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18 Mar 2026

I am from a country subject to the travel ban / visa pause, and my U.S. citizen spouse would like to sponsor me for a green card. Is there an exception to the travel ban for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens?

Answer The initial travel ban established by Presidential Proclamation 10949 for certain high-risk countries included a categorical exception for immediate family members of U.S. citizens. However, the subsequently issued Presidential Proclamation 10998 that halted visa processing for an expanded list of countries removed that categorical exception...

06:11 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Homeland Security / Immigrant Family / Worker
26 Nov 2025

My husband is in L1A status and his current I-94 and L1A petition are valid through June 2026. When I traveled back from India a few weeks ago, I was admitted in L2S status through June 2027, which is my visa stamp expiration date. Is this an error?

Answer Yes, this appears to be an error made by the officer at the U.S. port of entry. An L2S spouse’s I-94 normally should not be issued beyond the L1A petition’s expiration date (although, an additional 10-day grace period beyond that date is permissible.) You should...

07:16 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Homeland Security / Travel / Worker
17 Apr 2025

My son legally entered the U.S. in H-4 status when he was 13 years old. He is now 15. Does he have to comply with the alien registration requirement, even though he has always maintained valid status?

Answer Any foreign national who turns 14 while in the U.S. must register within 30 days of their 14th birthday, even if they were previously registered. This requirement applies even for nonimmigrant dependents in lawful status and children who are green card holders.Further details on who...

16:40 / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / H-4 Dependents / Homeland Security / Immigrant Family / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident
06 Nov 2024

Years ago, when I applied for an H1B visa stamp, I was assisted by a consultant who told me to submit a fake diploma to better meet the visa requirements. As a result, my visa was denied due to misrepresentation. The consular officer explained that it is a permanent inadmissibility ban unless it is waived. I am a citizen of Canada now and I would like to come to the U.S. for a conference. How do I apply for a nonimmigrant waiver?

Answer Ordinarily, a foreign national who is found inadmissible should apply for a nonimmigrant waiver when applying for a visa "stamp" at the consulate. Canadian citizens, however, are generally visa exempt. So, you likely can apply for your nonimmigrant waiver through U.S. Customs and Border Protection...

06:39 / Consulates / FAQs / For Individuals / Homeland Security / Visitor
10 Jul 2024

I have an H1B visa in my Indian passport. I recently became an Australian citizen. Is it possible to transfer the visa to my Australian passport, or to travel based on the visa that is in my Indian passport?

Answer Unfortunately, no. There generally is no way to transfer a U.S. visa from one passport to another. In situations where you simply renew a passport issued by the same country, and you have a valid visa in your old passport, it normally is possible to...

17:10 / FAQs / For Individuals / Homeland Security / Travel / Worker
28 Dec 2023

My wife presented her passport and H-4 visa at the port of entry when she last entered, but her I-94 was not extended to match my latest H1B extension. Was she required to present my most recent approval notice in order to get her status extended?

Answer If the latest approval notice is not presented, the CBP officer at the port of entry typically will not admit the dependent spouse beyond the expiration date listed on the visa (which generally is the expiration date from the original H1B approval notice).  (28.Dec.2023)Sheela Murthy...

07:53 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Homeland Security / Nonimmigrant Family / Travel / Worker
19 Oct 2023

The last time I entered the U.S. in H1B status, I was admitted for an extra 10 days. Am I allowed to work during that 10-day period?

Answer The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the ports of entry have the discretion to grant a 10-day grace period beyond the validity period of a person's petition (as do USCIS officers). However, this grace period does not provide any type of work...

08:31 / FAQs / For Employers / For Individuals / Homeland Security / Travel / USCIS News / Worker