H-1b Visas--where to mail the petition

Your employer must mail TWO ORIGINAL COPIES (duplicates will not be accepted) to the USCIS service center having jurisdiction over your emplyer's business. There are only 4 such centers in the United States. You must see http://www.uscis.gov/ for the addresses and p.o. box numbers for these service centers.

After the USCIS receives the petition, they will issue you a file number and send written confirmation that the papers have been received to your employer. Expect your visa's approval within three to six months. But you can get expedited service if you pay an extra $1,000.00 above the usual filing fee. This gets you a decision in about 15 days or so. The USCIs will send your employer a Form I-797 Notice of Action.

You can now make an appointment with the consulate in your country for an interview (both you and your family will be interviewed by the consulate.) (Skip this step if you are Mexican or Canadian. You can just proceed with yoru I-797B and other supporting documents and request admission at the port.)

But for the rest of you, you have until the expiration date on your H-IB visa to enter the United States and request your visa stamp once you have been interviewed by the consulate in your home country. The border officer will examine your paperwork and if all is in order will stamp your passport with the Visa and give you an I-94 Card.