The H-4 Visa : Paperwork and facing the Interview.

May 2nd, 2007 | by Ridhima Suri |

Updated Feb 22, 2011 : Ask questions on H4 visa here : http://h4-visa.com/

What is an H4 Visa?

According to Wikipedia, this is the visa status that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) grants to immediate family members (spouse and children under 21) of the H-1B visa holders.

The H-4 visa is commonly referred as Involuntary Housewife Status because the adult spouse are not allowed to work making her/him 100% economically dependent.

These visas are usually issued at the local US consulate office of your home country. However, if you are already in US, you can obtain H-4B visa by filing Form I-539 for change of status.

What are H4 visa holders allowed to do?

First the Don’ts

1. They cannot work in the U.S.
2. They are not eligible for a Social Security number. The Social Security number is a unique 9-digit number, used to track the residents for taxation purposes.

However, these are the DOs

  1. They can study in any institution of higher education.
  2. They can learn to drive, and then drive!! Obtain a Driver’s License after passing certain tests, and
  3. Can obtain an ITIN number (Individual Taxpayer’s Identification Number) for taxation formalities.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR THE H 4 VISA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H4_Visa

1) I-797 form (your H-1B visa approval notice)
2) A dated (recently written) letter of employment from the company you work for with your current salary.
3) A Letter addressing Consulate in favor of your dependent’s visa.
4) Copy of relevant pages of passport : Notarized (Make sure that you have the copy of the page with current valid visa.)
5) Copy of the Marriage certificate : Notarized, If marriage certificate is not in English get it translated to English and get it Notarized.
6) A couple of your recent paychecks.
7) Bank statement [proof of money for supporting your spouse]
8) Original passport of the person applying for H-4B visa.
9) Few marriage photographs and a marriage invitation card.
10) Few Company photographs (1 photo of the building from outside and others inside the building preferably office rooms and/or cubicles with computers etc.)

You can divide the list into your own work, your husband’s work and then your combined effort.

Your husband should ideally make a folder containing the items stated in 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,10.

You must ideally have a folder containing
a) Your degree certificates
b) Your 10th class certificate/a copy of your father’s ration card (or any other document which may have your date of birth for verification, if needed. Your passport will also have the same)
c) Your passport

Once the two of you get married,

  • You should get a copy of the Marriage Certificate notarized. Be careful to avoid public holidays and weekends in India. I suggest that you should get this work out of the way as soon as possible.
  • Compile a working collection of Marriage photographs, including as many ceremonies as possible, with most of the family members and the priest/guru performing the main ceremony.
  • Be sure to keep the original Marriage invitation cards.

In the crux,

Just be confident and prompt in giving all the documents and answers.

It is better not to provide original documents since they will likely not be returned though the applicant should have the originals available at the interview if the Consular official requests to review them.

The H-4 Visa Interview : My experience and some tips!

When I walked into the U.S. Embassy office on the date of my interview, I knew I was in for an interesting experience.
My look: Palms red with henna, wearing a heavy suit, jewellery in all the suitable places, and sindoor . And yes! ‘Choora’ is an important symbol of marriage in our culture, so lots of the red and white bangles! A typical newly–wed bride!
What I carried in my bag:
a) All the documents listed above.
b) The originals of all the documents in a. above
c) Some other documents like my work history, salary slips, etc.
d) A marriage album….phew!!!
Okieee…so I did think I was in for a weight lifting hour-long wait. You have to be alone in the queue, whilst all those who accompany you have to wait outside the premises. In my case, my husband was waiting outside in the scorching sun (Well, I got married on April 15th and the Visa interview date was May 7th) Our families were waiting for the result of the interview near all the phones and cell phones available to them.

My goal: To get through the interview round and get my Passport stamped with the H-4 visa. I desperately wanted to travel with my husband (and so did our families!!) so I did not want anything to go wrong.

What are the possible H4 visa interview questions you may face?

As far as the H-4 Visa is concerned the counselor will only have one objective: to find out if you have any intention of working in the U.S. I was asked the following questions. :

  • What is your name ?
  • When did you get married ?
  • Is your marriage registered ? Can you show me the Marriage Certificate ?
  • When did you meet your spouse for the first time ?
  • How did you get married to this guy? When did you get engaged?
  • Can I look at your Passport?
  • Where is your husband working in the U.S. ?
  • A letter of continuing employment from your husbands employer
  • Can I take a look at your husband’s passport ?
  • Can you please show me the I-797 ?
  • What are his qualifications ?
  • Can I take a look at his salary slips ?
  • What are your qualifications ?
  • Could I see a copy of your Degree ?
  • Do you have any intention to work in the U.S. ?
  • Please show me some marriage photographs, if you have any.

My husband prepared me for facing the interview and explained everything to me. My father gave me the important tips. Everyone waited for me to come out of the Embassy and tell the result! I went in. I came out. My eyes darted around in all directions to get a glimpse of my husband. There he was standing in the heat! I told him. We were happy! We told our families. Everyone was happy!!

I was flying to the U.S. with my husband!!!

p.s. sounds like I just gave an exam, but I saw so many visa disapprovals, that I was fingers – crossed! :D

Ask questions on H4 visa here : http://h4-visa.com/

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  1. 53 Responses to “The H-4 Visa : Paperwork and facing the Interview.”

  2. By Naiya Doshi on May 10, 2007 | Reply

    Hey Ridhima!! Nice one! Just quickly read through it and it reminds me what I had exactly gone through 2 months back….but I’m sure this would be a good guide for potential H4 Candidates….

  3. By vin on Sep 26, 2008 | Reply

    *****************************************
    Funny quip———-> you are not allowed to work, which makes you 100% dependent, and you are allowed to obtain a Tax Identification number!!! well, well..:)
    ****************************************

    Perhaps not funny as it may be logical.
    Tax Id number is used when H1b files his tax returns to show his/her as a dependent thus making it a joint return earning reduction and rebate.

  4. By Kainaz on Jan 23, 2010 | Reply

    hi, m very confused my marriage is intercaste, i am a parsi married to a maharastrian, it was against ours parents wish, we dont have an wedding album and wedding pictures but we hav registered our marriage,, plz help

  5. By Ridhima on Jan 24, 2010 | Reply

    Kainaz,

    If you are applying for the H4 visa, wedding pictures are a must. I was at the embassy about 2 weeks back and almost everyone applying for the H4 visa carried marriage photos as proof of marriage. Do you have pictures of the court marriage?? That will help. Good Luck!

    Ridhima

  6. By Diya on Jan 29, 2010 | Reply

    Hi Ridhima,

    I hold a valid L1B individual visa which would expire in August 2010. As my husband is working in US on H1B, I plan to go there as H4 dependent. Please let me know if my L1B indiviual gets cancelled when I appear for H4 dependent visa interview or after clearing H4 dependent visa interview.

    Thanks,
    Diya

  7. By Ridhima on Jan 29, 2010 | Reply

    Yes Diya. Your L1B visa will be cancelled. A person cannot hold multiple U.S. visas. Good luck with the H4 visa interview.

    Ridhima

  8. By Mridhu on Feb 11, 2010 | Reply

    Hi Ridhima,

    I am getting married in November. We are having a love marriage. My fiance is in U.S. he will be coming down just for 1 month and we won’t be having more than 10-15 days in our hand after our marriage. So we are planning to have a court marriage as soon as he comes. Can I apply for my visa after our court marriage? or shall we wait for our proper Hindu ritual marriage and then apply for visa? I want to fly along with my husband desperately. How long does it take to get a H4 visa after filing the application?

    Thanks,
    Mridhu

  9. By Ridhima Suri on Feb 18, 2010 | Reply

    Hi Mridula,
    Yes, you can apply for the visa after the court marriage. You will however, need pictures of the proceedings.

    Take the interview date in advance, get married and then go for the visa interview. If all goes well, you will have the get the H4 visa in 8-10 days. If you only have 15 days on hand, you may want to time your wedding in such a way that you can go for the visa interview asap. Once you get the interview date, complete the visa paperwork on time.

    Let me know if you have any questions.
    Thanks!
    Ridhima

  10. By Monish Prem on Feb 18, 2010 | Reply

    Hi ridhima,

    your blog is very interesting and informative. However, I have one question though.

    I already have a H1B visa and am flying to the US in 2 days. My wife needs to quit her job and come after a month or so. According to your blog, she needs to carry MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT. Is this true? I will be in US and my passport will be with me. if thats the case, then how will she carry my passport. Or will a xerox of the passport pages suffice?

  11. By Monish Prem on Feb 18, 2010 | Reply

    informative blog. one question.

    im flying to the US tomorrow. my wife will quit her job and is planning to come in a month. does she need to carry my original passport (which wll be impossible since i am already in the US) or will a copy of my passport suffice?

  12. By Ridhima Suri on Feb 23, 2010 | Reply

    Monish,

    Your wife must carry her original passport for the interview and copies of your passport. Please get the copy notarized.

    She must carry a copy of the I-797 form (your H-1B visa approval notice)

    Good luck folks!
    Thank you,
    Ridhima

  13. By Swara on May 5, 2010 | Reply

    Hey Riddhima,

    Yours is a very informative blog indeed.
    I’m getting married in May & My Fiance is on H1B visa in US. He is coming 15 days prior to marriage & we intend to get our marriage registered as soon as he comes. Is it okay to have two different dates of register marriage & hindu ritual marriage? I’m taking visa interview date after our Hindu Ritual marriage.
    Please advise.

    Regards,

    Swara

  14. By Ridhima on May 5, 2010 | Reply

    Hi Swara,

    Yes this plan sounds good to me. Make sure you have enough pictures of the court marriage as well. Printed invitation cards of the reception (at a later date) should be fine as well.

    Congratulations and have a great time!

    Ridhima

    IANAL

  15. By annie on May 18, 2010 | Reply

    hi ridhima! thank you so much for helping so many ppl thru ur blog site.

    i have a question. im on H1C visa, my name on visa and passport is annie curtis smith, but i have been adopted by my stepfather and just recently my adoption papers and court orders etc had come out so my last name has changed. so my new name if anni curtis rodriguez. my new name is the one that i used and declared for my marriage contract with my husband since we just got married last 2 weeks.

    question is, will my husband be granted an H4(dependent) visa even if i had a different name in my passportand visa as compared to my name on my marriage contract? i have all the necessary documents to validate my adoption though.

    really really need ur advice. thank u and best of luck

  16. By Ridhima on May 18, 2010 | Reply

    Hi Annie,

    Thanks for the question.

    IANAL but I will answer your question to the best of my ability.

    I think it should work with supporting documents. At the same time, consider doing a name change on passport and visa as that’s not very hard.

    Generally US consulate deals with cases such as this logically and you can definitely try for the H4 visa process.. if it doesn’t work get the name changed and retry.

    Feel free to ask any other questions.

    Good luck guys!
    Ridhima

  17. By Gauri on Aug 21, 2010 | Reply

    Is it necessary to carry our marksheets for an H4 visa interview? Im only 12th Pass and my husband is working there in US. Im planning to go there after 3 months. Pls reply.

  18. By Ridhima on Aug 21, 2010 | Reply

    Not necessary Gauri. Just carry your 12th marksheet.

    Good luck!
    Ridhima

  19. By John on Aug 23, 2010 | Reply

    Hi Ridhima,

    I hold an H1b visa and i am getting married in Novmember,and i m planning to take my wife in H4 visa. We wont have much time and are planning to get back to US soon after marriage. In this case, assuming all documents are in place, what is the processing time for H4 visa? (It will be through Chennai Consulate)

  20. By Ridhima on Aug 23, 2010 | Reply

    Hello John,

    If you have all the documents in place and the H4 gets approved, you should get the stamped passport within 3-4 days of the interview by courier. Please look at the link below for more information :

    http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/whathappensnext.html

    Please make sure you get the marriage certificate as soon as possible.

    Good luck!
    Ridhima

    IANAL

  21. By Ranjan on Sep 29, 2010 | Reply

    Hi,

    I am in US on H1B. I came to US on 27th MAy 2010. But my H1 was stamped on 11 Sep 2008 & it is due to expire on 8 Aug 2011. I got married in Nov 2008. Two days back my wife along with my 9 month old son went for H4 visa stamping at Delhi consulate. She went with all the required documents as stipulated in the H4 visa category. But her visa was put on hold saying that they need some more document & they gave her 221g. Now the list of document they require –
    1. My employer’s federal tax returns for last two years
    2. List of employess working with my employer
    3. W-2 forms for all persons for past 1 year
    4. State un-employment wage report
    5. My LCA
    6. Letter from my end client along with contract document b/w my employer & client

    Now my wife has got all these documents & going to submit those tomorrow.
    My question is why they need all H1 related document for H4 stamping & now how much time it is going to take for getting my wife & son’s passport stamped with H4.
    Overall how they are going to proceed with her H4 application?

    Your response is highly appreciated.

    Thanks
    Ranjan

  22. By Ridhima Suri on Sep 29, 2010 | Reply

    Hello Ranjan,

    For any H4 visa stamping the Consular closely looks at the documents related to the H1 visa. The H4 visa is a dependent visa (on H1 visa). It is not unusual for the Consular to request more documents via a 221g. Once they scrutinize the additional documents and find the paperwork in place the applicant usually gets the visa.

    The Consular officers have a final say on all visa cases. I cannot say for sure how long it would take in your wife’s case. I hope it goes through soon!

    It would be great if you can keep us posted on any updates!

    Good luck.
    Thanks,
    Ridhima Suri

    IANAL

  23. By Mihir on Oct 7, 2010 | Reply

    Hi Ridhima,

    I have few questions and would be kind if you can help answering them. Firstly, the scenario is: My marriage is on 20th December 2010. I will be arriving on 10th December, Friday early morning and planning to go for Registered marriage on 10th or 13th based on the availability. Hoping this step goes smoothly, next step is to take a VISA date on 17th December, Friday. So basic plan is to get her VISA done before traditional marriage.

    1. Should she apply Mehendi before taking VISA interview?
    2. If we are opting for Registered marriage, in that case should she tell the VISA officer about our traditional marriage scheduled on 20th December. Because the wedding card will have 20th December on it.

    Thanks and look forward to hear from you.

    Regards,
    Mihir

  24. By Ridhima Suri on Oct 7, 2010 | Reply

    Hi Mihir,

    Many Congratulations to you.

    I am not a lawyer but I think you should be ok with this plan.

    There is no harm in taking the marriage cards and explaining that the party is on 20th Dec 2010 if you are asked that question.

    I had henna on my hands when I went for the interview but many people do not put it (especially those who are not timing the interview with their wedding). There is no rule on this..:-) I believe its just an implied cue for which the officers are trained. For some people, bridal henna=marriage…:) Does that make sense?

    Please let us know how it goes and feel free to ask any questions.

    Thank you,
    Ridhima

  25. By John on Oct 11, 2010 | Reply

    Hi Ridhima,

    I am on H1b and i am getting married on coming nov 8th and post marriage will be applying for H4 visa for my wife. We are planning to go to the consulate on Nov 15th. To go to the consulate, i understand we need to book an appointment. so, should i fix up an appointment right now for Nov 15 or can i do it later? Can my wife give the h4 interview on nov 15th itself?

  26. By John on Oct 11, 2010 | Reply

    Hi John,

    In my opinion you should book it now. Dates go by very fast. You will also need to pay up the HDFC fee and fill DS-160.

    Good luck!
    Ridhima

    IANAL

  27. By subbu on Oct 24, 2010 | Reply

    Hi Ridhima,

    I am getting married on Nov 9th. I am on H1b visa and plan to take my wife on H4 visa.
    Is it ok to submit the form D160 for my wife before our date of marriage?
    The form D160 for H4 visa will be filled in by my wife and she will be filling the form from the point of view of spouse (though she is single at the time of submitting the form).
    Will there be any problems due to submitting the form before the marriage?
    Thanks
    Subbu

  28. By Ridhima Suri on Oct 27, 2010 | Reply

    Hi Subbu,

    There is no problem in filing in advance. We did the same. In fact you should try to fill the DS160 as soon as possible cause H4 visa interview dates can be difficult to get at a short notice.

    Feel free to ask any other questions.

    Thanks!
    Ridhima
    IANAL

  29. By aishwarya on Nov 29, 2010 | Reply

    Hi,

    Your blog has been very useful thus far for my interview. i will be attending my interview on Dec 9th. can you please tell if it ok to go with mehendi for finger printing?

  30. By aishwarya on Nov 29, 2010 | Reply

    and also we are getting married on dec 7th and planning to leave on dec 21st, so is it possible for us to get the visa this soon?

    my husband will be town for the interview, can i take his original passport with me? do i necessarily need notarized copies of his passport??

    Please kindly help , i am totally freaked out.

    Your answers will be highly appreciated

    Thanks,

    Aishwarya

  31. By Ridhima Suri on Dec 5, 2010 | Reply

    Hello Aishwarya,

    I am sorry for the delayed response but here is my opinion on the questions you have posted above:

    1. Yes, mehendi is ok. I did that too and there was no problem at all.

    2. Yes if all your paperwork is in place and the H4 visa interview goes well you should be able to get your visa soon.

    3. You can take the original passport. I took original plus copies.

    Take it easy. Carry all the required paperwork and answer all the questions that are asked during the H4 visa interview accurately.

    I wish you good luck! and Congratulations! :)

    -Ridhima

  32. By Prasad on Dec 6, 2010 | Reply

    Hi Ridhima,

    Wow!! You’ve become like the ‘go-to’ person online for all H-4 queries. Hehe…That is awesome. There is very little help out there when it comes to matters like whether the girl should apply mehendi or not, etc. I had those queries also but reading your blog and these comments below cleared all my doubts and I think I’m ready for D-Day on 29th Dec :o )

    Thanks Ridhima!!

  33. By Ridhima Suri on Dec 6, 2010 | Reply

    Thank you very much Prasad! I wish you good luck for the interview. Please do post the outcome here. I am also starting a dedicated website for wannabe and current H4 visa holders :http://h4-visa.com/

    Maybe you want to check it out. The website is still in alpha stage..:)

    Good luck!
    Ridhima

  34. By Abhi on Dec 23, 2010 | Reply

    hello ridhima,

    i am currently on my H1B visa. I am getting married on 21January11. As i will have to give a 1 month notice for a court marriage, i don’t have that option now.

    Will it be ok, if i could obtain a marriage registration certificate and submit that as a proof of marriage for my wife’s H4 visa.

    Thanks.

  35. By Ridhima on Dec 23, 2010 | Reply

    @Abhi

    Yes Abhi. That is totally ok. We did the same as well. However, getting the marriage certificate in a very short time can be challenging and of course time consuming. Hence plan ahead on this.

    It would be great if you can post the outcome of the H4 visa interview here for the benefit of others. Feel free to ask any other questions that you may have.

    Good luck and Congratulations!

    Thank you,
    Ridhima

  36. By Sha on Jan 3, 2011 | Reply

    Hi Ridhima,

    I am on H1B and my wife and I got engaged in December in India(ceremony with priest, lots of people, bride with mehendi, ring and garland exchange etc) and have ample photos of it. We also got registered marriage the next day.
    Our traditional marriage is in April after which we plan to fly back to US. I will be India for marriage only for a week, which is not sufficient for visa.
    Hence I planned for registered marriage in December itself, and planning for her H4 visa interview in Feb/Mar.
    My wife will take the ceremony photos (which does not have mangalsutra, tilak photos), registration certificate along with other H4 required documents.

    Do you think we are ok? Any other documents she should carry? Can you please suggest on anything we should be careful and plan for?

    thanks!

  37. By Ridhima on Jan 3, 2011 | Reply

    Hi Sha,

    I think you are ok for showing evidence of marriage. Other than the marriage certificate, she will need documents related to her education/work experience and most importantly your visa, which I assume you already know..:)

    So long as you have a marriage certificate and some pictures of the ceremony you should be fine. I wish you and your wife all the best!

    Feel free to ask any other questions.

    Thank you,
    Ridhima

  38. By Smita Jadhav on Jan 7, 2011 | Reply

    hi ridhima,
    i read ur blog u r really kind to help.
    my husband has left to usa on 25th dec 2010 with h1b visa and has filled my ds 160 form for h4 visa on 24th dec 2010 and till now i havent recevd the date for interview and also is it neccessary to carry our educational orginal certificates or the photocopy will do? please help me to know how more days i will have to wait to get the date for the interview..
    thanks,
    Smita.

  39. By Ridhima on Jan 7, 2011 | Reply

    Hello Smita,

    Please go to this link to schedule your H4 visa interview: https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/USIndia/visaappointment.html

    Click on this link to see the earliest available date: https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/ApplnForms/EarliestDate.aspx

    I carried all originals Smita..mostly degrees and recent marksheets. You never know what they may ask so I kept all originals.

    Let me know if you have more questions.
    Thank you,
    Ridhima

  40. By aishwarya on Jan 19, 2011 | Reply

    Hey Ridhima,

    I really want to thank you for this blog… i took all tht i need to come to the US from your website(includes documents and everything).Now i am happily married here with my husband. Thank you sooo much.

    Aishwarya

  41. By Ridhima on Jan 19, 2011 | Reply

    Hey Aishwarya,

    Thank you so much for updating us! Congratulations! I am very happy for you.

    Aishwarya, I have created a forum for H4 visa holders and I was wondering if you can share your H4 visa experience on http://www.h4-visa.com
    It would help a lot of people in similar situations. If you have any problem in posting, please send me a note.

    Once again I congratulate you! Nice work!

    Best,
    Ridhima

  42. By aishwarya on Jan 20, 2011 | Reply

    I sure will ridhima :) . I like your blog it’s really helpful, gives us confidence to start a new life in a new land. I will keep you posted.

    Cheers,
    Aishwarya

  43. By Ridhima on Jan 20, 2011 | Reply

    Thanks Aishwarya! That would be great..specifically share your experience of applying for the H4 visa/H4 visa interview, and other doubts before coming to the U.S. I am sure a lot of people would benefit from your contribution..:)

    You may also post questions about life in U.S.:)

    Thank you for the kind words..:) It makes the effort worthwhile!

    Enjoy!
    Ridhima

  44. By Ambika on Jan 30, 2011 | Reply

    Hi ridhima, your blog is good and very useful. Gr8 work. I and my husband have h4/h1 visa. My husband is in US. I am going to consulate for my 5 month old son’s h4 . I am wondering what questions will be asked in the interview? Please advice

  45. By Ridhima on Jan 30, 2011 | Reply

    Hello Ambika,

    Thank you for the good words!

    Applying for the H4 visa for a new born baby should be simple. You just have to tell the Officer that you and your baby want to accompany your husband in the U.S.

    Mostly you will be asked questions about your husband’s job. Please do not forget to carry the birth certificate of your child.

    If asked, you should explain that you know all the rules related to the H4 (dependent) visa.

    If you carry all your paperwork I think you should be fine. The interview should be a piece of cake. Good luck!

    Please post the outcome of the interview for the benefit of others.

    Thank you,
    Ridhima
    IANAL

  46. By monica on Jun 22, 2011 | Reply

    Can I apply for H4 without marraige certificate, I hav all the other proofs, On my passport and bank account also my husbands name is reflected.
    We can not go for marriage certificate as he is in US and I am in India, and he can not come back soon.
    Please guide.. Its very urgent.

  47. By Dharti on Jun 23, 2011 | Reply

    My Self Dharti Shah and living in Ahmedabad,India. We Married on 23/Jan 2011.

    1) My husband got H1 B visa at April 2011 quota and his status will be under F1 to H1 B by Octomber 2011 onwards. He has received his I 797/A & I 797/C letter. So its advisable to take h4 visa before October 2011 ?
    should i take H4 visa right now (i.e.June/July 2011) & will go to US after Oct’2011.

    2) Also at the time of interview , Original copy of I-797 is necessary or it is ok with photocopy…

    3) My husband has started his new job on Feb ’2011 and now its difficult for him get leave & come india. So its not possible for him to come india for H1 B stamping on passport.,and same way i want to go US to live with my husband. so is it ok to take visa date before h1 stamping on my husband’s passport.

    Please need urgent reply as i want to book my appointment by 1st week of July

  48. By Deepti on Sep 8, 2011 | Reply

    Hi Riddhima,

    Great stuff! I have a small query… You mention that one of the most important things that the VO is interested in confirming is the wive’s intention to work in the US.. Would that imply that someone with a Masters or an MBA would be at a risk of being rejected on the basis that they are highly qualified?

  49. By Ridhima on Sep 8, 2011 | Reply

    Hello Deepti,

    No, not at all.Basically you have to tell them that you do not intend to work in the U.S. whilst on the H4 visa. That’s it.

    Go to http://h4-visa.com/ to read the H4 visa interview experience posted by people. Also, it would be great if you can come back and share your experience with us..:)

    Thanks and I wish you all the best!
    Ridhima
    IANAL

  50. By Manali on Sep 9, 2011 | Reply

    Hi Deepti,

    Just to add to what Riddhima said, it doesn’t matter whether you have a MBA or masters. I just got my visa 2 days back and I have a MBA too.. they didn’t even ask me any work related questions. I don’t think that makes any difference to them. All the best!

    Manali

  51. By noopur on Sep 19, 2011 | Reply

    hi
    please suggest me what document is required for submitting for h4 visa and what document should i carry in interview.pls help me because i want to flying along with my husband.

  52. By Sunil on Sep 22, 2011 | Reply

    Hi Ridhima,

    I heard that we can apply for the H4 visa only after marriage. Does that mean we have to submit the DS application form and pay visa fees too only after marriage? I know that visa interview date has to be after marriage but what about the DS application form submission and HDFC visa fees payment?
    I am on H1B and I am getting married on 22nd Dec 2011. I will be landing in India on Dec11th and I am planning to get our marriage registered on 14th itself and book the VISA interview after 22nd sometime. Is that ok?

  53. By Ridhima on Sep 23, 2011 | Reply

    Hello Sunil,

    Yes, your plan sounds perfect.Please go ahead and fill the form and pay the fees. Book the visa interview date as well. At the time of the interview, your wife will need the proof of marriage (your marriage certificate and pictures).

    Please come back and post questions asked during her H4 visa interview. We also have a forum that is useful for those applying for the H4 visa interview: http://h4-visa.com/

    I wish you all the best and many congratulations for your wedding!

    Thanks,
    Ridhima
    IANAL

  54. By Phani Krishna on Oct 27, 2011 | Reply

    Hi Ridhima,
    Many thanks for your great help for people like me to hear from your experience.

    I am working in US since last Nov 2010 on H1B visa. I got married in June2011 in a chruch and got a marriage certificate from the church. But i didnt register my marriage in government registrar office in India and due to leave issues I flew back to US soon after marriage, I couldn’t get my Govt Marriage certificate at that time.
    I am initiating my wife’s h4 visa now.
    Will the christian cerificate work for H4 visa?Is there any alternative available like getting the affidavit etc….when you don’t have govt marriage certificate? Does anybody have gone through this situation?
    Any help will be greatly appreciated!

    Regards,
    Krishna

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