Once you receive your H-1B approval petition original documents (Forms I-797 and I-129) from your sponsoring employer, you are ready for your H-1B visa stamp. The following is a list of the required documents you will need to bring along to your US H-1B visa stamping.
Most of the mandatory documents are uniformly accepted at every consulate. Supporting documents may vary depending on which US consulate you are visiting for your visa interview. Please verify all document requirements for your specific visa with USTravelDocs online and/or at the consulate.
Applicants applying at the U.S Embassy New Delhi, or US Consulate Chennai/Kolkata need to carry the following documents at the time of the interview:
Mandatory Documents
- Valid original passport. You are recommended to have a passport valid for at least six months beyond your interview date.
- All old passports held.
- One photograph as per specification.
- US Visa Application Form DS-160 confirmation page, stamped at the Visa Application Center (VAC).
- US Visa Application fee payment receipt.
- Visa interview appointment letter.
- Original Notice of Action-I-797.
- Blanket L1 applicants must carry their original I-129 and a copy of the Notice of Action I-797.
Additional Supporting Documents Required at the Time of Interview
Principal Applicant
- For applicants applying with a blanket petition, you will need to pay a fraud and detection fee of $500 in addition to the application fee. This FPD fee can be paid at the cashier window of the consular section on the day of the interview.
- Copy of the first and last page of your current valid passport. If you have any observations on your passport, please submit a copy of the observation page also.
- The original Notice of Action (Form I-797).
- Form I-129 (if Form I-797 is a blanket permit, copy of Form I-797 and I-129), and recent letter from employer that describes your proposed duties and intention to hire you.
- Letters verifying your employment history and specific work skills.
- Original degree certificates along with mark sheets.
- Relevant diplomas or certificates, e.g. computer certification.
- If currently working on an H-1B visa, you may want to carry your pay slips for the current calendar year and your federal tax returns (IRS Form 1040 and W-2) for all the years in which you have been employed in the United States.
- In case of Blanket L visa applicants, three copies of the Form I-129s and one copy of the Form I-797 need to be submitted.
- Visa renewal applicants will have to submit a copy of the previous expired US visa stamped on their passport.
- First time applicants may consider carrying the following documents:
- Pay slips from current or most recent place of employment
- Names and current phone numbers of managers at your present and previous positions
- Resume or CV
Spouse/Dependent Children
- Copy of interview appointment letter, DS-160 confirmation barcode printout, and US visa application fee receipt.
- Dependents need to submit a copy of the principal applicant’s petition (Form I-797 and Form I-129 as applicable) and visa copy.
- US visa application fee receipt.
- The original Notice of Action Form I-797 of the Principal Applicant.
- Form I-129 (if Form I-797 is a blanket permit, copy of Form I-797 and I-129) of the Principal Applicant.
- Photocopy of the Principal Applicant’s valid visa (if applying separately).
- Original Marriage Certificate (for spouse) along with your entire wedding photo album.
- Original birth certificate (for each child).
