Travel in the U.S.

You can travel freely within the United States. You should be sure to carry your passport and health insurance information with you when you travel.

Travel outside the U.S.

Traveling internationally while your H-1B petition is pending may affect the status of your petition. You must consult your international scholar adviser prior to any international travel if you have a pending H-1B petition.

If you travel abroad, you will need the following documents to re-enter the United States:

• Valid passport
• Original Form I-797A approval notice
• Letter from your department confirming current employment in the position described in the H-1B petition (sample letter) and a recent pay slip
• Valid H-1B visa stamp in your passport (if you do not have a valid H-1B visa stamp in your passport, you must apply for one at a U.S. embassy/consulate)

If you have filed for adjustment of status and plan to travel, contact your international scholar adviser to discuss traveling with your H-1B documentation or advance parole.

Obtaining the initial H-1B stamp

If you have changed your nonimmigrant status in the U.S. and have not obtained an H-1B visa stamp in your passport, you must make an appointment with a U.S. embassy/consulate the first time you depart the U.S. to obtain an H-1B visa for re-entry. You will need to present the following documentation:

• Passport (valid for at least six months into the future)
• One photograph that meets Department of State specifications (upload with DS-160)
• Form DS-160 confirmation page
• Application fee
• Original Form I-797A approval notice
• Copy of Form I-129 H-1B petition
• Letter from your department confirming current employment and that you are expected to return to the U.S. to resume the terms of your contract (sample letter) and a recent pay slip
• Original waiver of the two-year home residency requirement (if you were in J-1 status and received a waiver)

Visa revalidation

If you have an H-1B visa stamp and it has expired, you may obtain a new visa stamp at a U.S. embassy/consulate.

Travel to Canada or Mexico

If you travel to Canada or Mexico for less than 30 days, you will not need a new visa stamp to return to the United States. Limitations may apply, so contact your international scholar adviser before traveling to Canada or Mexico without a valid U.S. visa stamp in your passport.

Citizens of many countries do not need a tourist visa to visit Canada or Mexico, but you should check with the appropriate embassy/consulate for your home country about whether you will need a visa to visit these countries.