Travel for H1B1 Faculty
Documents for Travel
If you are making a trip outside the United States and plan to reenter the U.S in H-1B status, you will need the following documentation (see information below for travel to Mexico or Canada):
- Valid, unexpired passport
- Original, unexpired H-1B, I-797 Approval Notice for your current position, Note: OISS keeps this original document in our office. Please contact your OISS advisor for this document.
- Valid, unexpired H-1B visa stamp in your passport. If you do not have an H-1B visa stamp in your passport or your H-1B visa stamp has expired, you must apply for one at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad before you can reenter the US. (see details regarding Obtaining an H-1B/H-4 Stamp below).
Obtaining H-1B/H-4 Stamp
In order to reenter the US after travel abroad, you must have a valid, unexpired visa stamp in your passport that corresponds with your status in the US. If you have changed your nonimmigrant status to H-1B or H-4 while in the United States, if you have never had an H-1B or H-4 visa stamp in your passport, or if your H-1B/H-4 visa stamp has expired, you must make an application for an H-1B/H-4 visa stamp with a U.S. Embassy or Consulate when you depart the U.S.
If you need to apply for a visa stamp, please contact your OISS advisor three weeks prior to your scheduled departure date. OISS must provide you with a packet of documents for your visa stamping appointment. OISS generally advises that you apply for a visa stamp in your country of citizenship. Please also keep in mind that every time you make a visa stamping application, you may be subject to lengthy security checks that could take several weeks (or longer) to be cleared. You cannot reenter the US until the Embassy or Consulate issues you the visa stamp.
You and your H-4 dependents will need to present the following documentation at your visa stamping appointment:
- Original, unexpired H-1B or H-4 Approval Notice, Form I-797
- Copy of your current H-1B petition
- Employment verification letter from OISS
- Two recent pay slips (suggested)
- Original or copy of the waiver of the two year home residency requirement (if you were previously in J- 1 visa status and received a waiver)
- Valid, unexpired passport (valid 6 months into the future)
- For H-4 visa applicants, proof of relationship to the H-1B, for example, a marriage certificate, a birth certificate or a family registry.
Please contact the specific U.S. Consulate or Embassy where you plan to apply for other requirements, including photos and fees and visa applications. Please confirm application procedures prior to your trip.
For more information on applying for a U.S. visa, visit the consular/embassy website where plan to apply.
Links to U.S. Embassies and Consulates Worldwide
Trips to Mexico, Canada
To reenter the US after travel to Canada or Mexico, you must carry all of the documents listed above, unless you qualify for Automatic Visa Revalidation (see below).
Visitor's Visa to Canada and Mexico
You may require a Canadian or Mexican visa in order to enter Canada or Mexico, depending on your country of citizenship. OISS does not assist with obtaining a Canadian or Mexican visa. You should contact the respective consulate offices to determine whether you need a Canadian or Mexican visa:
Mexican Consulate www.sre.gob.mx/acerca/directorio/consulados/seattle.htm
Canadian Consulate
www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Automatic Visa Revalidation
If you qualify for Automatic Visa Revalidation, you can travel to Canada or Mexico and return to the US in H-1B/H-4 status, even if you do not have a valid, unexpired H-1B/H-4 visa stamp in your passport. The Automatic Visa Revalidation requirements are, as follows:
- Trip must be solely to Canada or Mexico, for 30 days or less, and you must be returning to H-1B employment with WSU.
- Must have a valid, unexpired passport.
- Must have a valid, unexpired H-1B/H-4 approval notice and I-94 card *
- Must have an expired H visa stamp or an F or J visa stamp in your passport.
- Must NOT be from one of the US designated state sponsors of terrorism, currently Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. Persons from these countries must be in possession of a valid visa stamp to enter the US at all times.
- Must NOT make a visa stamping application at a US Embassy or Consulate while in Canada or Mexico. Once you make a visa stamping application, you do not qualify for Automatic Visa Revalidation.
*It is vitally important to retain the original copy of their I-94 card when traveling to Canada or Mexico,if you plan to re-enter with an expired visa under the Automatic Visa Re-Validation law. You will need this document as a substitute for a valid visa when re-entering the US. Subsequently, when departing the US, you should not relinquish this card to the airlines or an immigration officer. If challenged, you can present the DHS Automatic Visa Re-Validation Document to explain why you must retain this document when departing the US in order to re-enter with your expired visa stamp.
Important: OISS and the Department of Homeland Security recommends that students print out and carry a copy of a DHS docuement explaining the rules related to Automatic Revalidation (along with page 2, a copy of the regulations). This document should only be provided to the Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry if they experience difficulties in processing their re-entry. We also highly recommend that you see an OISS counselor before your travels, if you have any questions.
DHS Automatic Visa Re-Validation Documment
Page Updated: October 27, 2009
Visa Links
- U.S. Embassies and Consulates Worldwide
- Visa Application forms and instructions
- Fees for visa services
- Visa wait times
- Trips to Mexico and Canada