How many days before my start date can I enter the US?

On the H-1B, you cannot enter the United States at any point before your employment begins: there is a limited entry window that opens shortly before the employment start date shown on your approval notice (Form I-797).

This lead time exists so you can handle your move (find housing, adjust to the time zone, take care of practical matters such as opening a bank account) without already being on the job. Arriving too early is the problem: entering outside the permitted window can cause issues at the border.

Because the exact size of that window is a number set by regulation and subject to change, you should not plan your travel date from memory or from third-party accounts. The final word on entry always belongs to the CBP officer at the port of arrival.

Before booking your flight, confirm the current entry window with USCIS and CBP and verify your start date on your own I-797.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

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.