I am working in the US on H1B and I am a Canadian citizen. I did not anticipate to get a job in USA when I entered from Canada. However a job opportunity appeared through a friend and I filed for premium H-1B processing and got my H-1B approval.

Do I need to leave the US and re-enter with a I-94 from the H-1B approval notice to make my stay in the US valid? Can the immigration officer at the US port of entry raise any question since I entered US originally without the intent to work?

Please help.

If INS attached a I94 with your approved H1B notice you don't need to leave USA and work until that date mentioned in I94
If you received only H1B approval notice without any I94 doc attached to it you need to leave USA before you start work under your H1B employer
The problem is if you don't receive I94 you need a visa from US consulate in Canada based on your approved H1B petition .Getting a new I94 at POE shouldn't be a problem as long as you have valid H1B visa and offer letter from your employer
Remember if you are in USA your I94 is actually governing your status there so you just can't work on an H1B approved petition without I94 doc
Hope this info will help you
thanks

N.B Not sure whether you are planning for US GC or not..otherwise you could easily work on TN visa based on your Canadian Citizenship status and for that you don't need any approval from INS

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ani

Canadian citizens do not need a Visa from the US consulate to work . YOu can get your I-94 from any Port of entry showing your I-797 and start working

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We will find a way or we will make one

Why you have H1B and not TN Visa?

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A Proud Indian Canadian

H1b enables you to file for GC while TN1 does not

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We will find a way or we will make one

I live in Canada as a PR and commute to work in USA. I plan to visit India for 3weeks and I will go from Toronto,Canada. Will they take away my I-94 card when I board the flight?Wonder because Canadian immigration at Toronto port may not have concers about my US visa status and I-94 card. If they take away my I-94 card, when I drive back to enter USA from Canada (after I come back from trip to India), will they provide me new I-94 card?
In case they at Toronto port do not take away my I-94 card, do I need to let the US immigration know that I went to India from Canada?

My H1B visa and the I-94 card are valid until the end of 2006.