2.Now I stayed more than 10 months India After return from USA. 1. They did not ask any documents other than my passport. My H1B Visa & I797 validity is 30 Sep. 2017. My Query is after july I cannot renew(or) extend my Visa? Hi, I am coming to US on H1B with my wife and kid for the first time. A passport - H4 visa applicant and the H1 visa holder. To apply for a visa, the applicant must begin the H4 visa process and fill out a DS-160 form online and then attend their visa interview. I hope you reached Boston safely. I am planning to travel to USA on 26 Aug. 2017. It is best for dependents to apply at the U.S. embassy/consulate having jurisdiction over their place of residence, though they may apply at any U.S. embassies/consulates worldwide that permit third country nationals applications. But, it is not a mandatory that you need to have the original. So, its a good idea to carry all such documents with you, just in case. Blogitivity Media FZ LLC, Ajman Media City UAE. >>Can I use my friend address as mine while filling form? A: An H-4 nonimmigrant alien's authorized stay in the United States is contingent on the continued validity of the H-1B principal alien's status. You can do this by filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. Once you arrive in the U.S., you can apply for a drivers license. The procedure is easy and you can open it by providing your passport and local ID card. Sample H4 Visa US Entry Stamp at Port of Entry by CBP Officer, Travel to USA Processes, Samples, How to Guides, Visa Category Stamps by CBP Officer at Port of Entry, US Visa Interview Waiver Options extended until Dec 31st, 2023. Moreover, you can study at one of the U.S.s many universities and even apply to transition to an H1B visa. In order to remain in the U.S., the child must change to a different nonimmigrant visa status (e.g., F-1 student, B-2 visitor). Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Not affiliated with any government agency. check out the. The visa on your passport does not matter for that. If there are any issues, they would take you for secondary inspection and ask more questions and verify more documents and hold you for sometime. Visa fees Fees to be paid in advance before taking an appointment. I am currently in INDIA and looking for H1b transfer. What are the documents needed for me to accompany them and is it a good option to travel at this time. This page was generated at 10:36 PM. . You need to take the following steps when applying for H4 visa: You will need to fill Form DS-160 online. If they are not convinced, they can deny your entry to US and send you back to your home country. Receipt of the fee paid details. You will be interviewed by CBP Officer at the port of entry and they need to let you in after review. Can I use my friend address as mine while filling form? Consider this as another visa interview and be confident. Who will financially support you during your period of stay in the United States? i am also in same situation please let me know your experience. Whom do you plan to reside with, in the United States? Can I say its a critical work requirement for a month! STEM OPT card ( if applicable) that you may have used before H1B. Yes. Optional documents to carry Proof of residence in USA of primary visa holder (ID copy or address proof). My employer cannot extend VISA due to current situation. Mine is similar case. Can you show me a document that legally states your marriage to the H-1 Visa holder? Copyright 1999-document.querySelector("#footer-year").innerHTML=new Date().getFullYear(); immihelp.com. Family members can mail the Form I-539/I-539A application packet to USCIS on their own, or file the Form I-539 online for each dependent. When family members are admitted into the U.S. as H-4 dependents, their documents must be returned and an admission date stamp is placed in their passport with the notations H-4 and a date indicating the period they are authorized to stay in the U.S. CBP will issue an electronic Form I-94 for each person to access and print at the CBPs I-94 website. How is port of Entry in DFW. Stronger applications get better loan offers. As H1B visa holder is entering US to work in US, they need to carry all the required documentation. The applicant should bring all documents to the interview. If the H-1Bs spouse is applying for H-4 status, the spouse completes the Form I-539 with their own information and sign the form in Part 5. H-4 dependents may study in the U.S. on either a full or part time basis. Do I need return ticket? Carry all the documents that your employer gave. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issues Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, to aliens who are: All persons need a Form I-94 except U.S. citizens, returning resident aliens, aliens with immigrant visas, and most Canadian citizens visiting or in transit. My flight is from Chennai -> Dubai -> Boston-> Philadelphia. Apply for H-4 admission at a U.S. port of entry. File H4 EAD yourself with I-765 form, document checklist. Valid I797 of the primary visa holder. Wedding photographs where you and your spouse are clearly seen in the pictures and DVDs. Individuals who already have H-4 visas that will be valid on the date they arrive in the U.S. do not need to apply for new ones and may also proceed to 2. My LCA is Reston (Virginia) on h1b petition . Srinivas, 1. This page was not helpful because the content: Preparing for Your Biometric Services Appointment, Identity Verification and the USCIS Immigrant Fee, Tips on Finding Your A-Number and DOS Case ID, Forms Processed at USCIS Lockbox Facilities, Additional Information on Filing a Reduced Fee Request, Department of State (DS) Forms and Other Non-USCIS Forms, CBPs I-94, Travel Records for U.S. Evidence of the H-1B employees status (copies of Form I-94, visa, approval notice, offer/support letter. Here, we put together this guide with all the information you need to know about the H4 visa and how you can apply for the visa. I have valid H1B visa till 2019. POE will be on the first City where you Land in USA. Which type of visa do you want approval for? The CBP officer would review the applicants file in system and ask them common questions like where they are going to work, city name, company name, salary, validity of approval notice and may ask to give the documents to verify. The processing times for the H4 visa are different from country to country. A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. The University of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Each family member must bring the following items to the port of entry: Individuals are not guaranteed entry to the U.S. Best for VisitorsEconomical PlanCOVID19 includedCovers MedicalPre-Existing ConditionsFirst Health Network, Rated A ExcellentCOVID19 includedCovers MedicalCovers DentalTrip CancellationFull Refund on Cancel, Last Updated on January 28, 2023 by Mani Karthik. If this is your first visit, be sure to Two US visa photographs. but i want to take risk. 1.Is there any time limit after VISA expiry to transfer to new company. My wife is coming to US for the first time, can any one pls let me know what are the documents that we require at port of entry for H4? When a parent or spouse obtains their US work visa, many families find themselves dreading the idea of having to live apart from the visa holder. And what are the questions they askedd you in POE? Hi, thanks for your reply. I have H1B petition approve till Sep 2017 but visa issue (stamped in Passport) till Sep 2017. 2 months back I came back to USA. My employer provided the letter to me for the port of Entry. Well, you need to work with company A or B and they need to work it out properly. So you need to show them the petition to make sure that the I-94 is issued based on this 797 and old petition. At POE, he was asked the question about visa expiry and he said the same that his employer will file for extension in a week. Can I stay beyond Sep 2017 (till Sep 2018) or I need to do some formalities once coming? please keep us posted. Mine is also the same issue, US consulate in hyderbad took my original I-797 document and got misplaced, now they are saying they do not have it. By continuing to browse this website, you agree to our use of cookies. If your application meets the eligibility criteria, the lender will contact you with regard to your application. Passport valid for at least six months beyond the H-1B authorization end date (if a passport will expire before the H-1B end date, that person will be granted a shorter period of stay); Copy of admission stamp with notations in passport; Copy of H-4 visa in passport (if any); and. Many H1 visa holders want to stay with their children or spouses, and often, these dependent family members (spouses and children under 21 years of age) rely on the H1 visa holder to financially support them. H4 or L2 and EAD workers: If you are working on EAD while having an H4 or L2 visa, then you should have a recent 3 to 6 pay stubs and your employment letters. They do not need to go for renewal or new visa stamping. Apply for H-4 admission at a U.S. port of entry below. I stayed in USA only 11 months of time. there was a question on PoE but no problems at all. When you travel and arrive in US in flight or ship, you would go through Port of Entry Procedures , where a CBP officer would interview you and stamp your passport. Please make an entry at your Work location(LCA location).Dont get into any sort of trouble with the CBP officers(atlease there will be some additonal questions at POE and be prepared for answering that).If you cannot avoid going to chicago atleast show them the flight ticket you booked for going to your work location.But I would strongly advice you to land at your work location. The interviewer will ask you questions about her/him in order to figure out if the spouse already in the US can maintain you financially, is they have a stable job, and if they intend to remain in the US for long. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Therefore, any additional documents that will help prove the validity of the marriage would be very helpful in getting your H4 visa approved. It is acceptable ? Mario, How was you experience in using I797 copy and not original at port of entry? Let me know can i travel to USA due to short visa validity issue ( 5 weeks) If I travel , is there any chance to deport at Port of entry due to short visa validity issue ( 5 weeks). Your valid passport with at least one blank page. Also, you should know the address of the place you'll be staying when you arrive, and the name of your employer and what kind of work you'll be doing. If the child is under 14, the H-1B employee signs the Form I-539/I-539A and provides their own information in Part 5. In addition to this form, you will have to also submit these supporting documents: When you attend the interview for an H4 Visa, the consular officer will ask you several questions. The Employer mentioned there will be some risk at Port of Entry as i am travelling late . Will I be eligible to travel to State B with the stamped visa once the amendment petition has been filed? How long has your spouse been working for his/her current employer? Proof of my employment in US: company letter and pays slips 3. My Question is 1. What am I Allowed to Do in the US With an H4 Visa? The sooner you schedule your interview, the faster will you complete the wholeH4 visa application. Will there be any issues at POE ? Did Imissanything ? If you are not working as an H4 visa holder, you will not be allowed to get a Social Security Number (SSN). But the amendment got rejected after giving RFE. You can check out other Visa Category Stamps by CBP Officer at Port of Entry to understand how they look. If yes, how much fund would be enough to keep in bank? Under the automatic visa revalidation provision of immigration law, certain temporary visitors holding expired nonimmigrant visas who seek to return to the United States may be admitted at a U.S. port of entry by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including, but not limited to the following: https://www.immihelp.com/h4-visa-stamping-documents/. Provide any additional information if required. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) resumed premium processing today for all H-1B visa petitions subject to the Fiscal Year year (FY) 2018 cap. However, although not mandatory, most US residents have health insurance anyway, simply becausethe cost of health care in the US is very high, and people with an average income cannot afford it if they have to pay out of pocket. Once it is all good, then the officer would stamp the passport and enter the admit until date and class as H1B on the passport stamp. You need to answer the questions properly and correctly so that CBP officer can allow you to enter US. Copyright 1999-2023 immihelp.com. You might have to wait for years until your Green Card is approved. US CBP officer may ask to review all the documents as needed. U.S. However, if the family members are in an independent status (e.g., F-1, O-1), they can remain in that status as long as it is valid. Before 2015, H4 visa work was prohibited. My employer on visa and i797 is same. She is traveling with two kids so it is more convinient since Chicago is a direct flight from Delhi. What do you plan on doing in the United States? What would be the best answer that I can give to the officer at POE? You will have the same opportunities as a student on an F-1 visa. Anyone who was ever a visa overstay in the U.S. must apply for the visa at a consular office in their country of nationality. If a copy of the passport is submitted, it should be a good copy, and the photo must be clearly identifiable. Saurabh, is it still on to show copy of I797 at POE? H1B Visa Approval notice from USCIS ( Form I-797A Notice of Action), Job offer letter given by the H1B sponsoring company, Employee agreement that you may have signed with your H1B Sponsoring company, Your original educational certificates from Bachelors degree, Masters Degree(if applicable), your high school certificates ( 10th, 12th grade), If you have studied in US like MS or any other degree, you need to carry below documents, OPT card related to your employment before H1B Visa. 3. can any1 suggest , how to prepare for embassy to get stamp again, hi Rama sorry to hear about that..Can you please elaborate more please,because my end client is in Chicago, but due to port of entry issues that i have been hearing..i booked my flight to Dallas,from there will fly to Chicago,if i get through immigration..Please suggest on this, Hi Banu, What did you reach Chicago ? A visa interview appointment letter and a copy of the Form G-1145 (online notification of the application acceptance) You should bring the form DS-160 - barcode printed for the interview. Hi I came to India In Sep 2016 due to my family emergency and delayed my travel working in offshore and planned to travel in Apr21st .Is there any problem in port of entry will they ask this timeline.My Visa is valid till July 2017.My employer told me he will file extension once reached to USA. Getting H1B Visa at Consulate does not mean you can enter the US automatically. (my visa is valid till 2017) H-1 visa holders are not required to book return ticket. Received an H-1B extension beyond the usual six-year maximum based on a permanent labor certification application or Form I-140 petition having been filed on their behalf at least 365 days prior to the end of the sixth year in H-1B status. If you have any questions, send us an email at [emailprotected]. If you put any of these documents in luggage check-in you may be in difficult situation not able to show these documents. Please share your POE experience. As of April 30, 2013, most Arrival and/or Departure records are created electronically upon arrival. This visa has been criticized a lot and some people call it the slave visa since it restricts the visa holders rights in some ways. Send copies of entry documents to FSIS. I have lost my I 797 while traveling to india. Regarding the same, I have a couple of queries which are mentioned below: 1) Is it safe to travel to the USA with this new employer here in India? Absolutely and strictly routine. Below is complete list of documents to carry. Please let me know. Original Form I-129 and one copy of the principal visa applicants. US Port of Entry questions by CBP Officer 5. once again thanks for this post. After the H-4 family members are admitted into the U.S., send FSIS the following documents for each dependent so we can update our records and check that each person was admitted properly at the port of entry: If family members are currently in the U.S. in a qualifying status, they can file Form I-539 and Form I-539A for each additional dependent (see the Form I-539 instructions) to apply for H-4 changes of status or extensions. The H4 visa holder may start a business of any kind, The H4 visa holder may continue eligibility got EAD even if employment is not sought, H4 Visa Process: How to Apply for an H4 Visa. . Option 3: Extend I-94 by Visiting Nearest SENTRI Enrollment Centre 5. >>Can I stay beyond Sep 2017 (till Sep 2018) or I need to do some formalities once coming? You can enroll in academic courses or programs. I always get nervous upon port entry cant wait till the questions are finished! A child can no longer stay in the U.S. as an H-4 dependent once they turn 21. immihelp.com is private non-lawyer web site. If you are within the US, you can submit yourH4 visa application through the USCIS. Obtaining an H4 visa in the U.S. opens up many doors. However , I want to land and stay in SFO to visit my close relative for 1 week. The following is the list of documents required to prepare for H4 visa stamping. An H4 visa gives spouses and children under 21 of H1B visa holders the ability to join the visa holder in the US. What form are you referring to? Check Sample H1B Approval Notice , read the text on it. In this article, we cover H1B visa documents checklist that you need to carry and what you need be prepared with. Is there any issue while port of entry is different than the actual city of stay. Please correct if I am wrong. At times, you may have to. When you apply for the H4 visa, you will have to submit your spouses or parents I-797 form. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. ? What will you do after your visa is completed/expired? My Visa is Going to expire on July . Consider this as another visa interview and be confident. In my couple of recent experience, they just asked for passport and took the receipt number from the visa stamp. The US authorities in charge of issuing visas are interested to know more about you, the reason for applying for a visa, and more. Who will financially support you in the US? I am with the same employer since 2008 and recently moved to US on Oct 2016 for the same company. 1 copy of admission stamp with notations in passport; 1 copy of Form DS-2019, I-20, or I-797A/I-797B (as applicable); 1 copy of passport biodata/expiration page(s); 1 copy of marriage certificate for spouse; 1 copy of birth certificate for each child; and, 1 copy of any other required documents listed on the, An approved Form I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (. If you have been granted the H4 visa, you will need to go for the visa stamping procedures. Your H1 petition approval and the H4 visa on her passport. Did the officer ask you why would you want to travel with just 1 month left? 2) In case, if I travel and later on move forward for the visa transfer with them will I be needing the I-797 form from employer B? Sai, Assuming you are talking about H1BWithout your employer, you cannot renew your visa. How long has your spouse been working in the US? I have a scanned original copy of my I 797. The U.S. Department of States U.S. embassies and consulates website contains information on visa application requirements and instructions on how make appointments for a visa interviews. There are several H4 visa documents the applicant must bring to either prove their marital status or their dependency on the primary visa holder (H1B family member). Proof of residence in USA of primary visa holder (ID copy or address proof). They may ask the following questions to every H4 visa applicant: The interviewer will ask you several questions about your marriage. My Employer is located at Virginia but Im getting down at Chicago as port of entry in USA to attend a personnel function and will be there for few days. For visitors, travel, student and other international travel medical insurance. Can I use a I-797 COPY at the POE if I do not have the original. Are you planning to get a job in the United States? I would suggest writing either the "Port of Entry/Exit" as "MAA - ABU DHABI INTL" or the name of the US airport where you landed first. Technically, the original copy is advised to be held by USCIS on the approval notice. 12. I dnt have Marriage certificate to apply h4 visa to go US. How to Apply for H4 EAD? You can also open a bank account and apply for loans. Visitors website to: If you cannot get your Form I-94 from the CBP website, you may file Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Record, with USCIS. Your interview and application will determine whether you will be granted the H4 visa or not. By Murali, Yes, you should be fine to use the valid US visa to travel to the new state B. I have h1b stamping valid till Sep 2022 from employer A and currently i am working with employer B with i-797 approved till 2023. Have you travelled already or not? I am really thankful to you. I am coming to USA on H1B with my wife first time and will be landing to LCA state and staying with friend who is also employee with my H1B Sponsor. The visitor must exit the U.S. on or before the departure date stamped on the Form I-94. it would be very helpful. Address and Contact information in USA 4. Mandatory Documents: H4 visa Valid I797 of the primary visa holder. Instead, you will get an ITIN tax number. The duration of their study depends on the H-1B employees period of stay. I am aware of some documents below she will need to carry with her to support her admission at port of entry 1. I am assuming you mean expiring in August MidIt is pretty fine, they will give you I-94 end date until your H1B approval date. If you have changed your name after marriage, you should get it changed in your passport before applying for an H4 visa. My H1B visa is approved in Feb16. You can learn more about the H4 visa interview and interview questions in our complete guide. Not a legal advice. Also my employer in i797 is different from what is on visa. (If you have previously been rejected). Children 14 years of age or older must sign the Form I-539/I-539A. List of documents required for H4 at port of entry? H4 Visa Stamping Documents You will need the following documents for getting H-4 visa stamping: Mandatory Documents Current passport as well as old passports One photograph (Only for dropbox appointment) Confirmation page of online submitted Form DS-160 with CEAC bar code. When can you Apply for H1B Visa Stamping after Petition Approval? Now my question is, can I travel with my original H1B at NJ and work remotely for my client in Chicago ? (my visa is valid till 2017). H-4 dependents are not eligible for employment authorization. akm6270, November 21, 2014 in Travel. I ll be traveling to Chicago first next I ll head to Pittsburgh. If your spouse is already in the United States, why are you choosing to apply for a visa now?