Do I need to request a ‘Background Check’ from the FBI?

In general, no. During the H-1B process, you do not need to open a Background Check on your own with the FBI. The background check is conducted by the U.S. government itself as part of the petition review.

In practice, here is how it works:

• when the petition is filed, your biometric data is collected, such as fingerprints;
• that data is cross-referenced against official records maintained by responsible agencies, including the FBI;
• identity and background verification takes place in an integrated manner, conducted by the DHS and USCIS.

If any point requires clarification, it is the immigration authority itself that typically reaches out during the review. In other words, you do not initiate a separate criminal background check request.

Since procedures can change, always confirm current requirements through official USCIS sources or a qualified specialist, and be cautious of services that charge for a step the government already handles.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.