What documents do I need to move to United States as a India citizen?

Typical pathway: Work Visa

Last verified: September 22, 2026

Indian passport valid at least six months beyond intended U.S. stay (before) — Source: https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/
Original machine-readable Indian passport presented at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate (New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata) and retained for visa stamping after a successful interview. Also bring all previous/expired Indian passports to establish travel and prior U.S. visa history.
Form I-797 Notice of Action (approved I-129 H-1B petition) (before) — Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/temporary-worker-visas.html
Employer-obtained USCIS approval notice for the Form I-129 petition. You must know/carry the petition receipt number as it appears on the I-129 or I-797; the consulate verifies the petition in the Petition Information Management Service before issuing the visa.
DS-160 confirmation page with barcode (before) — Source: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/
Printed confirmation page of the completed online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160), submitted through CEAC and presented at both the Visa Application Centre and the consular interview. The DS-160 requires disclosure of your social media identifiers from the past five years.
MRV visa application fee payment receipt (before) — Source: U.S. Visa Information Service – India (ustraveldocs.com/in)
Proof of payment of the non-refundable, non-transferable machine-readable visa (MRV) fee, paid in India via the designated bank/online channels before scheduling appointments. Keep the receipt number — it is required to book the VAC and interview slots.
VAC biometrics appointment letter and consular interview appointment letter (before) — Source: U.S. Visa Information Service – India (ustraveldocs.com/in)
Two distinct printed confirmations: one for fingerprint/photo capture at the Visa Application Centre and one for the in-person interview at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. Most H-1B applicants, including renewals, must now attend an in-person interview; Dropbox (interview waiver) eligibility for H-1B has been narrowed — verify current eligibility on the official India visa services site before booking.
U.S. visa photograph meeting Department of State specifications (before) — Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html
One recent 2x2 inch (51x51 mm) colour photograph on a white background, uploaded with the DS-160 and carried in print in case the upload fails. This is separate from the live biometric photograph captured at the Visa Application Centre.
Employer support letter stating job title, duties, worksite and salary (before) — Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/temporary-worker-visas.html
Letter on U.S. employer letterhead describing the specialty occupation, duties, work location(s), employment start date and offered wage. For Indian IT/consulting applicants placed at third-party client sites, also carry the end-client letter, statement of work or master services agreement, which consular officers in India frequently request.
Certified Labor Condition Application (Form ETA-9035/9035E) (before) — Source: U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Foreign Labor Certification
Copy of the LCA certified by the U.S. Department of Labor and filed by the employer with the I-129 petition, showing the prevailing wage and place(s) of employment.
Original Indian degree certificates, consolidated marksheets and transcripts (before) — Source: USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 2, Part H (H-1B Specialty Occupations)
Originals plus photocopies of your bachelor's/master's degree certificate, all semester marksheets and transcripts from the Indian university, proving the specialty-occupation degree requirement. If your qualification is a 3-year Indian bachelor's degree or a diploma-plus-experience combination, also carry the credential evaluation report relied on in the petition.
Proof of the $100,000 H-1B supplemental payment or exemption evidence (before) — Source: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/h-1b-faq
Applies only to new H-1B petitions filed on or after 21 September 2025 for beneficiaries outside the U.S. without a valid H-1B visa (i.e. consular processing in India). Payment or an approved exemption is made by the petitioning employer. This fee is in active litigation and its status has changed repeatedly — verify current applicability on the USCIS H-1B FAQ before travel.
Marriage certificate and children's birth certificates for H-4 dependents (before) — Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/temporary-worker-visas.html
Required only if a spouse and/or unmarried children under 21 apply for H-4 visas: original Indian marriage registration certificate and municipal birth certificates as proof of relationship, plus a copy of the principal's passport, H-1B visa and I-797 if dependents apply separately.
Passport with H-1B visa foil presented at the U.S. port of entry (during) — Source: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors
At the CBP primary inspection you must present the passport bearing the H-1B visa foil; CBP grants admission and applies the admission stamp. Carry the original I-797 and employer letter in hand baggage, not checked luggage, in case of secondary inspection.
Electronic Form I-94 arrival/departure record printout (during) — Source: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov
Retrieve and print the electronic I-94 from the CBP website after each entry. It shows your class of admission (H-1B) and 'admit until' date, which governs your lawful status and is needed for SSN, driver's licence, banking and I-9 purposes. Check it for errors immediately after arrival.
Form SS-5 Social Security number application filed in person (during) — Source: https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm
Filed at a local SSA field office with your unexpired passport, I-94 record and H-1B I-797 approval notice. Wait roughly 10 days after arrival so DHS entry data reaches SSA. The card will be annotated 'Valid for work only with DHS authorization'. H-4 spouses are not eligible unless they hold an EAD.
Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification completed with the employer (during) — Source: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9
Completed on or before your first day of work. As an H-1B worker you normally present a List A document: the foreign passport with the H-1B visa together with the Form I-94 showing H-1B admission and the employer's name.
State driver's licence or state ID application file (after) — Source: State Department of Motor Vehicles (requirements vary by state); see https://www.usa.gov/motor-vehicle-services
Applied for at the state DMV, typically requiring passport with H-1B visa, printed I-94, I-797 approval notice, Social Security card and two proofs of state residence (lease, utility bill). Licence validity is usually limited to your authorised stay; document lists and REAL ID rules differ by state — verify with your state DMV.
Form AR-11 change of address notification to USCIS (after) — Source: https://www.uscis.gov/ar-11
Nonimmigrants must report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving, filed online or on paper Form AR-11. Separate from any USPS mail forwarding.
Form I-765 H-4 EAD application for the spouse (after) — Source: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765
Available only to H-4 spouses whose H-1B principal has an approved Form I-140 or has been granted H-1B time beyond the six-year limit under AC21. The physical EAD card is then required before the spouse can obtain an SSN and work.
H-1B extension packet (new I-129 filing and resulting I-797 with I-94) (after) — Source: https://www.uscis.gov/i-129
Filed by the employer before the current I-94 expiry, usually in three-year increments to the six-year maximum. Keep the receipt notice: it supports continued employment for up to 240 days while pending. Avoid international travel while an extension or change of status is pending, as departure can convert the case to consular processing.
PERM labor certification and Form I-140 immigrant petition file (after) — Source: https://www.uscis.gov/i-140
Green-card track documents most Indian H-1B holders begin early because of the multi-decade EB-2/EB-3 India priority-date backlog. An approved I-140 also unlocks H-1B extensions beyond six years and H-4 EAD eligibility; retain the approved PERM, I-140 receipt and approval notices permanently.
U.S. federal and state income tax returns (Form 1040 / 1040-NR with W-2) (after) — Source: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/substantial-presence-test
Filed annually; H-1B holders are generally resident aliens for tax purposes once they meet the substantial presence test. Indian nationals should keep records of any India-source income and consult the India–U.S. double taxation avoidance agreement. Filed returns are routinely requested for visa renewals, mortgages and future immigration filings.

Not legal advice. Based on cached research — verify with official sources before making decisions.

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