Other Considerations
Apply for a Visa
In order to apply for your H-1B
visa (and H-4 dependent visas) you will need to schedule a visa appointment at
a U.S. Consulate or Embassy (it is recommend that you apply for a visa in your
home country, if possible.) At your appointment, you will present your
original Form I-797 (mailed to you from OIS), as well as the copies of the LCA
and form I-129 that are part of the H-1B application process. Review the U.S.
Department of State’s information on U.S. visas
for employment. They list detailed information about the
process and which documents to bring to your interview. The Consulate is
required to verify your H-1B approval in the “PIMS” database. Once the visa is
granted and stamped in your passport you are ready to make travel arrangements
to the United States.
Canadian citizens only: You do not
need an H-1B visa, but you must still present the documents sent to you by OIS,
or pre-flight inspection station. In order to enter the United States, you must
have a passport identifying you as a Canadian citizen. Also, be sure that the
officer issues you a Form I-94 for H-1B status (see below).
Prepare for Life at UIC
The Life in
Illinois and Resources
sections of the OIS website have a variety of information to help you prepare
for your arrival in Chicago. Information includes: climate, currency, public
transportation, housing, and other topics. You may also find the Life at UIC links on the main
UIC homepage helpful in navigating employee benefits, calendars, technology,
health and safety issues, and transportation.
Arrival at the U.S. Port-of-Entry
Arrival date: YOU
MAY ONLY ENTER THE U.S. UP TO 10 DAYS BEFORE THE START DATE ON YOUR H-1B I-797
APPROVAL NOTICE. An immigration officer at the Port of Entry may refuse
you admission if you arrive before this time.
Inspection at U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP): Upon arrival you must present your passport and
Form I-797 to the immigration officer. The officer may ask you for
additional information, such as a copy of your UIC job offer letter. The
officer will stamp your passport and enter you into the CBP arrival/departure database. This entry will be
known as your “Form I-94” or “Admission Number.” Please make sure that the
entry stamp and Form I-94 indicate “H-1B” and that the end date corresponds
with your Form I-797, or with an additional 10 days added. If you are entering
with H-4 dependents, make sure their documents indicate “H-4” not “H-1B.”
Customs:
Review the CBP website
for information on items that may be restricted or prohibited from entering the
U.S.
Check In at OIS
In order to begin your
employment at UIC, you will need to visit OIS. Call or email us to
schedule a check-in appointment. Please bring your passport, original Form
I-797, and Form I-94 printout. Also, please be ready to provide a U.S.
address, even if it is a temporary address.
Other Considerations
Delayed entry:
If your visa is delayed at the Consulate, or if there are other unforeseen
occurrences which will prevent you from beginning your employment on time,
please relay that information to your UIC department contact and OIS.
Dependents: A
dependent is a spouse or child under the age of 21. Dependents are
considered “H-4s.” Your H-4s will not need a separate I-797 approval
notice if they are accompanying you to the U.S. Please note, it is possible to
have your dependents join you in the U.S. at a later time.