H4 To F1 Visa Process - Risks and Benefits
Enrolling in a US University is a big step that requires a lot of planning. It gets even more complicated when you have to worry about immigration status.
H4 dependents that choose to go back to college often have two options – Enroll in the program on H4 status or convert from H4 to F1 visa. Also, most people ask if they have to go to their home country to apply for F1 or change their H4 status to F1, especially now because of the COVID travel restrictions.
Documents required for the Change of Status from H4 to F1:
• College Acceptance Letter and a Copy of I-20
• Sevis fee receipt
• Copy of most recent I-94
• Copy of your passport – include only first page, last page, and all visa stamp pages
• Copy of all prior I-797A approvals if you had filed any H4 visa extensions
• Proof of funds to cover tuition and expenses. Include your H1B spouse’s bank statements for last 3 months. The bank balance should be more than the amount mentioned on I-20
• Cover letter explaining why you are applying for the change of status from H4 to F1.
• Copy of your marriage certificate
• Copy of H1B spouse’s passport – include only first page, last page, and all visa stamp pages
• Most recent I-94 of your H1B spouse
• Last 3 pay stubs of your H1B spouse
• Cover letter from H1B spouse that they are sponsoring your education
Submit all the above documents to the Dallas Lockbox facility. You can check the current address on USCIS website.