Initial Entry to the U.S. in H-1B Status
Required Documents
- Valid passport with validity for at least six months following authorized period of stay
- Valid H-1B visa stamp (unless visa exempt, i.e. Canadian citizen)
- Form I-797 Notice of Approval of H-1B status
Upon admission to the U.S., you will need your I-94 record of arrival.
- If entering by land, you will need an I-94 card. The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the U.S. port of entry will issue an I-94 card to the foreign national. For H-1B and H-4 foreign nationals, the CBP officer should indicate an expiration date on the I-94 card. The expiration date refers to the length of time an H-1B foreign national has permission to remain temporarily in the United States. CBP may include a 10-day grace period following the period of approved H-1B status.
- If entering by air or by sea, you will need a passport admission stamp. It will be given to the H-1B foreign national by the CBP officer at the port of entry when he or she arrives in the United States. The stamp should include the date of admission, class of admission (H-1B) and admitted-until date (expiration date).
We strongly recommend that you print and save your I-94 record after entrance into the United States.