Options on H4 Visa

[sulabhkapoor]

Hi,

My wife has accompanied me on H4 visa, we are looking for options that she can do while in this country -

1) Option 1 - convert her visa to H1B for which we have to look for a sponsor and pay the cost of visa conversion
2) Option 2 - go for further studies and get her visa changed (if that is a better option while studying)
3) Option 3 - heard that an H4 person can open a business here but not sure on the repercussions of the same

We are more inclined towards Option 2 and Option 3 since my wife has done Masters in English and looking for a sponsor would be a difficult option.

~Sulabh

[kadkhiq81]

Options on H4 Visa

Option 2 would work out but try to research more about the school before you could proceed. If it is public, Non-profit organization, it would be good. Often, students from couple of universities are struggling for their further visa extension.

Your wife cannot have Social Security and I am not sure whether she can own a business. I don't know.

[raghvi]

Hi,

My wife has accompanied me on H4 visa, we are looking for options that she can do while in this country -

1) Option 1 - convert her visa to H1B for which we have to look for a sponsor and pay the cost of visa conversion
2) Option 2 - go for further studies and get her visa changed (if that is a better option while studying)
3) Option 3 - heard that an H4 person can open a business here but not sure on the repercussions of the same

We are more inclined towards Option 2 and Option 3 since my wife has done Masters in English and looking for a sponsor would be a difficult option.

~Sulabh

1. Its illegal for you to pay the cost of change over to H1, its employer's responsibility to do so.
2. Changing to F1 would require you to prove an intention to return back to home country which could be difficult. She can study on her H4 though.
3. H4 cannot open a business and earn profit from it.

This is my opinion not legal advice.

[sulabhkapoor]

1) It could be illegal to pay but companies are refraining from sponsoring H1 and the employers (contracting organizations) with whom I have spoken to - they want me to pay the fees of visa conversion + lawyer's charges.

2) F1 visa could be difficult but that could be obtained if prepared well. And, that would be required in order to receive scholarship/ OPT.

3) Thanks for this information. I read regarding H4 opening a business on IMMI itself - preferably I would like to research more on it.