What Is an H-1B FDNS Site Visit and What Should Employers Expect?
By Pinal Dave | Last updated: 2026-08-02
TL;DR: USCIS's Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS) can conduct unannounced site visits to verify that an approved H-1B petition matches reality — the worker, the job duties, the worksite, and the wage. A contracted investigator typically shows up without notice, may interview the employer representative, the H-1B worker, and sometimes coworkers, and inconsistencies can trigger a Notice of Intent to Revoke or referral for further investigation. Employers should keep petition-supporting documents accessible and make sure the actual job matches what was filed.
The Claim
An H-1B approval isn't the end of USCIS's oversight — FDNS site visits are a compliance check that can happen at any point during the H-1B's validity, and a mismatch between what was filed and what's actually happening at the worksite carries real consequences.
The Evidence
USCIS's FDNS conducts site visits, often through the Administrative Site Visit and Verification Program (ASVVP), using contracted investigators who typically arrive unannounced at the petitioner's business address or the worksite listed on the Labor Condition Application. The visit generally verifies that the business exists and is operating, that the H-1B worker is employed as described, that the job duties and worksite match the petition, and that wage and other conditions are being honored. If the investigator finds inconsistencies — a different worksite, different job duties, the worker not present, or the business appearing non-operational — USCIS can issue a Notice of Intent to Revoke (NOIR) the underlying petition, or refer the matter for further investigation, which can affect not just that petition but future filings by the same employer.
Comparison: What FDNS Typically Checks
| Verification Point | What Investigators Look For |
|---|---|
| Business existence | Physical office, signage, evidence the business is actually operating at the listed address |
| Worker's actual role | Job duties matching those described in the LCA and I-129 petition |
| Worksite accuracy | Whether the worker is physically at the address listed, especially relevant for third-party placements |
| Wage compliance | Pay stubs or payroll records showing the required wage is being paid |
| Employer-employee relationship | Evidence the petitioner actually controls the work (relevant for consulting/staffing arrangements) |
Step-by-Step: How Employers Should Prepare
- Keep petition-supporting documents accessible at the worksite or readily retrievable — the approved I-129, LCA, and supporting evidence should be consistent with day-to-day reality.
- Make sure job duties and worksite match the filing. If a worker's actual duties or location have changed materially since filing, an amended petition may be required — don't wait for a site visit to surface the mismatch.
- Brief employees on what a site visit is, so they aren't caught off guard by an unannounced visitor asking questions about their role, salary, and worksite.
- Designate a point of contact who can speak to the company's H-1B compliance and access relevant records if an investigator arrives.
- If discrepancies are found, respond promptly and accurately to any follow-up request or Notice of Intent to Revoke, ideally with the help of immigration counsel, rather than letting the matter go unanswered.
Why This Matters Beyond One Petition
FDNS findings on one H-1B case can affect an employer's broader credibility with USCIS on future filings, and for third-party placement arrangements (staffing/consulting), site visit findings are a common source of RFEs and denials tied to employer-employee relationship and specific-worksite requirements. Because these visits are unannounced by design, the only real preparation is making sure your actual practices match your filed petitions at all times — not scrambling after the fact.
FAQ
Will USCIS notify my company before an FDNS site visit? No. Site visits under the Administrative Site Visit and Verification Program are typically unannounced.
What happens if the investigator can't verify the information in the petition? USCIS can issue a Notice of Intent to Revoke the petition or refer the case for further investigation, which can jeopardize the worker's status and affect the employer's future filings.
Do site visits happen for every H-1B petition? Not every petition is visited, but site visits are a routine, ongoing compliance tool USCIS uses across H-1B (and other) petitions, particularly in industries or arrangements associated with higher fraud risk, like third-party placements.
Can the H-1B worker be interviewed separately from the employer during a site visit? Yes, investigators may speak with the H-1B worker directly, as well as coworkers or supervisors, in addition to any employer representative present.