H1 to F1

[ganeshv1985]

Hi,

I am on a H1B visa currently and plan to go to college next fall. My wife is on her H1B as well. If I change from H1 to F1 in US, can I visit India and come back without any process (stamping etc) involved ? Can I apply for a H4 on my wife's H1 and use it for traveling to India ?
Please help.

Thanks,
Ganesh

[Nattybone]

Hello, Ganesh.

What we use to enter and exit the US is called a Visa. What we maintain once inside the US is called Status. If at anytime, you change your status while being in the US, when you exit and re-enter US, you need to have the same visa on the Passport as your Status in the US.

If you switch to F1 from H1, when you exit US and re-enter you would be requiring F1 stamp on the Passport. Same for H4, if you exit and re-enter US. If you stay within the US, you do not need stamping, as long as you maintain your Status.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

I am not an Immigration expert, these are my opinions.

Hi,

I am on a H1B visa currently and plan to go to college next fall. My wife is on her H1B as well. If I change from H1 to F1 in US, can I visit India and come back without any process (stamping etc) involved ? Can I apply for a H4 on my wife's H1 and use it for traveling to India ?
Please help.

Thanks,
Ganesh