What Is Security Check
A security check is a background investigation conducted by U.S. federal agencies, primarily the FBI, Department of State, and Department of Homeland Security, to verify that an applicant poses no threat to national security or public safety. This check examines criminal history, immigration violations, terrorist watch lists, gang affiliations, and other disqualifying factors before approving a visa, green card, or adjustment of status.
When Security Checks Occur in Your Immigration Process
Security checks happen at different stages depending on your visa category and application type. If you are applying for adjustment of status (green card through USCIS Form I-485), the security check typically runs in parallel with your biometrics appointment. For consular processing (green card interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad), the check occurs after your visa interview is scheduled but before the consular officer makes a final decision.
Most employment-based visas (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3) and family-based petitions trigger security checks once your priority date becomes current. The check does not delay most cases, but certain profiles may trigger administrative processing, which can add 30 to 90 days or longer.
What Gets Checked
- Criminal records: Any felony, misdemeanor, or crime of moral turpitude in the United States or abroad automatically triggers closer review or denial.
- Security and terrorism databases: Name checks against the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC), the Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB), and the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS).
- Immigration history: Prior deportations, visa overstays, unauthorized work, or entry without inspection.
- Financial crimes: Money laundering, fraud, or sanctions violations.
- Gang and organized crime affiliations: Membership or suspected involvement in criminal organizations.
Timeline and Delays
Standard security checks resolve within 30 to 60 days for most applicants. However, if your name matches a record in security databases, is common, or triggers additional flags, your case may enter administrative processing. During this period, USCIS or the State Department conducts additional vetting, and your case can remain pending for several months.
If you are filing USCIS Form I-485, you can still attend your biometrics appointment while the security check runs. If a name match occurs, USCIS will request additional documentation, such as police clearance certificates or affidavits explaining past events. For consular processing, security checks often complete before your visa interview appointment is scheduled.
What Triggers Problems
- Common first or last names that match records in security databases.
- Any criminal conviction, even misdemeanors, depending on the offense and visa category.
- Previous visa denials or immigration violations.
- Prior deportation or removal proceedings.
- Work history in countries subject to U.S. sanctions.
- Incomplete or inconsistent information on USCIS forms (I-130, I-140, I-485).
What You Can Do
- Disclose all prior arrests, convictions, and immigration violations on your forms, even if charges were dropped or expunged. USCIS conducts its own background check and will discover this information.
- Obtain biometrics clearance as soon as your notice arrives. Delays in scheduling biometrics push back the entire timeline.
- If your name matches a record, provide secondary identification such as passport copies, birth certificates, or notarized affidavits to differentiate yourself.
- For prior criminal matters, obtain court disposition documents, attorney letters explaining mitigating factors, and any rehabilitation evidence for your file.
- Monitor your case status through the USCIS online portal (for adjustment of status) or contact the National Visa Center (NVC) if applying through consular processing.
Security Checks vs. Other Background Processes
Security checks work alongside biometrics, which capture your fingerprints and photographs for FBI and DHS criminal databases. Biometrics is the mechanism; security check is the search. If security issues arise, your case may enter administrative processing, a separate review period for complex or sensitive cases. This is distinct from the initial security check and adds time to your overall processing.
Common Questions
- Will a name match delay my case indefinitely? A name match typically adds 30 to 90 days, not indefinitely. Provide secondary identification and biographical details to resolve it. Most cases clear once USCIS confirms the match is coincidental.
- Do I need to hire an attorney if I have a criminal record? Not always, but certain crimes such as crimes of moral turpitude, drug trafficking, or violence make green card approval difficult or impossible. An immigration attorney can evaluate your specific conviction and advise on your options before filing.
- Can I travel while my security check is pending? If you have applied for adjustment of status and have not yet received your work permit and travel document (I-131), do not leave the United States without explicit advance parole authorization. If you exit without it, your green card application abandons automatically. If applying through consular processing, do not travel to the United States before your visa interview without prior authorization.
Related Concepts
Disclaimer: PetitionKit is a document preparation service, not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice or immigration strategy recommendations. Results may vary. Consult a qualified immigration attorney for complex cases.