Employee Travel
Employees may travel within the U.S. or abroad, but they must follow certain restrictions and carry valid identification and travel documents. These restrictions vary according to visa category.
For beneficiaries currently in the US, please consult your OISS advisor regarding all plans to travel outside the US before the anticipated approval of your petition. Leaving the US while a change of status, extension, amendment, or change of employer petition is pending approval by USCIS may be considered abandonment of the petition or result in additional visa processing delays and employment disruption. We can coordinate the submission of your petition to accommodate your travel plans with advanced notice.
H-1B Visa-Holders
Documents Required
Travel Within the U.S.
- Valid Passport
- Copy of H-1B approval notice
Traveling Abroad
- Original H-1B approval notice;
- Copy of the Labor Condition Application (LCA);
- Valid passport (6 months into the future) with valid H-1B visa stamp;
- Copy of your I-129 petition;
- Updated employment verification letter from NU department stating that you are currently employed, dates of employment, salary, job title and brief description of job duties.
Dependents
When traveling, H-4 dependents should carry:
- Copy of the H-1B Approval Notice;
- Copy of the H-1B petition most recently submitted to USCIS;
- Other relevant documents related to H-4 status (Approval Notice, H-4 visa stamp);
- Valid passport.
Expired Visa Stamps
If your H-1B visa stamp has expired, you must obtain a valid H-1B visa stamp to re-enter the U.S.
Exception: If you are traveling in Canada or Mexico and will stay for less than 30 days, you can re-enter the U.S. on an expired visa stamp. Longer visits will require a valid stamp to re-enter.
Status Changes
If you are changing or extending your H-1B visa, you will need to obtain an H-1B visa stamp to re-enter the U.S. in H-1B visa status.
- This includes H-1B beneficiaries with a change of status (COS) within the U.S. who are currently in H-1B status with an Approval Notice. If the visa stamp is from another visa category (e.g. F-1), then you will have to obtain an H-1B visa stamp to re-enter the U.S. in H-1B visa status.
- If you are an H-1B beneficiary traveling while an H-1B extension is pending and will be re-entering the U.S. close to the expiration date of your current H-1B, you are encouraged to carry the documents listed above plus the extension Receipt Notice and copies of the extension petition while traveling.
- If you are an H-1B beneficiary who is changing employers (COE) and traveling with a valid visa stamp from another employer, you are required to bring all of the documents listed above.
Border Crossing
When crossing the U.S. border, be prepared to answer specific questions about your current H-1B petition. You may be asked about: the nature of your employment (i.e. NU department, job title); specific job duties (i.e. job description); exact work location; or salary.
Occasionally individuals are selected for secondary inspection. Reasons for this inspection might include:
- Your travel documents are incomplete or you do not have the proper documents or visa
- You appear to have previously violated your immigration status
- You appear to have a criminal record that is of concern
- You have been selected for a random inspection
If you are pulled into secondary inspection, please answer all questions directly, truthfully and to the best of your knowledge.
E-3 Visa-Holders
Documents Required
Traveling abroad
- Valid E-3 visa stamp
- Valid passport
Although not required for travel, the following documents may support your E-3 status. They are on file in the OISS office and are available upon request.
- Original E-3 approval notice (I-797A): If you received your E-3 visa stamp in Australia, you will not have this document
- Original E-3 extension receipt notice (I-797C)
- Copies of USCIS approval (COS/COE) petition
- Copies of USCIS extension (EOS) petition
- E-3 visa support letter
- E-3 status letter
Please request these documents from your scholar advisor.
Status Changes
Status changes
If you are extending your E-3 visa, and you plan to travel while the extension is pending, you may be able to enter the U.S. close to/after the expiration of your current E-3.
However:
- Please notify the OISS of your plans before departure.
- Take your extension receipt notice (I-797C) and copies of the extension petition with you while traveling.
TN Visa-Holders
Documents Required
Traveling abroad
- Canadian TN holders may travel and re-enter the U.S. as long as the period noted on the I-94 is valid.
- Mexican TN holders must ensure that the TN visa stamp in their passport is valid for readmission.
- Travel with all documents needed to prove TN status, as each entry is up to the discretion of the border officer.
Status changes
If you are extending your TN visa, traveling while the extension is pending with the USCIS may create complications.
- Please notify the OISS of your plans before departure.
- The OISS will then request that USCIS send the electronic approval notice to the nearest U.S. consulate/embassy (for Mexican TN-holders) or location of pre-flight inspection/border crossing (for Canadian TN-holders).
O-1 Visa-Holders
Documents Required
Travel within the U.S.
- Valid passport
- Copy of O-1 approval notice
Traveling abroad
- Original O-1 approval notice;
- Valid passport (6 months into the future) with valid O-1 visa stamp;
- Copy of your I-129 petition;
- Updated employment verification letter from NU department stating that you are currently employed, dates of employment, salary, job title and brief description of job duties.
Travel for Dependents
When traveling, O-3 dependents should carry:
- a copy of the O-1 Approval Notice
- copy of the O-1 petition most recently submitted to USCIS
- any other relevant documents related to O-3 status (Approval Notice, O-3 visa stamp)
- a valid passport.
Expired Visa Stamps
If your O-1 visa stamp has expired, you must obtain a valid O-1 visa stamp to re-enter the U.S.
Status Changes
If you are changing or extending your O-1 visa, you will need to obtain an O-1 visa stamp to re-enter the U.S. in O-1 visa status.
- This includes O-1 beneficiaries with a change of status (COS) within the U.S. who are currently in O-1 status with an Approval Notice. If the visa stamp is from another visa category (e.g. J-1), then you will have to obtain an O-1 visa stamp to re-enter the U.S. in O-1 visa status.
- If you are an O-1 beneficiary traveling while an O-1 extension is pending and will be re-entering the U.S. close to the expiration date of your current O-1, you are encouraged to carry the documents listed above plus the extension Receipt Notice and copies of the extension petition with him/her while traveling.
- If you are an O-1 beneficiary who is changing employers (COE) and traveling with a valid visa stamp from another employer, you are required to bring all of the documents listed above.
Border Crossing
When crossing the U.S. border, be prepared to answer specific questions about your current O-1 petition. You may be asked about: the nature of your employment (i.e. NU department, job title); specific job duties (i.e. job description); exact work location; or salary.
Occasionally individuals are selected for secondary inspection for various reasons. If you are pulled into secondary inspection, please answer all questions directly, truthfully and to the best of your knowledge.
Pending Status for Legal Permanent Residents
Prior to any travel
Please consult with the immigration attorney who filed your petition. Depending on where you are in the process, travel could compromise your application.
Travel Tips
- Before traveling, make photocopies of ALL documents: passport, visa status approval notice, visa stamp, . Leave a set of copies at home or with a friend and carry a copy with you separate from your originals. Lost or stolen documents are much easier to replace with photocopies!
- If you have lost your passport, please visit the for instructions on what to do next and how to file for replacement documents.
- Remember to print and save your I-94 record each time you return to the U.S. Visit to print your I-94 record.