Renew 180 days before expiry. If your spouse is already in the United States, why are you choosing to apply for a visa now? Optional documents to carry Proof of residence in USA of primary visa holder (ID copy or address proof). Once you arrive in the U.S., you can apply for a drivers license. Travel in H-1B and H-4 Status - Montclair State University In this article, we cover H1B visa documents checklist that you need to carry and what you need be prepared with. During the interview, the interviewers will try to determine whether your relationship with the H type visa holder is genuine. Since your H4 status is dependent on the status of the H type visa holder so your spouse or parent, it might take as long as it takes to process their visa. Receipt of the fee paid details. 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. 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. Im traveling in July 1st week. However, my most recent entry to US was on the same H1B visa and I had original I797 back then. 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. Passport. Are you planning to get a job in the United States? You can choose an autopay method online to help you pay on time every month. My Query is after july I cannot renew(or) extend my Visa? You must provide the following documents to apply for the H4 visa: Filled DS-160 application form. Please let me know. What should be the answer for this ? 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. My wife will be travelling on her own for first time to US on H4 visa. As H1B visa holder is entering US to work in US, they need to carry all the required documentation. The petition was filed for NJ and Client A through employer E. I never been in US. The FY 2018 cap has been set at 65,000 visas. 3. Apply for H-4 admission at a U.S. port of entry below. Biometrics? Article Contents hide 1. . What were the questions asked at POE? If USCIS receives the Form I-539/I-539A late, dependents may accrue unlawful presence. 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. 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. 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. >>Do I need return ticket? That is why you should prepare the answers in advance. 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 ? If there are no red flags raised by the system, and CBP officer is convinced, they will let you enter US. All rights reserved. How long has your spouse been working in the US? By continuing to browse this website, you agree to our use of cookies. If your spouse or parent applies for an extension, then you are also eligible to apply for an extension of the H4 visa. List of documents required for H4 at port of entry? Can you please tell me if the i94 date is decided based on passport expiration date or i797 expiring date. For example, if you get a temporary, non-agricultural job, you can apply for a change of status to an H-2B visa. 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. I have lost my I 797 while traveling to india. The content in this website is intended solely for use by University of Hawaii (UH) personnel. Also my employer on visa in passport and on I797 petition are different. 4. 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. Wedding photographs where you and your spouse are clearly seen in the pictures and DVDs. A H4 visa holder can however work if the original sponsor has filed for green card and has an EAD achieved. Can I use a I-797 COPY at the POE if I do not have the original. Based on this, the US Embassy will also grant you a visa with the same validity of your spouses or parents visa. Valid I797 of the primary visa holder. There is always the standard disclaimer, that tells admission is subject to POE and in hands of CBP officer, but nothing to panic, if you have everything correct. Check out our guide for what to do in case of an H4 visa rejection. my h1b visa revoked , due to landing in another location , but not in work location. For information about your privacy, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. In your case POE will be Brussels. there was a question on PoE but no problems at all. Hi Kaushal, The date till you can stay in US is mentioned on your I-94 which will be issued at POE. The tickets are booked by my employer, however, is it possible that they want to see my bank balance? Children 14 years of age or older must sign the Form I-539/I-539A. Hi, Guys i have the same situation regarding different POE from the work location. 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. Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, Information for Completing USCIS An H4 visa gives spouses and children under 21 of H1B visa holders the ability to join the visa holder in the US. Often requested but not always needed: a wedding album, wedding invitations, video of marriage proceedings, etc. And what are the questions they askedd you in POE? 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. When can you Apply for H1B Visa Stamping after Petition Approval? Original Form I-129 and one copy of the principal visa applicants. What would be the best answer that I can give to the officer at POE? Hello Sagar, I am in the same situation. H-4 dependents are not eligible for employment authorization. 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). Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Did you travel from the same company which got H1B stamped for you? Could you please suggest on this , As i am very much tensed on this, Want to talk to you urgently. Many H4 visa holders have started their own businesses (with their own H4 loans), and have even hired their own employees as well. Absolutely and strictly routine. In this article, we cover H1B visa documents checklist that you need to carry and what you need be prepared with. Getting health insurance for H4 visa holders will help in managing the costs of health care if someone gets ill or in an accident. The interview with CBP officer at PoE happens before you collect your checked-in luggage bags. This includes questions on how you met with your spouse and about your wedding. 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. 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. 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. New, Renewal? 3. 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. The University of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. 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. I m first time traveling on my h1b visa. immihelp.com is private non-lawyer web site. My Visa is Going to expire on July . 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. Im travelling to Boston next month. H-4 Dependents | Faculty and Scholar Immigration Services In the end its a copy thats submitted to USCIS and not the original. Disclosure: Content may contain sponsored links to partner programs and affiliates, which may earn us a commission from sales generated, at no additional cost. H4 visa fees are the same as other H type visas. Prior to applying for anH4 visa, each applicant and this includes children as well must fill out the form DS 160. Two US visa photographs. Why are you applying for a visa now when you have married over a year ago/some time ago? i traveled with just 1 month left on my visa and petition. When entering US, they would issue I-94 on the basis of your 797, unless the passport is expiring earlier. And might even (in some circumstances) ask for some documents thatll verify your relationship with the visa sponsor. My work location is Pittsburgh, I POE will be Boston. Luckily, with an H4 visa, dependent family members can join the H1 visa holder during their stay in the US. Will using an AP document delay my entry into the U.S.? Currently, the application fee for this visa is $190. 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. 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. IF you are not sure what your husband works, or who is their employer, obtain more information in this regard. I have booked one-way ticket as no airline issuing ticket beyond 10 months return at time. US Port of Entry questions by CBP Officer 5. You can also open a bank account and apply for loans. Prefer to have original but not a mandatory. Also note that the employer on the visa and the I-797 are different. 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. Im planning to go to india in March to bring my wife and kid. , What form are you referring to? Yes, you can use the copy. CEAC Website, Errors Info, GUIDE to H1B Visa 2023 Lottery, Registration, Predictions, News, FAQs. So, if you have a copy, that should be good enough..Most employers are open to give the same, but you should be fine. You can check your visa status on the website of the US Embassy where you are applying by entering your application number. Yes, please share your experience at the POE. Once I secure a project then theyll initiate my visa transfer. If you put any of these documents in luggage check-in you may be in difficult situation not able to show these documents. However, definitely bring all key paperwork with you in your carry-on luggage, for two reasons: Mario, How was you experience in using I797 copy and not original at port of entry? The reason is, if you end up into any issues, you can reach out to them. The general process is same, except that for H1B visa holders, they may ask and review H1B visa related documentation. 2. all other docs taken to H4 visa stamping interview. Then what are documents required to apply for h4 dependent visa ? 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. Is there any issue while port of entry is different than the actual city of stay. Generally, a H4 visa holder is advised to carry the following documents. A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Marriage certificate. 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. Before 2015, H4 visa work was prohibited. 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.