Did you travel from the same company which got H1B stamped for you? 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. Check out our guide for what to do in case of an H4 visa rejection. My work location is Pittsburgh, I POE will be Boston. The visa on your passport does not matter for that. Your email address will not be published. Do you have any proof of this? What is the highest degree of your spouse? (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. You can enroll in academic courses or programs. If you are outside the US, you will need to submit your application for H4 Visa at the US Embassy where your spouse or parent has applied or in your home country if you and your spouse are of different nationalities. 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 (. Pay stubs from principal applicants current place of work and income tax return. The answer, in this case, is yes. Did they call your employer and checked if employer is expecting you? i wana know wat questions will be asked for an h4 holder at the port of entry .my frds r saying tat thy r asking too many questions in recent times due to bad economic conditions in USA. Thanks in advance (& sorry for many questions), Correction: My petition approve till Sep 2018*. One way ticket is fine. So, its a good idea to carry all such documents with you, just in case. All rights reserved. See Option B: H-4 in-country application procedures. My wife will be travelling on her own for first time to US on H4 visa. All pages of the principal applicants passport (if not applying with principal applicant). This isnt a necessity, but I know of instances where this question was asked, and just because there was no immediate answer, more questions were asked. They may ask the following questions to every H4 visa applicant: The interviewer will ask you several questions about your marriage. It should be fine. 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. Who paid for your wedding, and how much did it cost? Under the automatic revalidation provision of immigration law, certain temporary visitors holding expired nonimmigrant visas who seek to return to the U.S. may be admitted at a U.S. port-of-entry by CBP, if they meet certain requirements, including, but not limited to the following: Nonimmigrants who departed the United States for brief travel . This form states the dates that the visa of your spouse or parent is valid. If there are no red flags raised by the system, and CBP officer is convinced, they will let you enter US. 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. As of April 30, 2013, most Arrival and/or Departure records are created electronically upon arrival. So nearest airport is Washington DC. Each family member must bring the following items to the port of entry: Individuals are not guaranteed entry to the U.S. Information shared on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. My initial h1b visa got approved from May 2022 to Sep 2023 for texas location and I even stamped it and it has the validity till Sep 2023 and I havent travelled to US yet on this visa. But the amendment got rejected after giving RFE. 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. GUIDE to Travel to US with valid Visa on Expired Passport ? Therefore, any additional documents that will help prove the validity of the marriage would be very helpful in getting your H4 visa approved. If USCIS receives the Form I-539/I-539A late, dependents may accrue unlawful presence. 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). Mine is similar case. Before 2015, H4 visa work was prohibited. Stilt is committed to helping immigrants build a better financial future. 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. After you get H1B Visa stamping done and complete all thepre-departure tasks for H1B Visa in your home country, you need to plan for your port of entry process. If they are not convinced, they can deny your entry to US and send you back to your home country. What form are you referring to? Some lenders send a promissory note with your loan offer. Luckily, with an H4 visa, dependent family members can join the H1 visa holder during their stay in the US. When entering US, they would issue I-94 on the basis of your 797, unless the passport is expiring earlier. CEAC Website, Errors Info. Hi Jhansi, When is your travel date and from which company are u travelling. Also note that the employer on the visa and the I-797 are different. It has already taken a year but employer B is not able to find a project for me. 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. If a copy of the passport is submitted, it should be a good copy, and the photo must be clearly identifiable. 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. 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. What am I Allowed to Do in the US With an H4 Visa? How is port of Entry in DFW. If they have doubts they can access USCIS system to confirm that petitions authenticity. Is it fine if i land in SFO and after few days travel to Reston(work location). However, if you apply for a Green Card from an H4 visa, it might take too long for your priority dates to become current. 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. Based on this, the US Embassy will also grant you a visa with the same validity of your spouses or parents visa. Check Sample H1B Approval Notice , read the text on it. Who will financially support you during your period of stay in the United States? These officers have the discretion to admit family members in H-4 status and may refer them to a more detailed secondary inspection. That decision is up to the port of entry officers and the Department of Homeland Security. I am first time traveler. By continuing to browse this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Thanks for you value able advice. Unfortunately, H4 visa holders are not supposed to work in the US and pretty much have to stay at home, not doing any work. Also my employer in i797 is different from what is on visa. The petition was filed for NJ and Client A through employer E. I never been in US. Option 5: Attorney to file Extension with USCIS to extend I-94 7. or you just took little risk and landed in US for a different employer before H1B transfer? The denial of entry happens in very rare cases, where there is fraud or misrepresentation of documents or anything as such. Can I say its a critical work requirement for a month! Do I need to have my POE in and around my work location or can I land at some other city as Im planning to visit family friends before heading to my work location? Fees $410. Booking receipts of your honeymoon or other post-marriage trips. Please let me know. You will need the following documents for getting H-4 visa stamping: The consulate will not accept documents received directly from the company by mail or fax. What would be the best answer that I can give to the officer at POE? I am aware of some documents below she will need to carry with her to support her admission at port of entry 1. My employer on visa and i797 is same. What if H4 is travelling without H1 Primary document, Your email address will not be published. You need to answer the questions properly and correctly so that CBP officer can allow you to enter US. 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. Now for other opportunity I had filed my amendment in premium mode through Same employer E but Location was Chicago and Client B. If you have been granted the H4 visa, you will need to go for the visa stamping procedures. 3. 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. By What If Your H4 Visa Application Is Rejected? Wedding photographs where you and your spouse are clearly seen in the pictures and DVDs. The FY 2018 cap has been set at 65,000 visas. The US Port of entry process for H1B Visa holders is no different from other visa types. 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. I hope you reached Boston safely. The visitor must exit the U.S. on or before the departure date stamped on the Form I-94. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) resumed premium processing today for all H-1B visa petitions subject to the Fiscal Year year (FY) 2018 cap. 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. H-4 eligibilityObtaining and extending H-4 statusEmployment permitted for certain H-4 dependentsStudy permitted for H-4 dependents. I appreciate if any body has come into the same issue and share your experiences at POE. Original Form I-129 and one copy of the principal visa applicants. There was no issue and he was able to enter . 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. 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. Original Interview appointment letter and one copy. It should be fine. Is the marriage affidavit certificate get by notary advocate is enough for visa stamping interview process ? The admission stamps with notations and the Form I-94 printouts are proof of admission to and legal immigration status in the U.S. Everyone needs to keep copies of their passport biodata/expiration pages, visas, admission stamps, and Form I-94 records permanently in case any of these documents are lost or stolen. Submit the primary applicants last 6 months bank statements as well. The Form I-94 number also is known as the Departure Number or Admission Record Number. You will be asked the reason for being there. You can open your own H4 visa bank account like any other immigrant or citizen of the US with any banking institution. This will really help. Can i comeback without going to dropbox to change it to employer B. I am having an H1-b approved from employer A, valid until Sep 2021 along with the stamping. Option 4: Visit any US Port of Entry CBP office at Airport 6. This is the "Admit Until Date" on the electronic Form I-94. 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 Is this possible. 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. 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. 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. Hi Kaushal, The date till you can stay in US is mentioned on your I-94 which will be issued at POE. H4 visa holders canapply for a change of status. Blogitivity Media FZ LLC, Ajman Media City UAE. 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). The H4 visa allows you to go to the US if you are married to a H visa holder. US visa interview appointment letter (emailed to you when applying for the interview), Copy of the primary visa holders passport, Photograph of the primary visa holder and applicant together, Passport-sized photograph of the applicant, Confirmation page of the online DS-160 form, A copy of the primary visa holders form I-797, A letter from the primary visa holders employer stating the nature of the relationship between the primary visa holder and employer, Pay stubs from the primary visa holders current place of work. You can check your visa status on the website of the US Embassy where you are applying by entering your application number. Im travelling to Boston next month. Please suggest me what are the documents needs to carry. 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. Each family member needs to follow these steps to apply for an H-4 visa and admission to the U.S. Canadian citizens can skip this step and proceed to 2. Also, many H4 visa holders want to know whether they can apply for a Green Card. Hi, Guys i have the same situation regarding different POE from the work location. If you have any questions, send us an email at [emailprotected]. Travel in H-1B and H-4 Status - Montclair State University You should be fully prepared to answer each question, or else you may lose the chance to get the visa. Input your search keywords and press Enter. What are the documents required at the port of entry for an H4 visa By default they would assume employer mentioned on the visa stamp is the current employer. The visa stamping will be the last step for you to complete before you can book your trip to the US. Brussels is capital city Belgium and Newark will be the first city where I land in USA, so it would be my POE. it would be very helpful. Give correct information for each question without hesitating. Sample H4 Visa US Entry Stamp at Port of Entry by CBP Officer RedBus2US.com 2010 - 2023, All Rights Reserved. But now, my employer has filed for h1b cap exempt for minneapolis location and it too got approved yesterday till dec 2025. An H4 visa is a dependent visa, where a spouse (husband or wife) can get to stay in the US, for the same time as the sponsor (H1 visa holder). Many H4 visa holders have started their own businesses (with their own H4 loans), and have even hired their own employees as well. If you are not working as an H4 visa holder, you will not be allowed to get a Social Security Number (SSN). I have a return on 19th march. 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. Biometrics? For visitors, travel, student and other international travel medical insurance. In the end its a copy thats submitted to USCIS and not the original. 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. 2.Now I stayed more than 10 months India After return from USA. AOS EAD/AP Card - Travel on AP - gcinfo.org POE will be on the first City where you Land in USA. Yes. You need to keep the barcode confirmation page, print it, and bring it with you when you have your interview. 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 ? Well, in general, it is recommended to carry the original. This is my new employment, Im travelling to USA on my H1b for the first the time. This includes questions on how you met with your spouse and about your wedding. COMPLETE H-4 Visa Guide (How H4 Visa Works!) [2022] - Stilt Blog 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. I am planning to travel to India from April 2022-May 2022. Option 1: Extend I-94 by Crossing US Border by Land 3. It is not necessary to have it at the exact City or around where you work. Should I carry proof of my bank balance that I have enough resources to fly back if at all it is required? Your H1 petition approval and the H4 visa on her passport. 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. As soon as you file the DS-160 form, schedule an interview appointment with the US Embassy from which you are applying for the H4 visa. Will there be any issue at POE??? Copy of my I-797 2. Marriage Cert, I-797 for H-1, your EVL. You can face issues at Port of entry, if anything is missing. Hi I am planning to travel in mid of next week to Texas from Hyderabad. What do you plan on doing in the United States? Yes, you can use the copy. Well, you need to work with company A or B and they need to work it out properly. I have booked one-way ticket as no airline issuing ticket beyond 10 months return at time. In addition to above, talk to your attorney and carry other documentation that they suggest. Optional documents to carry Proof of residence in USA of primary visa holder (ID copy or address proof). Generally, all H-4 visa applications must include the following: 2. What is the duration for which you have been married to your current spouse? 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; However, you can expect the questions to usually follow this pattern: These are just a few of the questions your interviewer may ask. Sign and return that note if you wish to accept the loan offer. Please share your POE experience. We live in Dallas. You can do this by filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. But, it is not a mandatory that you need to have the original. Carry more recent and up to date documents. What university/college did your spouse graduate from? If asked, you can share the same. H-4 visa application requirements differ by embassy/consulate, so family members need to check directly with the specific U.S. embassy/consulate on the requirements for the visa application if they have any questions. Carry all the documents that your employer gave. Proof of employment in USA. How long has your spouse been working for his/her current employer? This is the Admit Until Date on the electronic Form I-94. Users of this website assume the risk that information may be outdated or inaccurate. The sooner you schedule your interview, the faster will you complete the wholeH4 visa application. List of documents required for H4 at port of entry? Is H4 port - Avvo 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. I have a valid visa till 2019. Which type of visa do you want approval for? Every interviewer is different, and there are no set of interview structures or questions. I m first time traveling on my h1b visa. I have a scanned original copy of my I 797. Review our. Also my employer on visa in passport and on I797 petition are different. Employer location is Texas so am worried if there will be any issues due to this. there was a question on PoE but no problems at all. 3. The general process is same, except that for H1B visa holders, they may ask and review H1B visa related documentation. Now my question is, can I travel with my original H1B at NJ and work remotely for my client in Chicago ? 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. whether my h1b transfer case will come under current premium processing of the following rule. H!B visa - Port of Entry is different from where my employer is How long have you and your spouse been married? You can choose an autopay method online to help you pay on time every month. An H4 visa gives spouses and children under 21 of H1B visa holders the ability to join the visa holder in the US. Optional documents to carry Proof of residence in USA of primary visa holder (ID copy or address proof).