unavailable, they should still proceed with the application.
Wait to receive the NVCSIV case number from the State Department. Project Rabbit automatically pulls active SIV cases from the State Department's database. Once a case is considered active, Project Rabbit filters it by the employer to identify those associated with DoD contracts. No action is required from the applicant during this step.
Project Rabbit forwards active SIV cases to participating employers for employment verification. Participating employers attempt to match the information in the SIV application with HR data and employment records to complete the verification process.
Project Rabbit forwards the employment verification data to the State Department, which reviews the provided information along with additional data obtained from the applicant and other sources to determine the eligibility of the SIV application for further processing.
This way, Afghan SIV applicants can leverage Project Rabbit to streamline the employment verification process and enhance their chances of a successful visa application.
Can Project Rabbit expedite other steps in the Afghan SIV process or provide emergency assistance?
No, Project Rabbit's scope is limited to assisting with the employment verification portion of the Chief of Mission (COM) approval application, which is Step 1 of the Afghan SIV application process. While Project Rabbit can streamline the verification process by working with participating employers, it cannot expedite other steps in the application process or provide emergency assistance.
It's important to note that Project Rabbit's role is specific to verifying employment details and does not extend to other aspects of the visa application or emergency situations. However, having the employment verification completed efficiently can contribute to the overall trustworthiness of the application, which may positively influence the decision-making process by the National Visa Center (NVC) and the COM.
Applicants should follow standard procedures and protocols for any other steps in the SIV application process and seek appropriate assistance from relevant authorities or organizations for providing any document in emergency situations.
I worked for the Department of Defense and was referred to Project Rabbit. How should I apply for an SIV?
If you worked for the Department of Defense and have been referred to Project Rabbit, follow these steps to apply for a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV):
- Collect all documentation related to your employment with the U.S. government. This includes human resources letters, letters of recommendation, contracts, pay stubs, badges, certificates, and any other evidence of your work.
- Send all gathered information and documents to AfghanSIVApplication@state.gov along with other SIV-required documents. Clearly state in your email that you do not possess all the required documents and will be using Project Rabbit to verify your work.
- The National Visa Center (NVC) will review your submission. They may take a few days or weeks to respond. Upon response, you will receive a case number and be informed of any additional information needed for the Chief of Mission application process.
- It's important to note that the Project Rabbit process is specifically designed to help applicants confirm their employment through the Department of Defense.
If you have worked on contracts or grants for other government agencies, such as USAID or the State Department, this process will not apply to you. Unfortunately, there is no way for companies to request participation in Project Rabbit.
Ask for help from "Beporsed"
For those Afghans seeking specific information, "Beporsed" is here to help. You can reach our information center through WhatsApp (+93729807235), Facebook Messenger, or our website's Messenger to ask our online information desk officer for assistance.
For more information
For more information on immigration, resettlement, education and scholarship programs, and other opportunities available to Afghans worldwide, as well as details on the humanitarian services provided by international organizations in Afghanistan and procedures for obtaining civil documents from governmental institutions, please visit Beporsed's website and social media pages.
✓ Beporsed website (www.beporsed.org)