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You’re running your business as usual when an immigration officer arrives at your workplace unannounced. For many employers and visa beneficiaries, this scenario can be stressful and confusing. However, unannounced site visits are a normal part of the Administrative Site Visit and Verification Program, a USCIS initiative launched in July 2009 to verify information in certain visa petitions.
Here’s what you need to know about these site visits, why they happen, and how to prepare so you’re not caught off guard.
What Are Unannounced Site Visits?
Unannounced administrative site visits are conducted by officers from the Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS) as part of USCIS’s effort to ensure compliance with visa petitions. These visits are not punitive but are designed to verify the legitimacy of the information provided in a petition and to confirm that both the employer and the visa beneficiary are adhering to the terms outlined in the petition.
The officers conducting these visits compile their findings in a Compliance Review Report, which serves as a record of their observations. If necessary, they may conduct multiple site visits to gather additional information to complete their review.
What to Expect During a Site Visit
If your organization is selected for an unannounced site visit, here’s what you can expect:
1. Verification of Petition Information
The officer will review the petition and its supporting documents to ensure that the information matches the company’s current operations and the beneficiary’s role.
2. Confirmation of the Organization’s Legitimacy
Officers will verify that the petitioner (the employer) exists as a legitimate, functioning business. This includes confirming the business address, operations, and online presence.
3. Review of Public Records
Publicly available records and information about the organization will be examined to cross-check details in the petition.
4. Visit to the Beneficiary’s Workplace
The officer will visit the location where the visa beneficiary works. This is often the primary focus of the review.
5. Photographs and Documentation Review
Officers may take photographs of the workplace and request to review relevant documents, such as payroll and employment records, to confirm compliance.
6. Interviews With Personnel
The officer may speak with employees, including supervisors and coworkers, to verify details about the beneficiary’s work location, hours, salary, and duties.
7. Speaking With the Beneficiary
The officer will likely interview the visa beneficiary directly to confirm their role, workspace, and that their duties align with the petition.
How to Prepare for a Site Visit
Site visits can occur at any time, so preparation is key to ensuring a smooth and compliant process. Here’s how employers should approach the different stages of a potential site visit:
Before the Site Visit
Employers should maintain readiness by organizing and updating all documentation originally submitted with the visa petition. This includes:
- Payroll records.
- Employee contracts and job descriptions.
- Business licenses and operational documents.
- Any additional supporting evidence submitted during the petition process.
Employers should also be prepared to provide any additional information that may be relevant to the petition, even if it wasn’t initially included. Being proactive can help reduce delays and ensure compliance.
During the Site Visit
When an immigration officer arrives, employers should immediately provide all readily available documents and answer requests for information promptly. Here are some tips for handling the visit:
- Assign a designated point of contact who can liaise with the officer.
- Ensure that employees are informed and prepared to respond truthfully and accurately to any questions.
- Provide full access to requested areas, such as the workspace or facilities associated with the visa beneficiary.
Prompt and cooperative responses help create a positive impression and streamline the officer’s review process.
After the Site Visit
After the visit, USCIS may follow up with requests for additional documentation or clarification. Employers should:
- Respond promptly to any USCIS communication.
- Provide all requested information in a clear and organized manner.
- Review the officer’s requests carefully to ensure a complete and accurate response.
Being responsive after a site visit demonstrates compliance and helps address any potential concerns raised during the visit.
Why This Matters
Site visits are a critical part of USCIS’s efforts to detect fraud and ensure compliance with immigration laws. Being well-prepared at every stage—before, during, and after the visit—reduces the risk of delays, RFEs (Requests for Evidence), or more serious consequences like a NOIR (Notice of Intent to Revoke).
Let Us Help You Stay Ready
Unannounced site visits don’t have to be stressful if you’re properly prepared. Our services are designed to ensure compliance and readiness:
- Immigration Business Plans: We craft business plans that minimize discrepancies during a site visit because they are tailor-made to each client and mirror reality. We don’t use templates or cookie-cutter solutions. Instead, we present your business’s unique realities in an easy-to-understand, reader-friendly manner—ensuring it reflects your story, not someone else’s.
- Bookkeeping Services: Our bookkeeping services focus on profitability and include quarterly financial reviews and monthly meetings with business owners to ensure financials are aligned with the business plan and ready for site visits.
Don’t let an unannounced visit catch you off guard. Contact us today to ensure your business is prepared to meet USCIS standards and handle site visits with confidence.
The information provided in this blog is intended solely for informational purposes. While we strive to offer accurate and up-to-date content, it should not be considered legal advice. Immigration laws and regulations are subject to change, and individual circumstances can vary widely. For personalized guidance and legal advice regarding your specific immigration situation, we strongly recommend consulting with a qualified immigration attorney who can provide you with tailored assistance and ensure compliance with current laws and regulations.
Visa Business Plans is led by Marco Scanu, a certified coach from the University of Miami with a globally-based practice coaching Fortune 1000 company executives, entrepreneurs, as well as professionals in four different continents. Mr. Scanu advises clients on turnaround strategies and crisis management.
Mr. Scanu received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (Cum Laude) from the University of Florida and an MBA in Management from Bocconi University in Milan, Italy. Mr. Scanu was also a Visiting Scholar at Michigan State University under the prestigious H. Humphrey Fellowship (Fulbright program) with a focus on Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital, and high-growth enterprises.
At present, Mr. Scanu is the managing partner and CEO at Visa Business Plans, a Miami-based boutique consulting firm providing attorneys and investors with business planning services in the areas of U.S. and Canadian immigration, SBA loans, and others.
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