All non-immigrants have several things in common. They are admitted to the U.S. temporarily and may engage only in those activities which are permitted by the specific visa status given at entry. Almost all non-immigrants require a valid visa which must be issued by a U.S. Consulate or Embassy with two major exceptions: (1 ) Canadians; and (2) WTs/WBs--nationals of a select group of countries entering pursuant to the pilot visa waiver program as visitors for pleasure/business for no more than 90 days.

Once a nonimmigrant enters the United States, he or she may remain for the period that is indicated on the Form I-94 (entry permit). These forms are usually completed while the nonimmigrant is on an airplane and are endorsed by USCIS inspections at the point of arrival/USCIS inspections in the United States. The USCIS inspector will generally review the individual's passport and visa, nonimmigrant visa petition approval notice (if applicable) and may ask the individual questions regarding their current trip to the United States. Assuming that the USCIS inspector is satisfied with the documentation and information presented, the inspector will stamp her passport and Form I-94 with an admittance stamp and endorse the stamps with the H-1B nonimmigrant classification and the required departure date which should coincide with the H-1B petition validity period. The passport should also be valid past the intended departure date, or she will only be admitted to the ending date of the passport validity period. Form I-94 that is issued by USCIS controls the non-immigrant's admittance.

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