<p>If the Alien is already in the U.S. and wants to change to a working  visa,    what are his alternatives? For example, if the alien is in the  U.S. with a B-1    visa, and since under this visa he cannot be employed  by a US company, he must    either return to Japan or change his visa  while in the U.S. Under immigration    regulations he may apply to  change his status to a working visa while in the    U.S.</p>
<p>After several months in the U.S. (at least sixty days) the alien may  change    his status to another visa. The standards are the same in all  categories previously    discussed; E, H, and L visas. The alien files  for a change of status on Immigration    Form I-129 and if approved he  may accept employment.</p>
<p>There are limitations on this method of obtaining a visa. The change  of status    is recorded only on the alien's staying permit (I-94).  Therefore if the alien    leaves the U.S. his visa status will revert  back to his original visa, in this    case a B-1. If the alien desires  to reenter the US, he will enter as a B-1 or    has to obtain a visa in  the new category at a U.S. consulate abroad.</p>
<p>It is difficult for many Japanese Managers to understand this  procedure. It    can be explained by using an illustration. The visa  stamp in the passport can    be thought of as an entry pass into the  U.S. Therefore one enters with his entry    pass (E, H, or L). Once the  alien is in the US, a staying permit is issued (I-94).    The alien must  have a valid staying permit to remain in the U.S. The entry pass     (visa stamp in passport) becomes irrelevant once the alien is in the  U.S. Even    if the visa stamp in the passport expires as long as the  staying permit (I-94)    is valid the alien can remain in the U.S.</p>