Published on Date: November 11th, 2025.
What is VIBE? 🔗
The Validation Instrument for Business Enterprises
(VIBE) is a verification program used by the
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
[1]
to confirm the existence, structure, and operating status of business that petition for employment-based immigration benefits.
VIBE provides adjudicating officers with access to independent, third-party business data, currently supplied by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), to verify that a company filing a visa petition—such as Form
I-129 or Form
I-140 is a legitimate and active entity.
VIBE Considerations for UK E2 Treaty Visa Applicants
For more information for UK applicants follow this link
For more information for Singapore applicants follow this link
How USCIS uses VIBE 🔗
USCIS cross-checks the information provided in a petition against data maintained by D&B, including:
- Legal and trade names
- Business address and location
- Number of employees
- Gross annual income
- Type of business activity and
NAICS
If inconsistencies are found, USCIS may issue a
Request for Evidence (RFE)
or, in some cases, deny the petition until the discrepancies are resolved.
The VIBE program was formally launched in 2011 to improve transparency and consistency in employment-based adjudications. USCIS may periodically update its data providers, so it’s essential for petitioning employers to keep their
D-U-N-S® profile
accurate and consistent with every immigration filing.
Who does VIBE affect? 🔗
USCIS uses VIBE in adjudicating many employment‑based petitions and applications. While USCIS can check any employment-based case, the following nonimmigrant classifications are commonly referenced by practitioners and in USCIS materials:
USCIS have stated that they use VIBE to process the following types of visa applications:
| Visa Code |
Description |
|
E-1
|
Treaty trader |
|
E-2
|
Treaty investor |
|
E-3
|
Member of specialty occupation who is a national of the Commonwealth of Australia |
|
EB1-C
|
Multinational Manager |
|
H-1B
|
Specialty occupation worker |
|
H-1B1
|
Specialty occupation worker from Chile or Singapore |
|
H-1B2
|
Worker performing services related to a Department of Defense cooperative research and development project or coproduction project |
|
H-1B3
|
Fashion model of distinguished merit and ability |
|
H-2A
|
Temporary or seasonal agricultural worker |
|
H-2B
|
Temporary nonagricultural worker |
|
H-3
|
Trainee or special education exchange visitor |
|
L-1A
|
Intracompany transferee in a managerial or executive position |
|
L-1B
|
Intracompany transferee in a position utilizing specialized knowledge |
|
LZ
|
Blanket L petition |
|
Q-1
|
International cultural exchange visitor |
|
R-1
|
Religious worker |
|
TN
|
NAFTA professional from Canada or Mexico |
Examples of forms used in applications where USCIS check VIBE:
I‑129 (nonimmigrant worker), I‑140 (immigrant worker), I‑360 (certain religious workers), I‑485 Supplement J (bona fide job offer) contexts, and related employer evidence packets.
USCIS pulls a snapshot of business data and compares it to the claims in your petition. Fields typically evaluated include:
-
Legal entity name (including suffix and any recent DBA/rebrand)
-
Operating address and mailing address (suite/floor numbers must match your filings and evidence)
-
Telephone number and website (active, professional, and consistent with the petition)
-
NAICS / industry classification (should align with job duties and business model)
-
Headcount / number of employees (ties to payroll/PEO records)
-
Ownership and corporate hierarchy (parent/subsidiary/affiliate relationships)
-
Revenue range / operational status (avoid “out of business” flags)
Why mismatches occur: office moves with unupdated listings; rebrands; mergers/parent updates; PEO staffing; new or small companies lacking a D‑U‑N‑S profile; third‑party addresses (coworking) that don’t match articles/leases.
How VIBE affects adjudication outcomes 🔗
-
If VIBE validates your data: The officer may rely on it as corroborating evidence and proceed without delay.
-
If VIBE does not find you or shows inconsistency: Expect an RFE/NOID
[2]
asking you to explain and correct the record (often with guidance to update D&B).
-
At consulates: Cases may be held in administrative processing pending company verification.
Important: You can overcome VIBE issues by promptly updating D‑U‑N‑S and submitting consistent corporate evidence. USCIS adjudication is totality‑of‑the‑evidence—VIBE
[2]
is one factor.
Before you file: 7‑Point D‑U‑N‑S Alignment Checklist 🔗
-
Legal name (spellings, commas, and suffix must match corporate docs and all forms)
-
Operating address (use the exact suite/floor; ensure lease/utility evidence matches)
-
Phone & website(active; match letterhead, signatures, and domain email)
-
NAICS / industry (reflects actual operations and job duties)
-
Headcount (sync with payroll/HRIS or PEO confirmation)
-
Ownership / affiliates (parent/sub relations accurately reflected)
-
Revenue / operating status (no “out of business” warnings)
Where to update: Use Dun & Bradstreet’s D‑U‑N‑S Profile Manager (formerly iUpdate) to correct your company’s profile so that VIBE sees the current data.
Step-by-Step Checklist to Update Your VIBE Profile 🔗
-
Find your D‑U‑N‑S
using D&B’s Profile Manager.
-
Verify legal name exactly as in state records and on the petition.
-
Update address (include suite/floor; confirm USPS‑style formatting).
-
Confirm phone & website are active and owned by the company.
-
Set correct NAICS; if you recently pivoted, choose the code that best matches current operations.
-
Headcount: Use the current payroll snapshot or PEO report.
-
Ownership/affiliates: Add parent/subsidiary info, especially for L‑1/EB‑1C.
-
Save/submit and keep the confirmation or screenshots for your records.
-
If you received an
RFE/NOID
[2]
: Include the D&B confirmation and aligned corporate evidence in your response.
Evidence to Pre‑Empt VIBE RFEs? 🔗
Consider attaching (as appropriate): - State registration (good standing certificate) and Articles/Operating Agreement) - IRS EIN letter and recent tax return (redact as needed) - Lease and/or utility bill for the operating address - Payroll register or PEO confirmation of employee count - Org chart (for L‑1/EB‑1C, include U.S./foreign entities and reporting lines) - Parent‑subsidiary proof (stock ledger, ownership schedules, share certificates) - Website printouts (home page, careers, contact page with address/phone).
Common Mismatches and How to Fix Them 🔗
|
Scenario
|
What VIBE Sees
|
What to Do
|
|
Recent office move
|
Old address or “no match”
|
Update D&B with new address; include lease/utility + USPS change of address if available
|
|
Rebrand/DBA
|
Different legal/marketing names
|
Ensure D&B shows legal name + DBA; align letterhead and forms
|
|
PEO/outsourced HR
|
Headcount appears too low
|
Provide PEO agreement and payroll reports; update D&B headcount
|
|
New startup
|
No D‑U‑N‑S record yet
|
Create D‑U‑N‑S profile; add website/phone; include state registration and bank letter
|
|
Parent restructure
|
Ownership not reflected
|
Update D&B hierarchy; include cap table/board resolutions
|
The Use of VIBE in US Consulates 🔗
While VIBE was developed by USCIS primarily for petition-based employment classifications, its data is also available to consular officers through the Department of State’s internal systems. This is particularly relevant for E-1 Treaty Trader and E-2 Treaty Investor applications, which are adjudicated almost entirely at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad, rather than by USCIS in the United States.
For E-2 visa applicants, this means that maintaining a consistent and accurate D-U-N-S record—including correct address, ownership, and operational details—can help avoid unnecessary questions during consular review, even though the ultimate decision rests on statutory E-2 criteria rather than VIBE output.
VIBE Verification FAQs for Employers and Investors 🔗
Who are Dunn & Bradstreet?
Established in 1841, Dunn & Bradstreet is a major US Public Company in the credit reporting and business information industry. Dunn & Bradstreet are the current provider of the information USCIS use in their VIBE program.
Do we need to “register” for VIBE?
No. There is no VIBE registration. USCIS queries third‑party data (currently D&B). Keep your D‑U‑N‑S profile accurate.
Will USCIS deny solely because of VIBE?
Not by itself. Typically you’ll get an RFE/NOID
[2]
to address discrepancies or lack of data.
How do I Check to See if the Information on my Business is Correct in VIBE?
As Dunn & Bradstreet are the current provider of VIBE this involves checking the information held by Dunn & Bradstreet. This can be done by visiting About the D-U-N-S Number.
What if my Business is Not Listed in VIBE?
If your business is not listed in VIBE then you can register it by visiting Find Answers to Your D-U-N-S Number Questions Here. This can however be a complex process which the lawyers in on our firm can complete for you.
Where is D&A’s VIBE Registration Team Based?
Our firm has a VIBE registration team in Manila, Philippines and Virginia, USA. This split timezone allows our immigrant visa and non-immigrant visa immigration lawyers to work on VIBE registrations 24 hours a day.
Do USCIS Provide Information on VIBE?
Which forms are affected?
Common touchpoints include I‑129, I‑140, and I‑360 contexts, plus evidence submitted to support I‑485 Supplement J. Officers can consult VIBE in other employment‑based cases as needed.
How fast do D&B updates flow to VIBE?
Processing times vary. Update immediately upon filing or upon learning of a mismatch, and submit proof of your corrections with your petition or RFE response.
Does coworking space hurt VIBE?
No per se, but you must show a bona fide operating address (consistent lease/license, signage if applicable, and active phone/website). Ensure D&B reflects the exact suite.
International groups (L‑1/EB‑1C): what’s special?
Hierarchy and ownership must be crystal clear in D&B and your evidence. Make sure all relevant entities’ names and relationships are synchronized across state records, D&B, and petition exhibits.
Additional Reference and Context on VIBE 🔗
Legal Framework
The Validation Instrument for Business Enterprises (VIBE) was introduced by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) through its Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) Directorate.
VIBE is not a separate regulation but an information-verification process authorised under the evidence provisions of 8 CFR § 103.2(b).
Primary References
Illustrative Example
A U.S. subsidiary’s L-1 petition produced a VIBE RFE after its D-U-N-S record listed only one employee. Once the record was updated and supported by current payroll and IRS filings, USCIS approved the petition without further delay. This illustrates that timely correction and clear documentation are the key factors in resolving VIBE issues.
Summary
- Maintain accurate and current D-U-N-S information.
- Provide proactive explanations for any discrepancies.
- A VIBE mismatch signals a need for verification, not a negative finding.
- Proactive maintenance of business data prevents avoidable delays.
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration outcomes depend on the specifics of each case, and E-2 investor visa applications are subject to USCIS review and approval. Prospective investors should consult a qualified U.S. immigration attorney before making any decisions regarding investment or immigration strategy.
(Source: U.S. Department of State, February 2025 Consular Processing Policy Update.)
Attorney Credentials (Mark I Davies, Esq.)
Mark I Davies, Esq. JD, University of Pennsylvania Law School, Licensed with the SRA (SRA ID: 384468) in the UK, Member Law Society of England & Wales, MBA, Wharton School of Business. Top 10 Investment Visa Lawyer, Licensed (USA), Georgia State Bar. AILA Member.
| Area |
Details |
|
Education
|
JD, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School | MBA (Finance), The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania | Chartered Accountant (ICAEW) |
|
Financial Training
|
Completed Analyst Training Program at a major international bank | Chartered Accountant background with professional training in financial analysis and reporting |
|
Legal Practice
|
Admitted to practice in Georgia (USA) | Registered Solicitor with the Law Society of England & Wales | Former CMBS lawyer at one of the world’s largest international law firms |
|
Immigration Track Record
|
15+ years advising HNW investors |
Zero denials for clients advised on source-of-funds compliance in EB-5 | Hundreds of successful EB-5 cases globally
|
|
Recognition
|
Named a
Top 25 EB-5 Immigration Attorney by EB5 Investors Magazine (2018–2023)
|
|
Professional Engagements
|
Lecturer/trainer for other lawyers at AILA, ACA, University of Pennsylvania Law School | Frequent speaker at global investment immigration conferences |
