FDNS Site Visits for Employers
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services conducts administrative site visits through its Fraud
Detection and National Security (FDNS) Directorate to verify information submitted in employment-based
immigration petitions. These inspections are a routine compliance tool and are often conducted without
advance notice.
FDNS site visits are not enforcement raids and do not necessarily indicate suspected fraud. However,
information collected during a visit can affect petition adjudications, trigger additional review,
or expose broader compliance weaknesses if inconsistencies are identified.
This page explains what FDNS site visits are, why employers are selected, what typically occurs during
a visit, and how businesses can reduce risk through preparation and internal consistency.
What Is the FDNS Directorate?
The Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) Directorate is a division within USCIS responsible
for identifying and mitigating fraud, public safety, and national security risks across the
immigration system. FDNS does not adjudicate petitions. Instead, it supports adjudications by
verifying information submitted by petitioners and beneficiaries.
In employment-based immigration, FDNS focuses on ensuring that employers are operating as described
in their filings and that sponsored positions are real, properly classified, and aligned with
business operations. Site visits are one of several tools used to accomplish this verification.
Official program overview:
USCIS FDNS Administrative Site Visit and Verification Program
Why Employers Are Selected for FDNS Site Visits
FDNS site visits are often misunderstood as a response to suspected wrongdoing. In practice, many
employers are selected through neutral or risk-based criteria unrelated to misconduct.
Common reasons for selection include participation in employment-based visa programs, recent
petition filings, and operational characteristics that warrant verification.
- H-1B, L-1, O-1, and other employment-based petitions
- High-volume or rapid-growth petitioning employers
- Third-party or off-site work arrangements
- Changes in worksite location, duties, or corporate structure
- Random or program-wide compliance initiatives
Selection for a site visit does not automatically place a petition at risk. The outcome depends
largely on whether the employer’s operations align with what has been represented to USCIS.
What Happens During an FDNS Site Visit
FDNS site visits are typically conducted during normal business hours. Officers or contractors may
arrive unannounced and request to speak with management, human resources personnel, or the sponsored
employee.
The purpose of the visit is verification, not interrogation. Officers generally seek to confirm
that the employer exists as described and that job details match the petition.
- Verification of the business location and operations
- Confirmation of job title, duties, salary, and reporting structure
- Interviews with supervisors or HR representatives
- Observation of the work environment
- Questions about company size, organization, and services
Officers may take notes and prepare a report that is shared internally within USCIS. Employers
typically do not receive a written outcome unless follow-up action is taken.
Common Issues Identified During FDNS Visits
Most issues identified during site visits stem from operational drift rather than intentional
misrepresentation. As businesses evolve, job duties, locations, and reporting relationships often
change without corresponding updates to immigration filings.
- Job duties that differ materially from the petition description
- Employees working from locations not listed in the filing
- Managers unfamiliar with the sponsored role
- Inconsistent organizational charts or reporting lines
- Corporate restructuring not reflected in USCIS records
Even small discrepancies can prompt Requests for Evidence (RFEs), Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs),
or additional compliance monitoring.
How FDNS Site Visits Intersect With Other Compliance Obligations
FDNS site visits are administrative inspections, but information gathered may be used to evaluate
compliance across related programs. Employers should view site visits as part of a broader
compliance ecosystem rather than a standalone event.
- Consistency with Form I-9 records and onboarding practices
- Alignment with Labor Condition Applications (LCAs)
- Accuracy of wage and worksite information
- Consistency between HR records and immigration filings
A well-organized compliance program reduces the likelihood that information collected during a
site visit raises unrelated concerns.
Preparing for FDNS Site Visits
Employers cannot control when an FDNS site visit occurs, but they can reduce risk through preparation
and internal alignment.
- Ensure immigration filings accurately reflect current operations
- Maintain updated job descriptions and organizational charts
- Train managers on basic details of sponsored roles
- Document changes that may require amended filings
- Establish a protocol for handling government visitors
Preparation focuses on consistency and documentation, not rehearsed responses. The goal is to ensure
that what officers observe matches what has been reported.
Related Employer Compliance Topics
Discuss FDNS Site Visit Preparedness
If your company has experienced an FDNS site visit or wants to ensure employment-based filings
accurately reflect current operations, proactive compliance guidance can help reduce risk and
avoid disruption.
can prepare.