How do stamping and the interview work?
Petition approval and visa issuance are separate decisions — USCIS approves the petition, a consular officer decides the visa, and CBP decides admission. This stage covers what happens between approval and starting work.
My petition is approved — do I actually need a visa stamp?
If you are outside the United States, generally yes, if a visa is required; an approved change of status inside the US gives you status, not a visa, so you will normally need stamping before returning after travel abroad. Read the stamping and interview guide
What are the stamping steps, in order?
Approval notice, Form DS-160, the $205 visa application fee for petition-based categories including H, the interview, a decision or further processing, then entry and checking your I-94. Read the stamping and interview guide
What must I bring to the interview — and what is only supporting?
State lists required documents, including your passport, DS-160 confirmation page, and petition receipt number; material such as a copy of the petition and the certified LCA is supporting evidence an officer may ask for, not a State-published checklist. Read the stamping and interview guide
What does the interview actually focus on?
Whether you are eligible and the category fits your purpose of travel: your real job, the employer who petitioned for you, your qualifications, and consistency between your DS-160, the petition, and your answers. Read the stamping and interview guide
Do I have to prove I will leave the US?
No — per the Department of State, H-1B applicants, along with their spouse and any minor children, are excluded from the 214(b) presumption, though you must still qualify for H-1B itself. Read the stamping and interview guide
Can my spouse and children be stamped with me?
Yes, in H-4 — your spouse and unmarried children under 21 may apply, each with a separate application and their own DS-160. Read the stamping and interview guide and Read the H-4 dependents guide
Official sources
Guides on this page are verified against official sources before publication. Official starting point: USCIS — H-1B Specialty Occupations.
General information based on official sources — not a confirmation for your case. Always check the linked official page.
General educational information, not individualized legal advice. Follow official instructions and consult a qualified U.S. immigration attorney for case-specific questions.