Most business owners assume that once a visa is approved, the hardest part is over.
It is not.
For E 2, L 1A, EB 5 Direct and even certain employment-based cases, approval is only the beginning. At any point, your company may be subject to an administrative site visit. And when that happens, FDNS officers are not reviewing your marketing brochure. They are reviewing your reality.
And reality lives in your books.
What Is an Administrative Site Visit?
Agencies such as USCIS through its Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate conduct unannounced site visits to verify that:
- The business exists and is operating
- The investor or executive is performing the role described in the petition
- Employees are real and properly classified
- The company structure matches what was submitted
- Financial activity reflects the business plan
Officers compare what they see on site with what was filed in your petition.
If your business plan says you have three full time employees, payroll records must support that.
If your projections show active revenue, bank statements and bookkeeping must confirm it.
If your petition states you operate from a commercial space, your lease and physical setup must reflect that.
Inconsistencies raise questions. And questions can trigger serious consequences.
Bookkeeping Is Not Optional. It Is a Legal Obligation.
Many foreign entrepreneurs are not aware that in the United States, maintaining organized financial records is not just good practice. It is a legal requirement.
Federal and state laws require businesses to:
- Maintain accurate accounting records
- Properly classify workers as W 2 employees or 1099 contractors
- File and pay payroll taxes correctly
- Keep documentation supporting income and expenses
- Preserve records in case of audit or review
Failure to maintain proper books can result in tax penalties, fines, loss of good standing with the state, and in immigration cases, loss of status.
For visa holders, disorganized books are more than a tax problem. They are an immigration risk.
What Officers Look For During a Visit
During an administrative visit, officers may ask for:
- Payroll summaries
- IRS filings such as 941 forms
- Organizational charts
- Lease agreements
- Bank statements
- Proof of active operations
They are not conducting a full tax audit. They are verifying credibility.
Does the company look like what was described?
Do staffing levels match the petition?
Is revenue consistent with projections?
Is the investor or executive truly directing the business instead of performing daily operational tasks?
If your bookkeeping is messy, incomplete, or inconsistent with your original filing, it becomes difficult to answer these questions confidently.
The Risk Most Entrepreneurs Do Not See
Here is what often happens.
A business is approved based on a strong, well prepared business plan. The first year is busy. Operations take priority. Bookkeeping falls behind. Employees are hired differently than projected. Revenue fluctuates. Payroll is handled informally.
Then a renewal approaches. Or a site visit happens.
Suddenly the numbers do not align with the narrative.
That gap between what was promised and what is documented can lead to Requests for Evidence, Notices of Intent to Revoke, or denial at renewal.
Not because the business failed.
But because the documentation failed.
Your Business Plan and Your Books Must Speak the Same Language
An immigration business plan is not a theoretical document. It sets expectations.
It outlines:
- Hiring timelines
- Revenue projections
- Operational structure
- Market positioning
- Investment allocation
Once submitted, those representations matter.
That is why bookkeeping must be aligned with the business plan from day one. Financial records are the proof that your company is operating as represented.
Without organized books, even a legitimate and profitable business can appear noncompliant.
Would You Be Ready Tomorrow?
If an officer walked into your business tomorrow and asked to see:
- Payroll reports
- Financial statements
- Proof of tax filings
- Evidence of active operations
Would you be able to produce them immediately and confidently?
This is not about fear. It is about preparation.
At Visa Business Plans, we do not create generic documents. We prepare detailed, credible immigration business plans that reflect operational reality and anticipate future scrutiny. And through our sister company, ProfitWise, we help businesses maintain organized, compliant books so that the numbers continue to support the immigration strategy long after approval.
An approval is not the finish line. It is the beginning of ongoing compliance.
If you are filing a petition, approaching a renewal, or simply unsure whether your current operations align with your original business plan, it may be time for a review.
Because when it comes to administrative visits, preparation is not optional.
Contact us today to get startedThe 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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