International Students and Scholars: H-1B: Travel Procedures

Entry/Re-Entry into the U.S.

For entry or re-entry into the United States from another country individuals in H-1B status need to present the following documents to the Immigration Inspection Officer at the U.S. port of entry.

Valid unexpired passport
Valid unexpired H-1B visa in passport*
Original Form I-797 approval notice (This is kept by ISS in the individual’s file in ISS and must be returned after returning to the U.S.)
I-94 departure record (obtained on the airplane or at the port of entry)

*If an individual is traveling to Canada or Mexico (this does not apply to the Caribbean islands) for 30 days or less there is provision within the law for him/her to re-enter the U.S. without a valid H-1B visa stamp provided that you have a valid passport with an expired visa stamp (an expired F or J visa is applicable), original Form I-797 and a valid Form I-94 departure record card. It is important that the I-94 card is not relinquished when leaving the U.S. in this case. In lieu of the form, a photocopy should be presented if the original is requested. H-1B visa holders cannot be re-admitted to the U.S. using this provision without the original I-94 card.

If you are subject to CIS (formerly INS) special registration requirements you need to follow the instructions given by USCIS concerning departure from the US.

Obtaining Initial H-1B/H-4 Visas

Before traveling you should review the specific instructions and precedures of the US Consulate or Embassy where you will be applying for your visa. See the following website for links to all US Consulates and Embassies worldwide: http://usembassy.state.gov.

To obtain H-1B/H-4 visa(s) the following documents should be submitted to a U.S. Consulate/Embassy, preferably in your home country:

Valid unexpired passport.
Original Form I-797 approval notice (This is kept by ISS in the individual’s file and must be returned after traveling abroad).
Copy of Form I-129 petition with certified LCA, which was submitted to USCIS and approved.
Letter from employing department stating dates of employment and salary. Please see your ISS Department Liaison for this letter.
Non-immigrant visa application (obtained at the U.S. embassy/consulate or online at www.travel.state.gov).
Application fee (the fee is based on reciprocal agreements between each government and the U.S. Check with the U.S. embassy/consulate for the exact amount).
Two passport-sized photographs.
If you have ever been on a J visa and were subject to 212(e) you will need proof that a waiver was obtained or you resided in your home country for 2 years.
Other documents may be required (such as original education documents), check the website for the US consulate where you will be applying for your visa.

An H-1B or H-4 visa is no longer renewable in the US. Additionally, applying for a visa as a 3rd country national (i.e. in a country other than your country of citizenship) may be risky. Please contact ISS regarding your specific situation if you have questions.

ATTENTION ALL VISA APPLICANTS: The Department of State (DOS) has indicated, without giving precise details, that certain visa applications will receive greater scrutiny. This may result from your field of study being listed on the Technological Alert List. It may also occur for males between the ages of 16 and 45 from the following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Please note that you may be subject to this lengthy procedure at the discretion of the DOS for these reasons or others. This may take one month or more, so make your travel plans accordingly.

To obtain an H-1B visa in a third country (neither the U.S. or your own) or, an H-4 visa for dependents without the H-1B visa holder being present, it is advisable that the U.S. Consulate or Embassy be notified of the approved H-1B petition by filing Form I-824. This must be done 4-5 months in advance. The documents needed for Consular Notification are as follows:

Form I-824
$200.00 check or money order
Copy of Form I-797 approval notice
Send by certified mail with return receipt to:
U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Nebraska Service Center
850 "S" Street
Lincoln, NE 68501-7824

Note – All of the documents listed above as well as the approval notice of Form I-824 should be submitted to the U.S. Consulate/ Embassy at the time of visa application. Keep copies of all documents submitted.

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Home Search Online Documents Undergraduate Admissions Graduate Admissions Current Students Faculty and Staff J-1 Faculty & Staff H-1B Faculty & Staff H-1B Visa Overview Dependent Information Steps to Obtain H-1B Status Travel Procedures US Permanent Residency Government & Agency Resources ISS Liaisons University Life ISS Prepaid International Long Distance Programs IntraPurdue Services ISS Office ISS Prepaid International Long Distance	H-1B: Travel Procedures Entry/Re-Entry into the U.S. For entry or re-entry into the United States from another country individuals in H-1B status need to present the following documents to the Immigration Inspection Officer at the U.S. port of entry. Valid unexpired passport Valid unexpired H-1B visa in passport* Original Form I-797 approval notice (This is kept by ISS in the individual’s file in ISS and must be returned after returning to the U.S.) I-94 departure record (obtained on the airplane or at the port of entry) If an individual is traveling to Canada or Mexico (this does not apply to the Caribbean islands) for 30 days or less there is provision within the law for him/her to re-enter the U.S. without a valid H-1B visa stamp provided that you have a valid passport with an expired visa stamp (an expired F or J visa is applicable), original Form I-797 and a valid Form I-94 departure record card. It is important that the I-94 card is not relinquished when leaving the U.S. in this case. In lieu of the form, a photocopy should be presented if the original is requested. H-1B visa holders cannot be re-admitted to the U.S. using this provision without the original I-94 card. If you are subject to CIS (formerly INS) special registration requirements you need to follow the instructions given by USCIS concerning departure from the US. Obtaining Initial H-1B/H-4 Visas* Before traveling you should review the specific instructions and precedures of the US Consulate or Embassy where you will be applying for your visa. See the following website for links to all US Consulates and Embassies worldwide: http://usembassy.state.gov. To obtain H-1B/H-4 visa(s) the following documents should be submitted to a U.S. Consulate/Embassy, preferably in your home country: Valid unexpired passport. Original Form I-797 approval notice (This is kept by ISS in the individual’s file and must be returned after traveling abroad). Copy of Form I-129 petition with certified LCA, which was submitted to USCIS and approved. Letter from employing department stating dates of employment and salary. Please see your ISS Department Liaison for this letter. Non-immigrant visa application (obtained at the U.S. embassy/consulate or online at www.travel.state.gov). Application fee (the fee is based on reciprocal agreements between each government and the U.S. Check with the U.S. embassy/consulate for the exact amount). Two passport-sized photographs. If you have ever been on a J visa and were subject to 212(e) you will need proof that a waiver was obtained or you resided in your home country for 2 years. Other documents may be required (such as original education documents), check the website for the US consulate where you will be applying for your visa. An H-1B or H-4 visa is no longer renewable in the US. Additionally, applying for a visa as a 3rd country national (i.e. in a country other than your country of citizenship) may be risky. Please contact ISS regarding your specific situation if you have questions. ATTENTION ALL VISA APPLICANTS: The Department of State (DOS) has indicated, without giving precise details, that certain visa applications will receive greater scrutiny. This may result from your field of study being listed on the Technological Alert List. It may also occur for males between the ages of 16 and 45 from the following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Please note that you may be subject to this lengthy procedure at the discretion of the DOS for these reasons or others. This may take one month or more, so make your travel plans accordingly. To obtain an H-1B visa in a third country (neither the U.S. or your own) or, an H-4 visa for dependents without the H-1B visa holder being present, it is advisable that the U.S. Consulate or Embassy be notified of the approved H-1B petition by filing Form I-824. This must be done 4-5 months in advance. The documents needed for Consular Notification are as follows: Form I-824 $200.00 check or money order Copy of Form I-797 approval notice Send by certified mail with return receipt to: U.S. Department of Justice U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Nebraska Service Center 850 "S" Street Lincoln, NE 68501-7824 Note – All of the documents listed above as well as the approval notice of Form I-824 should be submitted to the U.S. Consulate/ Embassy at the time of visa application. Keep copies of all documents submitted.
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