H4 to F1

[radhik_a]

hi!

i entered the us with an h4 visa in Jan 03. Subsequently in fall 03 I received admission to a univ, and was able to get a change of status approved to an f1.

i am going to india in december, when I plan to get my change of status to f1 stamped on my passport. my college advisor told me that it is risky to go back to the home country, as I run the risk of my f1 being denied, as it will be hard for me to establish home cntry ties with my husband being here.we have not applied for a green card.

i have already booked my ticket and really want to go back. at the same time, I really enjoy the course and want to study, so if the f1 visa is denied, I lose my assistantship, which we cant afford!

any suggestions on whether the risk is worth taking, anyone been in a similar situation, or got an experience to share!

thanks so much,
radhika

[tinobulger]

I can give you my advice. DO WHAT THE ADVISOR SAYS.

With your husband in the US, I doubt you will be able to get a F-1 visa in India. Especially if the officials find out you were already in the US on H-4.

It looks to me like you are jsut finding another way to stay in the US (no offense ), and if it looks like that to friendly me, well, the ebassy official is a lot tougher....

GOOD LUCK!

Let us know your decision!

(Need more help, check out my recommendations below, thanks!)

[Nilanjana]

Hi Radhika,

I know you one yearns to go to India.....I am here, too, and I know the exact feeling.....but I'd ask you to wait around somemore .....it's just a few months since your course started.....it would be better if you go a couple of years after joining

Remember while filling up the VISA application form you had written that you will neither work or study in this country? This is what they can hold against you along with your lack of ties to India.....on the other hand there are many who have successfully made the conversion...but why not be safe than sorry?

All the best for your ventures.
Nilanjana

[ruby]

Hi,
I am Ruby. I am also on H4 visa. I applied for this Spring semester and also got accepted. Now, they asked whether I want a fresh I-20 or I would like to go for a change of status I-20. I am in a dilemma, and don't know which one will be better option for me. On one hand, Change of status is safer than going to another country and applying for visa. On the other hand, I heard that change of status takes a long time and I won't be able to avail any assistanceship until I get my F-1. Could you please guide me?

P.S. Radhika, I didn't understand what you have written. Actually, I don't have any idea about visa stuff. you told that you were able to get a change of status approved to an F1. So, if you go to your home country in December, why will you have to apply for a change of status to F1 stamped on your passport? If I apply for change of status, will I not be able to go to India before completion of my course?

Radhika, Nilanjana, tinobulger, and others please help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks and Regards,
Ruby

[Nilanjana]

Hi Ruby,
As far as my knowledge goes (and you should check it with an expert ...maybe the one who deals with the international student visa at your univ) you cannot avail of assistantship on an H4 and so need an F1 for it.....you can get the status changed (where you send all relevant documents along with the new I-20) staying in the US but it is a longer process but a sort of surer process.......after getting this status changed if you visit anywhere outside the US, you need to go to the consulate and get the F-1 visa. Supppose you plan to go to india, you will have to go to the US consulate and try getting your F-1 from there......this is not a sure process as I know of many whose F-1 have been refused....but remember that this is not a rule and there are people who get their H4 converted to a F1.....this is the simple reason why people prefer getting their status changed here in the US and not going to their country for a few years.
Hope this helps a little but please do talk to someone who is an expert in all this......wish you all the best for your future

Nilanjana

[ruby]

Thanks Nilanjana. Your information really helped me. I think I will go for change of status.
Thanks once again,
Ruby

[coolgirl]

Hi Radhika,

I am in the same situation as yours.. Came here on H-4, got admission for the winter quarter starting in January 03, applied for a change of status to F-1 in Feb 03. My COS was approved to F-1 just in October 03(after a long wait of 8 months!).My husband is here on H-1 and we also haven't yet applied for a greencard. Man, isn't there so much similarilty!!

I have my flight tickets booked for India in December. Now when I go back to india I have to apply for a new F-1 (yes, I realise all the risks of the F-1 being denied!!). But still I have decided to be brave and go aheadWill surely let you know after I get back whether my visa was approved or denied! Do pray for me! Worst case, I will apply again for a
H-4 visa and come back. Anyway, we don't plan to stay in teh US for long, just want to finish my MBA(i have another 3 quarters to go!) and go back!

I thought I will write here since I saw such a great simirailty b/w our posts and also this will help someone else who is in a similar situation.

Thanks,
--coolgirl

[swarna_c_r]

Hey guys,
I am also on my h4 visa and I got admission to MS .my question is can I start my study as a full time student now and then get a conversion to F1 after a semester?or should I apply for it at the beginning itself?
please doreply guys...

Thanks,
Swarna

[Nilanjana]

Hi Swarna,

I would suggest you talk to the International Student Advisor in your University....he/she will give you a list of documents and let you know whether you need the conversion before joining or not....my case is a little different as I am on a F2 visa...I was enrolled as a nondegree student from Fall 2003 even before I had taken the GRE or the TOEFL....I got admission ifor Spring 2004 but on a F2 visa I cannot join full time....I met with the advisor and she has been very helpful....I have deferred my admission to summer by which time I expect to get the visa status changed....moreover in case you have some assistantship, you may not be able to receive them without the status change.


Wish you all the best,
Nilanjana

[Nilanjana]

I checked and in my university you can study part time or full time if you are a H4 Visa holder but you can neither do any on-campus jobs or get any financial aid....so I guess it would be the same for your univ too....wish you all the best and hope you do really well in your MS