Comments on: Bridal Confusions on an H4 Visa: My Take

By: Pooja

Pooja — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 07:59:02 +0000

Thank you very much Ridhima!!
Its indeed a relief for me. I will for sure post my experience on your blog.

By: Ridhima Suri

Ridhima Suri — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 08:17:50 +0000

Hello Pooja,

That is excellent! It’s your call-you can come to the U.S. on F1. You can apply for F1 visa in India.

Alternatively, if you come on the H4 Visa, the H4 to F1 conversion does not take too long..6-8 weeks-maybe sooner.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Also it would be great if you can share your final decision and interview experience here so that others can benefit…:-)

Thanks!
Ridhima

IANAL

By: pooja

pooja — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 07:49:39 +0000

Thank you Ridhima…I have a few more questions!!
1. I have already taken my GRE and i intend to take my TOEFEL soon.(I am a graduate in a pharma field) I want to apply for admission into those universities which are nearby to my spouse’s place,and if suppose i get an I-20 from those universities can i apply for an F1 visa from India itself??(By the time i apply for a F1 visa,i will already be married).So is it possible that i still apply for a F1 and come with him on this status instead of a H4??

2.If i do come on a H4,how much time will it take for a H4 to F1 transfer??

Thanks and regards.

By: Ridhima Suri

Ridhima Suri — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 02:33:20 +0000

Hi Pooja,

Thank you for the kind comments.

1. Please note that you cannot work on the H4 visa but you can certainly study!Hence if you want to study while on the H4 visa it’s possible.

2. You cannot apply for F1 in India unless you have been accepted in a college/University here. If you can work that out and know exactly what you want to study you can do that. As you are getting married in MArch 2011 you do have time to prepare for GMAT/GRE/TOEFL.

3-a. In my opinion it will be easier to get into a college once you are here. Even the H4 to F1 transfer process can be initiated here.

3-b. Yes you can work part time on the F1 Visa in some courses. It is called OPT.

4.It is your call if you want to wait till you complete a year (in other states more or less) or start right away. The only reason people wait for some time is to save money. In some colleges you actually end up paying less tuition fee if you are a resident. In California this is also known “resident” tuition fee. In some states, the savings can be 2-3 times lower than what foreigners.

5. Yes a degree/diploma from a community college is recognized. Please be careful while choosing a community college.

I wish you good luck!

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks,
Ridhima

IANAL

By: pooja

pooja — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:39:04 +0000

hi..
Your blog is just superb!!A single destination to all the queries related to H4 visas. I have a query of my own.I have completed my Bachelor’s degree(4 yr course) in India and i intend to do my masters (M.S) abroad..but i am getting married in march 2011 and my spouse works in U.S and is a H1b visa holder.

a)can i apply for an F1 visa(from India itself) for Fall-2011, though i get married and pursue my higher studies, as H4 visa holders are not eligible to study or work until a change of visa status is achieved.Is it possible that i apply for a F1 visa rather than a H4 visa to go on with my studies(i can do a part time job as well) and stay with my husband at the same time??

b)Is it that i am not eligible to apply for a F1 visa after getting married and have to go on a h4 visa??

c)If suppose i go on a H4 visa, can i pursue my higher studies “immediately”(at the community colleges)without waiting for an year to get the resident statesmanship and if yes what are the litigations involved??

d)Is the degree/diploma from a community college recognized and will it be helpful for me to get a nice job later on??

Earnestly waiting for your reply.
Thanks and regards.

By: Ridhima

Ridhima — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:51:48 +0000

Shamit,
What airlines are you using? Some airlines are allowing 20-25 kgs per baggage. You can carry 2 per person. Check with the airline provider and pack accordingly. Good Luck!

By: Shamit

Shamit — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:06:42 +0000

Hi, i am shamit

Would you please tell me how much baggage weight is allowed for US, i am getting married in the next month

By: Ridhima Suri

Ridhima Suri — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 01:28:16 +0000

Good for you Maneet! Congratulations. Remember that most of the airlines have reduced the amount of luggage a person can carry. For example Cathay Pacific has reduced the allowable limit per bag from 32 kgs to 27 kgs. So pack wisely!

By: maneet

maneet — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:45:59 +0000

thanks for the wonderful insight into the most difficult part of going abroad after marriage..PACKING! i will be moving soon and was just browsing when i came across ur article. thanks. I have one advantage though, my would- be husband would be making one more trip in between..so half of my stuff goes then and later half after we get marreid