I-94 issued for shorter period than I-797B

[anaceci28]

Hello,

Back in December 2019 I applied for an H1-B visa, and I got it for one year, but my I-797B stated I could work until June 2021. At the port-of-entry, where I got my I-94, the officer told me I could only get the I-94 for one year even though the I-797B stated another time period. I've had a TN visa before where the visa expiration date and the I-94 expiration date do not match. I was expecting to have a similar situation again where I could get the I-94 past the H1-B visa expiration date (similar to the TN); however, as I stated, this was not the case. I thought it was strange that they didn't issue the I-94 to match the I-797B since I have friends that have the H1-B visa for 1 year but the I-94 matching the I-797B.

Is there a new policy that has taken effect this year where they only issue the I-94s for one year? A friend that had her I-94 issued on the same week ran into the same issue but in a different port-of-entry, so I think it is not a coincidence.

Should I go to the Deferred Inspection Office to see if I can get the I-94 "corrected"?

Thanks!

[newacct]

Perhaps your I-94 was limited to the expiration date of your passport (or 6 months before the expiration date of your passport, depending on the country)?

If not, you should go to a deferred inspection office to get it fixed. You should be admitted until the expiration of the H1b petition.