H1b Visa: Exploring Options To Visit Austria

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows skilled foreign workers to work in the US for up to three years, with the possibility of an extension. It is valid for travel to and from the US, but what about travelling to other countries? Can an H-1B visa holder go to Austria?

H1B visa holders can travel abroad

If you are already on H-1B status, you can travel internationally and re-enter the U.S. while your status is being extended or transferred to another employer, as long as you have a valid I-797 Approval Notice and a valid H-1B visa. If your H-1B visa expires while you are abroad, you will need to visit a U.S. consulate for an interview and get a new H-1B visa stamp to return. This process can take six weeks or more due to security clearances, so it is important to plan for this possibility when making travel arrangements.

If your trip includes a visit of less than 30 days in Canada or Mexico, a valid H-1B visa stamp is not required for re-entry to the U.S., as long as you have a valid H-1B approval notice. This is called automatic visa revalidation. However, this does not apply to nationals of countries on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list.

When returning to the U.S. after a temporary absence, you will need to show the following to the Customs and Border Protection officer:

• Original and unexpired Form I-797 Approval Notice
• A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the end date of your expected stay
• A letter from your host department confirming you are returning to continue full-time employment as described in the I-129 petition
• Photocopies of the I-129 petition and supporting documentation, including Form ETA 9035 Labor Condition Application
• A valid H-1B visa stamp (not required for Canadian citizens)

H1B visa holders can travel to Canada or Mexico without a valid visa stamp

Travelling to Austria with an H1B Visa

Austrian visa requirements vary depending on the traveller's country of origin and the purpose and duration of their visit. Here is some information on travelling to Austria with an H1B visa.

If you are a US citizen, you can enter Austria for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. However, if you intend to stay longer than 90 days or work in Austria, you must obtain an Austrian visa.

Nationals of countries that have had their visa requirement lifted by an EU regulation are entitled to visa-free entry to Austria for a maximum of 90 days per 180 days, provided they are not working. To stay longer than 90 days but less than six months, you can apply for a visa D.

Travelling to Canada or Mexico as an H1B Visa Holder

H1B visa holders can travel to Canada or Mexico for less than 30 days without a valid visa stamp in their passport. This is called automatic visa revalidation. To re-enter the US, you will need:

• A valid H-1B approval notice
• A passport valid for at least six months beyond the end date of your expected stay
• Proof that you are maintaining H-1B status (e.g. recent paystubs)
• A copy of the H-1B petition/Form I-129 as it was submitted to USCIS
• The original I-797 approval notice

However, if you apply for a new visa while in Canada or Mexico, you will not be able to return to the US unless the visa is granted. Automatic visa revalidation is also not available to nationals of countries on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list.

H1B visa holders may need a visitor's visa to enter Austria

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows skilled foreign workers to be employed in the US. It is valid for three years and can be extended for a further three years.

H-1B visa holders can travel internationally and re-enter the US during their H-1B status, provided they have a valid I-797 Approval Notice and a valid H-1B visa. However, if you are in the US and attempting to change your status to H-1B, it is recommended that you do not travel outside the country while the petition is pending.

If you are an H-1B visa holder and are planning to travel to Austria, you may need to apply for a visitor's visa. This is because US citizens can stay in Austria for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa, but if you wish to remain in the country longer than this, or if you plan to work there, you must obtain an Austrian visa.

To apply for an Austrian visa, you will need to contact the Austrian Embassy or Consulate. You will need to provide certain documents, including a police record certificate and proof of health insurance. The application process can take up to six months, so it is important to plan ahead.

It is also worth noting that if you are travelling to Canada or Mexico, you may be able to re-enter the US without a valid H-1B visa stamp, as long as your trip is less than 30 days. This is called Automatic Visa Revalidation. However, this does not apply to nationals of countries on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list.

H1B visa holders must have valid documents when travelling

H1B visa holders can travel outside the US, but they must have valid documents when doing so. If you are in the process of changing your status to H-1B, or if your dependents are applying for a change to H-4, do not travel outside the US while the petition is pending with USCIS. If you do, USCIS may say that you have abandoned the petition and deny your change of status.

If you are returning to the US after a temporary absence, you will need to show the following documents to the Customs and Border Protection officer:

• Original and unexpired Form I-797 Approval Notice
• A passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the end date of your expected stay
• A letter from your host department confirming you are returning to continue full-time employment
• Photocopies of the I-129 petition and supporting documentation, including Form ETA 9035 Labor Condition Application
• A valid H-1B visa stamp (unless you are a Canadian citizen, who is visa-exempt)

If your H-1B visa has expired, you may be able to extend it by presenting the above documents to a US consulate, but you should anticipate delays due to security reviews.

If you are travelling to Canada or Mexico for less than 30 days, you do not need a valid H-1B visa stamp to re-enter the US, as long as you have a valid H-1B approval notice. This is called automatic visa revalidation. However, automatic visa revalidation is not available to nationals of countries on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list.

If you are travelling to a country other than your home country, you may need a visitor's visa, even if it is just for a transit stop or layover. Check the embassy website of the country you are travelling to for more information.

H1B visa holders must have a valid passport to travel

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows skilled foreign workers to temporarily work in the US. It is important to note that H-1B visa holders must have a valid passport to travel. Here is some essential information regarding travel with an H-1B visa:

Travelling Outside the US with an H-1B Visa

H-1B visa holders must have a valid passport to travel internationally. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the end date of your expected stay. Additionally, you will need a valid H-1B visa stamp in your passport, obtained from a US consulate or embassy abroad. Before travelling, it is always recommended to discuss your plans with an International Scholars Operations (ISO) team or an immigration advisor. They can provide guidance and ensure you have the necessary documentation.

Re-entering the US with an H-1B Visa

When re-entering the US on an H-1B visa, you must present several documents to the Customs and Border Protection officer, including:

• A valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
• Original and unexpired Form I-797 Approval Notice.
• A valid H-1B visa stamp in your passport.
• A letter from your employer confirming your continued employment.
• Copy of the H-1B petition materials, including Form ETA 9035 Labour Condition Application.

Automatic Visa Revalidation

In certain cases, H-1B visa holders may re-enter the US without a valid visa stamp after a brief trip to Canada or Mexico (less than 30 days). This is known as automatic visa revalidation. However, this exception does not apply to nationals of countries on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list.

Travelling to Austria with an H-1B Visa

If you are considering travelling to Austria with an H-1B visa, it is important to note that US citizens can stay in Austria for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. If you intend to stay longer or seek employment, you must obtain an Austrian visa before travelling.

Frequently asked questions