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TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AND ADVISORIES

I. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

A. DOCUMENTS ISSUED BY CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION OFFICERS

I-94 CARD ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE RECORD

• Legal entry verification w/ eleven digit entry number
• Retrieved by CBP officer at port of exit
• New card/number issued at port of entry
• Attached to passport
• Immigration classification and date entered on I-94 card by a U.S. Immigration Officer determines immigration classification and status end date.
Note: Last Action Rule applies; therefore, information posted on I-94 cards at U.S. Port of Entry invalidates previously issued immigration documents.

VISA WAIVER DOCUMENT (I-94 CARD ISSUED INSTEAD OF VISA)

• TN (Beneficiary with Canadian citizenship) 1 year period
• WT – (Ex: United Kingdom citizens) Maximum Period of Stay - 90 days

B. DOCUMENTS ISSUED BY DEPARTMENT OF STATE (CONSULATE) OFFICER

VISA STAMPS - VALIDITY PERIODS
• J-1/J-2 – Duration of Stay (D/S)
• H-1B / H-4 – up to a 3 year period
• O-1 / O-3 – three year period w/ subsequent one year period
• E-3 / E-3 – two year period

C. DOCUMENTS ISSUED BY INTERNATIONAL CENTER (UFIC)

J EXCHANGE VISITORS

• DS 2019 WITH TRAVEL SIGNATURE (signature valid for period of one year only)

H-1B, TN, O-1 AND E-3
VISA ISSUANCE PACKET (VIP)/TRAVEL PACKET (TP)

• Travel Information Memo to beneficiary
• Original Form I-797 (A or B)
• Certified copy of the Form I-129 petition
• Labor Condition Application (For H-1B and E-3 categories only)

II. TRAVEL ADVISORIES

A. Provisions for Entry/Re-Entry to the United States

NON-IMMIGRANT CLASSIFICATIONS (F-1, J-1, H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3)

• Unlimited travel abroad is permitted with proper documentation
• J-1 / J-2 beneficiaries must obtain signature of Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) before traveling abroad (signatures are valid for a one year period)

B. TRAVEL DURING CHANGE OF STATUS FROM NON-IMMIGRANT TO NON-IMMIGRANT OR IMMIGRANT STATUS

Travel abroad by non-immigrants (except H-1B employees) during change of status processing period often causes undesirable results (Example: A decision issued by USCIS to deny the current petition based on abandonment, or a determination that the change of status will be granted through consulate processing abroad)

• F (Student) to H-1B, J, or Adjustment of Status (AOS)
Intent to visit characteristic prohibits travel abroad during the processing period for an application to change to H-1B status or AOS

• J (Visiting Scholar) to H-1B or AOS
Intent to visit characteristic prohibits travel abroad during the processing period for an application to change to H-1B status or AOS

• H-1B (Temporary worker w/ dual intent) to AOS
Dual intent (intent to visit / intent to immigrate) characteristic of H-1B status permits an employee to hold both statuses, and therefore permits re-entry with a valid H-1B visa

C. SPECIAL REGISTRATION