Can I travel if I change the status of H1B / H1 visa with the petition still pending?
A144 You are legally allowed to travel, but it can be a little risky. Often students have a difficult time traveling and have been known to have a difficult time getting back into the country. It is advisable to postpone travel until after the H1B / H1 petition has been approved. In such case, you would obtain the H1B / H1 visa abroad and re-enter the U.S. in the H1B / H1 status. Please note that after being approved for a change of status to H1B / H1 (with an I-94 card at the bottom of the approval notice), you can start working and do not have to travel abroad. However, if at some point you do travel abroad, then you would need the H1B / H1 visa stamp in the passport to reenter the U.S. on H1B / H1 status.
Related Questions
- I am in H1B status and filed adjustment of status based on an employer-sponsored I-140. Can I travel using H1B visa, or should I apply for advanced parole?
- I am in the midst of adjusting status from an H-1b visa to employer sponsored permanent residence and I need to travel outside the country. Can I do so?
- Can I travel if I change the status of H1B / H1 visa with the petition still pending?
