To confirm the validity of your H-1B status, the most reliable approach is to check the official documents that record your authorized period of stay, rather than relying on memory or third parties.
The main checkpoints are:
- Your I-94, available on the official CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) website, which shows how long your stay is authorized and is updated with each entry and exit.
- The H-1B approval notice issued by USCIS, which includes the relevant dates tied to your petition.
- The visa stamp in your passport and any official communications from your employer or the government.
If you notice any discrepancy, the Case Status Online tool from USCIS, used with your receipt number, helps you track the status of your petition. Since deadlines and requirements can change, the safest approach is to always check official channels and, when in doubt, seek guidance from a qualified specialist.
Learn more about H-1B
- Initial validity
- 3 years
- Extension
- Up to 6 years total
- Annual cap
- 85,000 visas
- Processing
- 6-12 months
About the author
Victoria Harper
Editor-in-Chief
As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.