As an H-1B temporary worker, you are responsible for understanding how to maintain valid H-1B status. Please read through the information below and contact the International Center if you have any questions. In addition, all new employees should arrange to attend a virtual H-1B Visa Orientation within two months of starting employment at Tufts. Please see our H-1B Visa Orientation for dates and times and to register for the next available session.
1. Maintain valid immigration documents while in the US
2. Notify USCIS within 10 days of any changes to your US address
3. Pursue the H-1B opportunity for which you were sponsored, and notify the International Center if there are any changes to your job responsibilities
4. Do not accept employment from institutions other than Tufts
5. Travel using your H-1B visa and I-797 Approval Notice
6. Notify the International Center in the event you no longer intend or need to maintain H-1B status with Tufts
7. Depart the US by the expiration of your H-1B status, or seek a timely extension of your H-1B status before your current H-1B authorization expires
If you are in H-1B status, you are permitted to study in the US, on either a non-degree or degree basis, as long as you are otherwise fulfilling the terms and conditions of your H-1B employment. You are not required to change to F-1 student status unless you decide to terminate your H-1B employment and change your primary purpose from employment to study. Contact the International Center if you have further questions.
H-1B temporary workers may be accompanied by family members, including their legal spouse and/or dependent minor children under the age of 21. Family members of an H-1B worker are given H-4 status. Dependent children lose H-4 status when they get married or turn 21.
To obtain H-4 status, the family member must apply for an H-4 visa at a US consulate (note: citizens of Canada are not required to apply for visas, but must show documents establishing eligibility when requesting H-4 status upon arrival in the US). Required documents include:
Any dependents in H-4 status are permitted to study while in the US, on either a part-time or full-time basis. H-4 dependents are not allowed to work, except for certain H-4 spouses who are allowed to apply to the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) for H-4 employment authorization.