When Employment May Begin

H-1B employment cannot start until both conditions are met:

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has approved the H-1B petition
• The employment start date listed in the approval notice has been reached
  
  

Scope of Authorized Employment

H-1B authorization is strictly limited to what is listed in the approved petition, including:

• Specific department
• Job title and duties
• Salary and funding source
• Work location(s)
• Employment dates

Work outside of these terms is not permitted.

Changes to Employment Conditions

Any change to the approved employment details is not automatic and may require prior approval. This includes:

• Job duties or responsibilities
• Job title
• Salary or funding source
• Worksite location
• Sponsoring department

In many cases, the department must file an amended H-1B petition before the change can take effect. The VIS office should be contacted in advance to determine whether a filing is required.

Outside Employment and Compensation

H-1B employment is restricted to the sponsoring employer only. This means:

• No work or services may be performed for any other employer without separate H-1B authorization
• No outside wages, payment, or compensation are permitted
• Honoraria are not allowed under H-1B status
• Limited reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses may be permitted in specific situations
  
  

Multiple Employers

Working for more than one employer is only allowed if each employer has its own approved H-1B petition.

• You may not begin secondary employment until the petition is approved (or properly filed under H-1B portability rules, where applicable)