I got an O-1 visa for two years, and my first entry to the US is coming up. What do I need to show at the airport — just my passport with the visa, or also my employment contract? With a tourist visa they asked for the address of my first place of stay; do they ask the same for an O-1?
Print and definitely bring a color copy of the I-797A — at my first entry they checked that one first; they only glanced at my passport and visa. They also asked for the address of the first place I’d be staying; I just gave the hotel name and that was it. I also took the contract with the petitioner just in case, but it wasn’t needed — although it’s better to have it in your bag.
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A CBP officer at the port of entry really checks three things: the visa in your passport, the I-797A, and the address of your first night’s stay. You don’t need a contract with your employer — with an O-1 your petition already shows approved status; it’s not a B-1 where you have to prove the purpose of the visit. When I flew on a work visa for the first time, the only document-related question was the petitioner’s name — the officer just checked it against the I-797 and that was it.
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Most importantly, the I-797 must be the original paper; CBP won’t accept a PDF on your phone.
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The first time is always nerve-wracking — with the I-797 form and the hotel’s address, that’s all you need)
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