H-1B Scholars
The spouse and children of an H-1B visa holder can accompany the H-1B visa holder to the U.S. in H-4 status. If applying for a visa and planning on traveling to the United States at the same time as principal visa holder, family members should visit the consulate with the principal visa holder and apply for visa stamps with the necessary legal documents establishing their relationship to the principal visa holder; the principal visa holder should also have the necessary documents establishing his or her eligibility for H-1B visa
Contact the embassy/consulate ahead of time to find out which documents are required to establish relationship to the principal visa holder. Consulate officials will also expect to see proof of adequate financial support for family members.
If applying for a visa and traveling to the United States separately from the principal visa holder, family members will need legal documents establishing their relationship to the principal visa holder (marriage certificate for spouse and birth certificate for each child). In addition, H-4 dependents will need the following documents:
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Original I-797 approval notice for the principal H-1B
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Photocopy of the entire H1B petition submitted by the ISSS office to USCIS
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A letter from the employing department stating that the primary non-immigrant is currently employed by them (and which states their name, job title, salary, and employment dates as indicated on the I-797 approval notice).
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Copy of the last three months of the H-1B’s payroll advice statements from Emory.
The original I-797 approval notice is kept on file in the ISSS office, as is the I-129 petition submitted to USCIS.