Can the USCIS directly contact my previous employers?

As a general rule, no. The USCIS review of an O-1 visa petition focuses on the documentation submitted, not on routine outreach to your previous employers. What supports the application are the documents, recommendation letters, and evidence that demonstrate your extraordinary ability and recognition in your field.

The purpose of the review is to confirm that the O-1 criteria are met. Information about your experience and professional background reaches the adjudicator through those documents, not through direct contact with people who worked with you.

That said, when there are specific doubts or inconsistencies, the USCIS may request clarifications or additional evidence. In exceptional situations, verifying a piece of information may involve contacting third parties, but this is not standard practice in every case.

• The basis of the review is the petition documentation, not outreach to employers.
• Inconsistencies may trigger a request for clarification or additional evidence.
• Keep your professional history organized and verifiable.

It is therefore worth assembling a consistent and coherent file and, whenever you have questions about your case, checking the updated rules with the USCIS or with an immigration specialist.

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.