Dependents who will be outside the U.S. when their current H-4 status expires do not need to file Form I-539/I-539A. Biometrics? Unfortunately, H4 visa holders are not supposed to work in the US and pretty much have to stay at home, not doing any work. i am also in same situation please let me know your experience. That is the length of time that you can to stay in the US. Or , this may create an issue at port of entry ? Thanks, Actually my query is- I am trying for new employer to transfer my H1B before my VISA expires in July. So, I started seeking out other opportunities. The Officer will confirm the petition on his computer and let you in. It is not necessary to have it at the exact City or around where you work. Can you show me some of your wedding pictures? 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. Generally, all H-4 visa applications must include the following: 2. The third part of the questions is about your spouse. Blogitivity Media FZ LLC, Ajman Media City UAE. H4 visa holders can legally: Work Get a drivers license Open bank accounts Go to school Be eligible for an ITIN (Tax ID) Receive a social security number 2. H-4 eligibilityObtaining and extending H-4 statusEmployment permitted for certain H-4 dependentsStudy permitted for H-4 dependents. . All Rights Reserved. New, Renewal? We have also included information on the current state of the H4 visa and some changes that may be made to the visa in the near future. H4 visa holders canapply for a change of status. My H1B Visa & I797 validity is 30 Sep. 2017. Obtaining an H4 visa in the U.S. opens up many doors. 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. A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. petition for an employee and their dependent family members (, petition for an employee, dependents who will be in the, Employment permitted for certain H-4 dependents, waiting periods for visa interview appointments, equal opportunity/affirmative action institution. 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. >>Can I use my friend address as mine while filling form? My wife &a kid are traveling for the first time to US and POE would be Boston. H4 visa holders can legally: Unlike most other visas, there is no cap on the number of H4 visas issued, and as of 2015, H4 visa holders can also legally work in the US. Do you have any proof of this? Can I use my friend address as mine while filling form? However, if you get accepted to an academic program in the US as an F-1 student, then you could get the F-1 visa, instead of the H4. It has already taken a year but employer B is not able to find a project for me. Your email address will not be published. This includes questions on how you met with your spouse and about your wedding. Jhansi, Dont worry too much about POE. Could you share your experience? What am I Allowed to Do in the US With an H4 Visa? Stilt is committed to helping immigrants build a better financial future. By applying for the H4 visa, these family members are granted temporary residence in the US during the time that the H1 visa-holding family member is working in the US. The answer, in this case, is yes. Were you asked any other set of documents ? i wana know in specific about POE chicago.is it cool? The applicant should bring all documents to the interview. Need some information , I got US VISA stamped on Oct 2015 and i got VISA for 3 years till Sept 2018 . If only minor children are applying for H-4 status, the eldest childs information is entered on the Form I-539 and each additional child completes a Form I-539A. My H1B new cap petition was approved in August 2021 for Client A with LCA based on State A. You might have to wait for years until your Green Card is approved. In this article, well talk about what documents are required for a H4 visa holder at the port of entry (airport landing in USA). 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: Copy of Form I-94 admission record from CBP 's I-94 website; Copy of admission stamp with notations in passport; Was your marriage registered? but i want to take risk. Well, in general, it is recommended to carry the original. You are expected to complete and submit the form prior to your scheduled interview at the Consulate or Embassy. You can check US Port of Entry Experiences Tracker to know more on common questions. I planned in Jan17 for my travel. When you schedule your interview, you will get a letter of confirmation, which you need to save for later. H1B primary I797 receipt required. Not affiliated with any government agency. 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. As long as you have everything in place and all details correct, without fraud, you should be fine. These are the documents your H-4 dependent (s) should carry to the visa interview: Copy of the H-1B employee's Form I-797 Approval Notice for the H-1B petition Proof of marriage and/or proof of a birth certificate Form I-797 Approval Notice for the I-539 change of status application, if applicable Valid passport I am also want to know about it. The interviewers will ask what you will do in the US and see whether you intend to engage in any illegal activities. Visit insubuy.com or call +1 (866) INSUBUY or +1 (972) 985-4400, Visit insubuy.com or call 1 (866) INSUBUY or +1 (972) 985-4400. What will you do after your visa is completed/expired? Not affiliated with any government agency. , No it wont , h1b transfer exempt from cap. Marriage Cert, I-797 for H-1, your EVL. That is why you should prepare the answers in advance. If, for example, your spouse is applying for an H-2A visa and you apply together, your visa will take the same time to process as your spouses. Though it is not a complicated process and most of the H1B holders are allowed to enter the US, there are few instances, where some were denied entry. What were the questions asked at POE? As i did not traveled to US till now and thinking to travel in Jan 2018. Beginning on May 26, 2015, select H4 visa holders became eligible to work in the U.S. To be able to work, an H4 visa holder must first apply for and be approved for an, The applicants spouse must be in the U.S. on a valid H1B visa, The applicant must be either the beneficiary of an I-140 OR her spouse must have extended H1B status. Many wives (and husbands) of H1 visa holders travel to the US, to stay with their spouses on this visa. What should be the answer for this ? Copyright 1999-2023 immihelp.com. Attach the following documents for each dependent to the Form I-539/I-539A: If dependents are in another country and will enter the U.S. in H-4 status, they do not need to file Form I-539/I-539A. A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer attaches Form I-94 to the nonimmigrant visitor's passport upon entry to the U.S. If their H4 status is updated accordingly (if new H1B) then it should be ok. IAM on h4 Visa and valid i94 till August but I dont have i797 copy with me is there any problem at Port of entry, I have valid Visa and i94 till August 24 2019 but I lost my i797 copy in my home country at the Port of entry what I have to do. GUIDE to Travel to US with valid Visa on Expired Passport ? That decision is up to the port of entry officers and the Department of Homeland Security. 12. Check out our guide for what to do in case of an H4 visa rejection. Rohit has extensive experience in credit risk analytics and data science. The tickets are booked by my employer, however, is it possible that they want to see my bank balance? Often requested but not always needed: a wedding album, wedding invitations, video of marriage proceedings, etc. Please correct if I am wrong. If H1B holder changes jobs and gets a new I797 will it impact on short visit travel for H4 holders? They may file a Form I-539/I-539A to change status to H-4 after the employees H-4 petition is submitted, but before their current status expires. This is my new employment, Im travelling to USA on my H1b for the first the time. This information does not constitute legal advice and should not be used as the sole source for making decisions that may affect an individuals legal status in the U.S. Please help me. This website uses cookies, some of which are essential for the functionality of the website while others are for improving user experience and personalization. Hi Kaushal, The date till you can stay in US is mentioned on your I-94 which will be issued at POE. CEAC Website, Errors Info. For example, if you get a temporary, non-agricultural job, you can apply for a change of status to an H-2B visa. Jayendran, If the passport is valid until the I-797 expiration date, then they take the I-797 expiry datebut, if passport expiry is earlier, they use the passport expiration date. I stayed in USA only 11 months of time. Have you travelled already or not? In this article, we cover H1B visa documents checklist that you need to carry and what you need be prepared with. 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. 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. Copy of my I-797 2. How to Check US Visa Status Online? 2023 Murthy Law Firm. I am really thankful to you. Currently I am in INDIA. Worst case, you will need to file a new LCA, get it approved and then file the H1B amendment and travel with a copy of the H1B amendment receipt notice along with the original H1B approval notice. immihelp.com is private non-lawyer web site. DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application confirmation page; Visa interview appointment confirmation page; Passport valid for at least six months beyond the H-1B employees authorization end date; Evidence of relationship to the H-1B employee: Evidence of H-1B employees status (copies of Form I-94, visa, approval notice, offer/support letter, Any other documents required by the specific. There are also no restrictions on where an H4 visa holder can work, which means that approved applicants are not limited to a specific employer and can even consider self-employment. Following you may find the questions that are usually asked during an H4 Visa interview. They did not ask any documents other than my passport. H-4 dependents may study in the U.S. on either a full or part time basis. Some lenders send a promissory note with your loan offer. In my couple of recent experience, they just asked for passport and took the receipt number from the visa stamp. When you are traveling to US for the first time and not sure, what and where to buy, you can take Short Term Travel Insurance from places like Visitors Coverage Health Insurance, where you can search and opt for the short term travel insurance. No, it does not. 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 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. 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. Apply for H-4 admission at a U.S. port of entry. What is the duration for which you have been married to your current spouse? The Form I-94 number also is known as the Departure Number or . Did you make this appointment for the interview? change status to an H-1B visa and then apply for the Green Card, the cost of health care in the US is very high. You would be asked a set of questions related to your employment, company or anything that is related to your H1B. My H1b visa has been stamped on my passport by the consulate. As H1B visa holder is entering US to work in US, they need to carry all the required documentation. Now for other opportunity I had filed my amendment in premium mode through Same employer E but Location was Chicago and Client B. However, definitely bring all key paperwork with you in your carry-on luggage, for two reasons: You will have the same opportunities as a student on an F-1 visa. I hope you reached Boston safely. 3. H1B Port of Entry Documents Checklist, Process, US Port of Entry questions by CBP Officer, Short Term Travel Insurance for Travel to US on H1B. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Instead, you will get an ITIN tax number. (Optional) Copy of your resume that was used in H1B visa filing, You will need the address information of where you will stay in America and what are the arrangements for the initial stay. All rights reserved. Proof of my employment in US: company letter and pays slips 3. Before 2015, H4 visa work was prohibited. The way in which the Form I-539/I-539A is filed will differ if dependents are filing it concurrently with or after an H-1B petition is filed. You need to answer the questions properly and correctly so that CBP officer can allow you to enter US. Were you engaged before getting married to your spouse? If your spouse is currently working in the U.S. on an H1-B visa, please submit the pay slips for the current calendar year and federal tax returns (IRS Form 1040 and W-2s) for all the years in which he/she has been employed in the U.S. on the H-1B visa. Getting health insurance for H4 visa holders will help in managing the costs of health care if someone gets ill or in an accident. Just make sure you have all the documents related to your current job in US. If your spouse is already in the United States, why are you choosing to apply for a visa now? Disclosure: Content may contain sponsored links to partner programs and affiliates, which may earn us a commission from sales generated, at no additional cost. As there is only 9 months time , Is there any possibility of sending me back to India at Port of Entry interview as i am travelling late ? By default they would assume employer mentioned on the visa stamp is the current employer. H1B1 Visa for Professionals from Chile and Singapore, O1 Visa for Persons With Extraordinary Ability, P Visa for Athletes, Artists and Entertainers. Children 14 years of age or older must sign the Form I-539/I-539A. Soon youll have your loan offer. Not a legal advice. U.S. Hi I came to India In Sep 2016 due to my wife surgery and delayed my travel due to her health condition and planned to travel in Feb 11th via Abu dabhi.Is there any problem in port of entry will they ask this timeline.My Visa is valid till July 2017. Technically, the original copy is advised to be held by USCIS on the approval notice. How long has your spouse been working for his/her current employer? The questions can range around topics like below, We have compiled a list of questions that you can expect, check US Port of Entry Questions by CBP Officer. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Also, you would need to carry the information of the person you are going to meet in America. Any time limit? The Embassy will notify you once they process your H4 visa. The H4 visa allows you to go to the US if you are married to a H visa holder. Luckily, with an H4 visa, dependent family members can join the H1 visa holder during their stay in the US. Who will financially support you in the US? Attach the following documents for each dependent to the Form I-539/I-539A: FSIS will review the Form I-539/I-539A for any obvious errors and mail the application with the H-1B petition. The Form I-765 is an H-4 spouses personal application for an optional benefit, so FSIS cannot assist with preparing and filing these applications. Below is the sample stamp that CBP officer places in your passport, if they let you into US and all the details that you need to check and verify. Complete Guide to Working on an H4 Visa in the U.S. DS 160 for H4 Visa: What You Should Know about It, Complete Guide to H4 Visa Interview Questions. The visitor must exit the U.S. on or before the departure date stamped on the Form I-94. Some people will particulate in a fake marriage to obtain a visa, so your interview should prove that you are your spouse are in fact married and have a close, loving relationship. I have booked one-way ticket as no airline issuing ticket beyond 10 months return at time. Travelers can speed up their entry into the U.S. by providing their biographic and travel information, and paying the $6 fee for their I-94 application online up to seven days prior . H-4 dependents are not eligible for employment authorization. Moreover, you can study at one of the U.S.s many universities and even apply to transition to an H1B visa. Will using an AP document delay my entry into the U.S.? Families need to consider the waiting periods for visa interview appointments and visa issuance and plan ahead to allow enough time to obtain the necessary visas to enter the U.S. Use this option when UH is filing an H-1B change of status petition for an employee and their dependent family members (e.g., F-2, O-3) will be in the U.S. at the time the employees change to H-1B status takes place. My flight is from Chennai -> Dubai -> Boston-> Philadelphia. You will also need to complete an H4 biometrics evaluation as part of the application process. Two Passport-size photograph. Submit the primary applicants last 6 months bank statements as well. Is this will effect the transfer process.The new employer is saying he will do transfer once premium is resumed(Probably USICS will resume in Sep). Are you planning to get a job in the United States? This page was generated at 10:36 PM. If yes what kind of answers will be feasible.. I will also bhi travelling next week. Information shared on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. After reaching USA i will be apply for extension. 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. once again thanks for this post. The visa on your passport does not matter for that. An H4 visa gives spouses and children under 21 of H1B visa holders the ability to join the visa holder in the US. 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. Did you have any revised client letter mentioning the date when client is expecting you or something like that. POE will be on the first City where you Land in USA. Required fields are marked *. You can also open a bank account and apply for loans. See Option B: H-4 in-country application procedures. Your valid passport with at least one blank page. If you have been granted the H4 visa, you will need to go for the visa stamping procedures. Instead, they need to follow the H-4 entry procedures. Yes, you can use the copy. And might even (in some circumstances) ask for some documents thatll verify your relationship with the visa sponsor. But, it is not a mandatory that you need to have the original. If asked about the delay, you can say that project was delayed etc. Option 3: Extend I-94 by Visiting Nearest SENTRI Enrollment Centre 5. You can check your visa status on the website of the US Embassy where you are applying by entering your application number. What form are you referring to? immihelp.com is private non-lawyer web site. The loan then gets disbursed into your U.S. bank account within a reasonable number of days (some lenders will be as quick as 2-3 business days). I am in a similar situation, can you tell me what happened to your case. 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? The H4 visa is issued to the dependent family members of an H1B visa holder (spouse and children under 21 years) who want to join the H1B visa holder in the United States. what are options available. Also my employer in i797 is different from what is on visa. All posts are moderated, so it will take time for your post to appear! >>Do I need return ticket? Input your search keywords and press Enter. The processing times for the H4 visa are different from country to country. Whom do you plan to reside with, in the United States? My employer on visa and i797 is same. Will that be sufficient at POE? So, if you have a copy, that should be good enough..Most employers are open to give the same, but you should be fine. These documents include: Most of these documents are required to prove that the marriage to the primary visa holder is valid. If you put any of these documents in luggage check-in you may be in difficult situation not able to show these documents. Stilt is backed by Y Combinator and has raised a total of $275M in debt and equity funding to date. After the employees H-1B petition is approved, they need to follow the H-4 entry procedures. After marriage, did you go for your honeymoon? Option 5: Attorney to file Extension with USCIS to extend I-94 7. Option 1: Extend I-94 by Crossing US Border by Land 3. You will have to show both the visa and the new petition at PoE. Could you please suggest on this , As i am very much tensed on this, Want to talk to you urgently. 2. Apply for H-4 admission at a U.S. port of entry below. What If Your H4 Visa Application Is Rejected? 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? Your spouses or parents most recent Form I-94, Copies of your spouses or parents I-129 form and I-797 form and notice of approval, Proof of your relationship with the H type visa holder, such as the marriage certificate for spouses and birth certificate for parents. Visitors website, Apply for a new I-94 (land border travelers only), See how much longer you can remain in the U.S. based on the terms of your admission, Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Record, Applying for Admission into United States. Saurabh, is it still ok to show copy of I797 at POE? You can then stay and work until 797 and I-94 expiration dates. If UH is filing an H-1B extension petition for an employee, dependents who will be in the U.S. when their current H-4 status expires must submit a Form I-539/I-539A application to extend their H-4 statuses. Proof of residence in USA of primary visa holder (ID copy or address proof). 1.Is there any time limit after VISA expiry to transfer to new company. Is the principal beneficiary of an approved Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker; or; Has been granted H-1B status under sections 106(a) and (b) of the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000 as amended by the 21st . Beginning on May 26, 2015, select H4 visa holders became eligible to work in the U.S. To be able to work, an H4 visa holder must first apply for and be approved for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). With so much riding on the H4 visa interview, knowing the interview questions beforehand can help you prepare for this very important step. By You need to carry all supporting documentation related to your H1B visa petition stating that you have a job in US and it is speciality occupation. Note:We do not offer visa/legal advice or application services, so we do not respond to such inquiries. All times are GMT-5. Hi, thanks for your reply. The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer does a short interview, would ask you few questions regarding your entry, verify the documents and then place a stamp on your passport with some dates on it. However, after 2015, H4 visa holders are allowed to work based on conditions specified by the H4 EAD program. At times, you may have to. Make sure you show the new petition to the officer. I am following your forum from few months. If you are within the US, you can submit yourH4 visa application through the USCIS. You can do this by filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. Pay stubs from principal applicants current place of work and income tax return. The University of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. When you start your H4 visa application, you will get the DS-160 barcode. Receipt proving payment of $160 for a nonimmigrant US visa application. (my visa is valid till 2017) H-1 visa holders are not required to book return ticket. 2. I gave I797 to Netherlands embassy for Schengen Visa and never got the original documents back. How long have you and your spouse been married? In his current role, he defines the overall business strategy, leads debt and capital fundraising efforts, leads product development, and leads other customer-related aspects for the company. no need for photo album and such things. I always get nervous upon port entry cant wait till the questions are finished! Documents Required for I-94 Extension. Did Imissanything ? Passport. Sai, You do not really transfer Visa, your employer would use the previous H1B approval to apply for cap exempt petition. So, it is important that you do not put in all your documents in the checked-in bags as you will not be able to have them before the Port of Entry interview with CBP officer. Technically, your new employer will apply for a fresh petition using your previous H1B case number, which is only used to identify that your petition is cap exempt and can be filed anytime. How to Apply for H4 EAD? 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. It should be fine. You cannot enter US without As or Bs approval notice and job tied to it. B1/B2, H1, F1? My work location is Pittsburgh, I POE will be Boston. Apply for H-4 admission at a U.S. port of entry below. If there are no red flags raised by the system, and CBP officer is convinced, they will let you enter US. The sooner you schedule your interview, the faster will you complete the wholeH4 visa application. 1. In your case POE will be Brussels. Many H4 visa holders have started their own businesses (with their own H4 loans), and have even hired their own employees as well. @Pooja - did you get a response to your question above. USCIS must receive the Form I-539/I-539A application by the business day on or before the current status end date. 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 changed your name after marriage, you should get it changed in your passport before applying for an H4 visa. Hi, I am coming to US on H1B with my wife and kid for the first time. Original Passport with valid H1B Visa stamp issued by Consulate on it. Pay the fee and save the receipt, as you will need it later during your application procedures. There after working in offshore till the date. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); IndiaUSAtravel.com is an online portal dedicated to topics related to travel and immigration to the USA from India. Below is complete list of documents to carry. my h1b visa revoked , due to landing in another location , but not in work location. I have a scanned original copy of my I 797. I am aware of some documents below she will need to carry with her to support her admission at port of entry, Any documents required while traveling to INDIA. The petition was filed for NJ and Client A through employer E. I never been in US. If they are not convinced, they can deny your entry to US and send you back to your home country. VISA is valid and stamped on her passport. https://www.immihelp.com/h4-visa-stamping-documents/. 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 ?
(codeandqa.com)
