It’s H-1B season, so this means that if you applied for an H-1B visa, you will be getting an approval or denial response from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) soon. If your H-1B visa is approved – your immigration efforts don’t stop there. Our Dallas immigration attorneys explain what are some of the next steps you should take after your H-1B visa gets approved.
After H-1B Visa Approval Notice Sent
Once you receive your approval notice (I-797) via mail, you can schedule the H-1B visa interview in the U.S. Embassy near your location if you applied while living outside the U.S. During the interview process, you will be asked various questions to verify the information in your H-1B application and to obtain physical copies of certain documents. You may be asked to provide the following documents:
- A valid passport that won’t expire before the end of your visa
- A printed copy of your DS-160 online application form
- The H-1B interview appointment confirmation letter
- Copy of both your approved I-129 petition and your I-797 notice of approval form
- A passport size photo of you
Stay In Constant Communication with Your Employer
Once you receive approval from the USCIS and interview with a USCIS official, you should connect with your employer to ensure that they have a copy of your approval. You will be asked questions about the role, your experience, and your intentions during the interview, so it is important that you ask any questions you might have about your position and requirements to your employer before the interview.
If you have any questions about the interview process or the documents you need to present, you should contact your attorney. An attorney can ensure that you are prepared for the interview so that it won’t affect your employment opportunity.
Maintaining Valid H-1B Status After Approval
Getting your H-1B petition approved is just the first step. You need to keep your status valid while you are in the United States. This means you should only work for the employer who sponsored you, follow the job duties and work location listed in your H-1B paperwork, and apply for extensions before your status ends. If your job duties, work location, or employment terms change a lot, your employer may need to file an H-1B amendment with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Not following these rules can cause you to lose your status and make it harder to get future immigration benefits.
Planning for Dependents and H-4 Status
After your H-1B is approved, you should also take care of your dependents' status. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can usually obtain H-4 status, which allows them to live in the U.S. with you. To get H-4 status, they need to file the right forms with USCIS or apply for H-4 visas at a U.S. consulate if they are outside the country. Some H-4 spouses can also apply for work authorization (EAD) if they meet certain conditions.
Contact our Dallas immigration attorneys today at (844) 299-5003 to schedule a consultation and to review your employment immigration case!