After you apply for H4 Visa interview at US Consulate in your country and it is approved, you would use that H4 Visa Stamp in Passport to travel to US. For more information, please see USCISs FAQ on work authorization for H-4 spouses. Documents Required for I-94 Extension. I have a valid visa till 2019. Official websites use .gov Not a legal advice. 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. Thanks, Actually my query is- I am trying for new employer to transfer my H1B before my VISA expires in July. 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. I am also want to know about it. 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. All rights reserved. Visit CBPs I-94, Travel Records for U.S. If you have previously worked on H1B for the sponsor, (Optional) If you worked in past at a Client as third party placement previously on H1B Visa, (Optional) If you are going to work at Client on H1B visa, you can carry copy of Client letter, (Optional) Experience letters related to your previous work, if any. 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. 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). This is the Admit Until Date on the electronic Form I-94. If a copy of the passport is submitted, it should be a good copy, and the photo must be clearly identifiable. The applicant should bring all documents to the interview. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Just wanted to know what where the questions asked at POE? Where are their headquarters located? Proof of residence in USA of primary visa holder (ID copy or address proof). Unfortunately, H4 visa holders are not supposed to work in the US and pretty much have to stay at home, not doing any work. 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? Soon youll have your loan offer. You will be interviewed by CBP Officer at the port of entry and they need to let you in after review. If you are applying separately though, the time it takes to process the H4 visa will be up to the US Embassy and the workload that they have. I am with the same employer since 2008 and recently moved to US on Oct 2016 for the same company. How long has your spouse been working in the US? Yes, you can use the copy. Children 14 years of age or older must sign the Form I-539/I-539A. I am really thankful to you. If, for example, you find an employer who is willing to sponsor your visa, you can file for the type of visa in which you qualify. He spent years building credit risk and fraud models for top U.S. banks. 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 ? Option 2: Fly out of the US to Mexico or Canada and return 4. Citizens of all other countries are required to obtain H-4 visas fromU.S. embassies or consulates. If they are not convinced, they can deny your entry to US and send you back to your home country. 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. I have lost my I 797 while traveling to india. In this article, we cover H1B visa documents checklist that you need to carry and what you need be prepared with. In the end its a copy thats submitted to USCIS and not the original. Sign and return that note if you wish to accept the loan offer. What do you plan on doing in the United States? Stilt is committed to helping immigrants build a better financial future. Travelers using an advance parole document to enter the U.S. may be taken into secondary inspection, where an officer will confirm that s/he has an adjustment of status application pending. The US Port of entry process for H1B Visa holders is no different from other visa types. USCIS must receive the Form I-539/I-539A application by the business day on or before the current status end date. You will be asked the reason for being there. Copy of my I-797 2. By So nearest airport is Washington DC. Getting H1B Visa at Consulate does not mean you can enter the US automatically. 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. She have h1b visa. 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. Whom do you plan to reside with, in the United States? 1.Is there any time limit after VISA expiry to transfer to new company. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry will review all documents an ask the person about the purpose of the visit. This form states the dates that the visa of your spouse or parent is valid. Ive nothing to hide I guess a lot of us are like this! However, you can expect the questions to usually follow this pattern: These are just a few of the questions your interviewer may ask. Pictures of you and your spouse signing the marriage certificate. B1/B2, H1, F1? Original Passport with valid H1B Visa stamp issued by Consulate on it. When can you Apply for H1B Visa Stamping after Petition Approval? Biometrics? They may ask the following questions to every H4 visa applicant: The interviewer will ask you several questions about your marriage. If asked, you can share the same. 2. Apply for H-4 admission at a U.S. port of entry below. The visitor must exit the U.S. on or before the departure date stamped on the Form I-94. This includes questions on how you met with your spouse and about your wedding. Gathering all of these completed documents will ensure that your H4 visa application process goes smoothly. You can open your own H4 visa bank account like any other immigrant or citizen of the US with any banking institution. no need for photo album and such things. What If Your H4 Visa Application Is Rejected? Have you travelled already or not? 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. You can check your visa status on the website of the US Embassy where you are applying by entering your application number. 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. I am in a similar situation, can you tell me what happened to your case. Did you have any revised client letter mentioning the date when client is expecting you or something like that. You will also need to complete an H4 biometrics evaluation as part of the application process. VISA is valid and stamped on her passport. You would be asked a set of questions related to your employment, company or anything that is related to your H1B. In your case POE will be Brussels. New, Renewal? Will I be eligible to travel to State B with the stamped visa once the amendment petition has been filed? 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: 1.passport with valid H4 visa 2. all other docs taken to H4 visa stamping interview. Who paid for your wedding, and how much did it cost? 4. Got H4 for spouse and used H1 and H4 to enter not AP When you say "with AP", do you mean that he didn't have H1 visa and he showed AP document at the port of entry? Are you planning to get a job in the United States? Unmarried children under 21 years of age and spouses of H-1B employees are eligible for H-4 status. Amongst common H4 visa interview questions will also be those relating to your intent for going to the US. Will there be any issues at POE ? What is the duration for which you have been married to your current spouse? All rights reserved. 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. For example, if you get a temporary, non-agricultural job, you can apply for a change of status to an H-2B visa. 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 . It could be your manager or one of your companys employees. Hi I am planning to travel in mid of next week to Texas from Hyderabad. This post provide us all details which one should keep in their mind while applying for USA Business visa. please keep us posted. I hope you reached Boston safely. CEAC Website, Errors Info. My Visa is Going to expire on July . An H4 visa gives spouses and children under 21 of H1B visa holders the ability to join the visa holder in the US. Hi, I am coming to US on H1B with my wife and kid for the first time. You can do this by filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. Hi, my flight route is Mumbai-Delhi-Brussels National, Brussels-Newark. Submit the required documentation and provide your best possible application. A H4 visa holder can however work if the original sponsor has filed for green card and has an EAD achieved. Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, Information for Completing USCIS Forms. I have a return on 19th march. 2. Stilt provides loans to international students and working professionals in the U.S. (F-1, OPT, H-1B, O-1, L-1, TN visa holders) at rates lower than any other lender. 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. @Pooja - did you get a response to your question above. (my visa is valid till 2017) H-1 visa holders are not required to book return ticket. Original, Photocopies of the first page, last page, and remarks pages of your current. US Port of Entry questions by CBP Officer 5. 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. This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. Send copies of entry documents to FSIS. Check out our guide for what to do in case of an H4 visa rejection. 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. Can you reach me at nitin(dot)infoscian(@)gmail(dot)com. Or if my employer is planning to file extension once I reach? Rohit has extensive experience in credit risk analytics and data science. You can choose an autopay method online to help you pay on time every month. Employer location is Texas so am worried if there will be any issues due to this. You will need all your documents related to H1B visa, and supporting documents, when you meet the CBP officer at Port of Entry. 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. Pay the fee and save the receipt, as you will need it later during your application procedures. My H1B Visa & I797 validity is 30 Sep. 2017. You must provide the following documents to apply for the H4 visa: Filled DS-160 application form. The denial of entry happens in very rare cases, where there is fraud or misrepresentation of documents or anything as such. GUIDE to Travel to US with valid Visa on Expired Passport ? Option 4: Visit any US Port of Entry CBP office at Airport 6. The interview might be quite stressful for many, despite that the questions are quite basic and simple. Respond truthfully and let them know that employer plan to files for extension soon after. Once you are settled in the first few weeks, then you can buy domestic insurance from US providers or have your employer cover it. Did you carry any other documents ? Any time limit? Btw I havent worked with employer B yet only my visa has been transferred, the last pay stub I have in the USA is from employer A. Abhi, 1. I appreciate if any body has come into the same issue and share your experiences at POE. 2.Now I stayed more than 10 months India After return from USA. immihelp.com is private non-lawyer web site. 2. UH units with questions relating to UH sponsorship in employment-based immigration categories should consult with FSIS staff. The reason is, if you end up into any issues, you can reach out to them. Your H1 petition approval and the H4 visa on her passport. 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. However, if you apply for a Green Card from an H4 visa, it might take too long for your priority dates to become current. The visa stamping will be the last step for you to complete before you can book your trip to the US. 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). But now, my employer has filed for h1b cap exempt for minneapolis location and it too got approved yesterday till dec 2025. Currently, the application fee for this visa is $190. Did you make this appointment for the interview? Following you may find the questions that are usually asked during an H4 Visa interview. The spouse needs to carefully review the Form I-765 instructions or consult with an immigration attorney before completing and submitting the form. You must provide the following documents to apply for the H4 visa: After youve applied online and submitted your documents, you need to attend the visa interview. File H4 EAD yourself with I-765 form, document checklist. Appreciate your help and will help me a lot. Sai, As long as you have valid visa document and not part of the banned countries, you should be fine. 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. 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. I traveled on H1b in Dec 2015 on A company (Petition valid till 07/07/2017)and later transferred my H1b to B company in USA(Petition valid till 06/20/2017).. Due to family health emergency came to INDIA in Oct 2016. 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. I have booked one-way ticket as no airline issuing ticket beyond 10 months return at time. Sai, Assuming you are talking about H1BWithout your employer, you cannot renew your visa. Thanks a lot for the Information. How to Apply for H4 EAD? Absolutely and strictly routine. With so much riding on the H4 visa interview, knowing the interview questions beforehand can help you prepare for this very important step. i am also in same situation please let me know your experience. Looking for U.S. government information and services? If you are within the US, you can submit yourH4 visa application through the USCIS. Why are you applying for a visa now when you have married over a year ago/some time ago? After the employees H-1B petition is approved, they need to follow the H-4 entry procedures. The interview with CBP officer at PoE happens before you collect your checked-in luggage bags. But, it is not a mandatory that you need to have the original. I Filed for extension as soon as i reached here and now can stay for 240 or till the time i get an answer on my extension. The sooner you schedule your interview, the faster will you complete the wholeH4 visa application. RedBus2US.com 2010 - 2023, All Rights Reserved. As i did not traveled to US till now and thinking to travel in Jan 2018. Booking receipts of your honeymoon or other post-marriage trips. Remember to answer each question truthfully and to show your attachment and dependency on your spouse. The tickets are booked by my employer, however, is it possible that they want to see my bank balance? Many H4 visa holders have started their own businesses (with their own H4 loans), and have even hired their own employees as well. 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. A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer attaches Form I-94 to the nonimmigrant visitors passport upon entry to the U.S. Two US visa photographs. Will there be any issue at POE??? My employer on visa and i797 is same. You can check out other Visa Category Stamps by CBP Officer at Port of Entry to understand how they look. If the H4 visa holder's visa stamp on the passport is valid, they can use the same visa stamp and present the New H1B approval notice copy of their spouse after transfer. We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! Can I use a copy ? I didn't need to use AP as I applied for H1 overseas although I had a valid AP doc, never used it to enter US, after I applied for my H1, it had to go through Admin Processing at . And what are the questions they askedd you in POE? >>Can I stay beyond Sep 2017 (till Sep 2018) or I need to do some formalities once coming? Also my employer in i797 is different from what is on visa. H-4 dependents are not eligible for employment authorization. Need some information , I got US VISA stamped on Oct 2015 and i got VISA for 3 years till Sept 2018 . Please suggest me what are the documents needs to carry. Yes, an H4 visa holder can re-enter the U.S. but make sure to carry all the documents that might be required at the Port of Entry (POE). 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. Well, you need to work with company A or B and they need to work it out properly. Processing time 2-7 month. All Rights Reserved. I got a company here in India who are willing to transfer my H1-B but asking me to travel to the USA, theyll be providing me a client letter for the same. Dont worry too much. Yes, it is possible to apply for cap exempt H1B petition even after your H1B visa expiration on passport. It is not necessary to have it at the exact City or around where you work. Letter from employer that describes the relationship with the Principal Applicant and the purpose of travel. Stronger applications get better loan offers. Read US Port of Entry Procedures, Common FAQs to understand the general process at port of entry and what to expect. If they determine that it is safe to let you enter the US, you may do so. Yes. The Employer mentioned there will be some risk at Port of Entry as i am travelling late . CEAC Website, Errors Info, GUIDE to H1B Visa 2023 Lottery, Registration, Predictions, News, FAQs. study at one of the U.S.s many universities, guide for what to do in case of an H4 visa rejection, learn more about the H4 visa interview and interview questions in our complete guide.