H4 Visa interview experience Hyderabad

Tjgarla

By Tjgarla,
in H1B : Visa Stamp

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Tjgarla Advanced Member

Tjgarla

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My wife had her Visa Interview for her H4 renewal.

 

Married for 2 years. First H4 visa in 2011 October as a newly wed with company A. Went alone for the interview.

 

Second H4 right now on November 27th 2013 with company B.

 

VO took the passport and the i797. Typed something for 1 minute.

 

Vo: I like your dress is it a chudidar or a kurtha.

 

My wife answered.

 

VO: Where did you buy it.

My wife answered:

 

VO: Where did you buy the necklace.

MY wife answered.

 

VO: Your visa is approved.

 

I guess H4 is the easiest way to come to the US ;)

 

 

 

 

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Tjgarla Advanced Member

Tjgarla

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http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in   Link for the visa appointment 

 

H4 Visa (Dependent Visa)

H4 visa is issued to the dependent family members (spouse and Children) of H1 visa holders who would like to accompany the H1B visa holder in the U.S. during the period of their stay. This article outlines the complete process for H4 dependent visas for H1B visa holders. In such a case, the principal applicant is always the H1B visa holder. Immediate family members like spouse and children under 21 yrs can qualify for this visa and can apply at the US Consulate in their home country.

If you are applying for your visa along with your spouse, who is applying for H1 simultaneously, then you can submit both of your applications together. As an H4 visa holder, you're not authorized to be employed in the US and are not eligible to get a Social Security Number. You can, however:

  • get a Drivers license
  • pursue education
  • open bank account(s)
  • are eligible for an ITIN (Tax ID for IRS Tax purposes)

Make no mistake in filling out the visa application and understanding the legalities related to the H4 visa. Here are some useful tips for the H4 visa applicants.

H4 Visa Tips Name
  • While providing the information to take visa interview and filing online application form visa applicants clearly state your Last Name and Given Name. If your maiden name is different from your name after marriage, please write the name on your passport. In case you have gotten your name changed, your passport must reflect this. Often there is a lot of confusion caused by name changes after marriage.
  • Also please check if the passport issuing authorities have written your name correctly. Common errors are: writing the name in the Last name field, writing Last name instead of Given Name and vice versa. Applicants should check their passport and if the whole name is given in one line, they should get the same changed from passport office before applying for a visa.) In the nutshell, make sure your name is correctly filled out.
  • It is advisable to get your spouse's name endorsed on your passport beforehand.
  • If after marriage your last name has changed, then it's better to endorse the change in your passport beforehand. Otherwise you will have to continue your maiden name in the U.S. Your maiden name will be used in your identification card and driver's license in the U.S.
Wedding Album

You have to show sufficient evidence that you are married to the principal applicant

  • Please make sure that you carry a fairly descriptive wedding album.
  • This means that your album must have many wedding pictures.
  • You and your groom must be clearly visible in the pictures.
  • All the snaps must be very clear and it should be easy to identify the bride and the bridegroom.
  • It is better to include photographs showing some marriage rituals such as photographs around the Agni ceremony (if your marriage is Hindu marriage), engagement ceremony, photos of your families, etc.
Check your visa

Upon receiving your visa, please check for any errors in typing of:

  • your name
  • your spouse's name
  • date of birth
  • type of visa
  • validity date

The key to getting the H4 visa is doing the right thing at the right time and at the right place. Complete your H4 visa paperwork, understand the process, and be proactive during the application period.

 

H4 Visa Documents Checklist:

  • Your spouse’s valid passport
  • A copy of your (i.e. the principal applicant’s) passport
  • A photograph of your spouse and yourself
  • Confirmation page of the DS-160 form with CEAC bar code.
  • Visa Fees receipt from the relevant bank
  • Copy of the principal applicant’s appointment letter from the employer sponsoring the former’s H-1B
  • Copy of principal applicant’s form I-797
  • A letter from the principal applicant’s employer clearly stating the nature of relationship between the former and the employer
  • Copies of the pay stubs from the principal applicant’s employer
  • Original marriage certificate
  • Original birth certificates of children
  • Consulates often ask for further proof of marriage. Typically these may comprise of any or all of the following, as may be available:
    • A wedding album with several pictures of the wedding showing the principal applicant and the spouse together in many of them
    • Marriage invitation cards
    • Video of the marriage proceedings
    • List of guests invited to the marriage
    • A H4 visa holder is NOT allowed to work in the U.S. This must be clearly understood by your spouse when attending the interview, where the officer will ask you whether he/she will be attempting to take up employment when in the U.S. Your spouse will be denied the visa if the officer feels that your spouse will seek employment once in the U.S.
    • A H4 visa holder is allowed to get a driving license and open and operate bank accounts.
    • A H4 visa holder can also enroll at a U.S university, but he/she cannot take up part time jobs that an F1 visa entitles him/her to.
    • Children under H4 visa do not need an F1 visa to study in U.S schools.
    • While the H4 visa process does not distinguish whether it is the husband or the wife who is applying for the H4 dependency, husbands trying to obtain H4 on their wife’s H-1B often find the process harder, and face many more rejections than wives applying for H4 dependency on H-1B.
Important Facts to Note
  • A H4 visa holder is NOT allowed to work in the U.S. This must be clearly understood by your spouse when attending the interview, where the officer will ask you whether he/she will be attempting to take up employment when in the U.S. Your spouse will be denied the visa if the officer feels that your spouse will seek employment once in the U.S.
  • A H4 visa holder is allowed to get a driving license and open and operate bank accounts.
  • A H4 visa holder can also enroll at a U.S university, but he/she cannot take up part time jobs that an F1 visa entitles him/her to.
  • Children under H4 visa do not need an F1 visa to study in U.S schools.
  • While the H4 visa process does not distinguish whether it is the husband or the wife who is applying for the H4 dependency, husbands trying to obtain H4 on their wife’s H-1B often find the process harder, and face many more rejections than wives applying for H4 dependency on H-1B.
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  • 2 years later...
bluejaysrs Advanced Member

bluejaysrs

Posted
Posted

Thank you so much for the information that you provided.

 

 

 

 

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in   Link for the visa appointment 

 

H4 Visa (Dependent Visa)

H4 visa is issued to the dependent family members (spouse and Children) of H1 visa holders who would like to accompany the H1B visa holder in the U.S. during the period of their stay. This article outlines the complete process for H4 dependent visas for H1B visa holders. In such a case, the principal applicant is always the H1B visa holder. Immediate family members like spouse and children under 21 yrs can qualify for this visa and can apply at the US Consulate in their home country.

If you are applying for your visa along with your spouse, who is applying for H1 simultaneously, then you can submit both of your applications together. As an H4 visa holder, you're not authorized to be employed in the US and are not eligible to get a Social Security Number. You can, however:

  • get a Drivers license
  • pursue education
  • open bank account(s)
  • are eligible for an ITIN (Tax ID for IRS Tax purposes)

Make no mistake in filling out the visa application and understanding the legalities related to the H4 visa. Here are some useful tips for the H4 visa applicants.

H4 Visa Tips Name
  • While providing the information to take visa interview and filing online application form visa applicants clearly state your Last Name and Given Name. If your maiden name is different from your name after marriage, please write the name on your passport. In case you have gotten your name changed, your passport must reflect this. Often there is a lot of confusion caused by name changes after marriage.
  • Also please check if the passport issuing authorities have written your name correctly. Common errors are: writing the name in the Last name field, writing Last name instead of Given Name and vice versa. Applicants should check their passport and if the whole name is given in one line, they should get the same changed from passport office before applying for a visa.) In the nutshell, make sure your name is correctly filled out.
  • It is advisable to get your spouse's name endorsed on your passport beforehand.
  • If after marriage your last name has changed, then it's better to endorse the change in your passport beforehand. Otherwise you will have to continue your maiden name in the U.S. Your maiden name will be used in your identification card and driver's license in the U.S.
Wedding Album

You have to show sufficient evidence that you are married to the principal applicant

  • Please make sure that you carry a fairly descriptive wedding album.
  • This means that your album must have many wedding pictures.
  • You and your groom must be clearly visible in the pictures.
  • All the snaps must be very clear and it should be easy to identify the bride and the bridegroom.
  • It is better to include photographs showing some marriage rituals such as photographs around the Agni ceremony (if your marriage is Hindu marriage), engagement ceremony, photos of your families, etc.
Check your visa

Upon receiving your visa, please check for any errors in typing of:

  • your name
  • your spouse's name
  • date of birth
  • type of visa
  • validity date

The key to getting the H4 visa is doing the right thing at the right time and at the right place. Complete your H4 visa paperwork, understand the process, and be proactive during the application period.

 

H4 Visa Documents Checklist:

  • Your spouse’s valid passport
  • A copy of your (i.e. the principal applicant’s) passport
  • A photograph of your spouse and yourself
  • Confirmation page of the DS-160 form with CEAC bar code.
  • Visa Fees receipt from the relevant bank
  • Copy of the principal applicant’s appointment letter from the employer sponsoring the former’s H-1B
  • Copy of principal applicant’s form I-797
  • A letter from the principal applicant’s employer clearly stating the nature of relationship between the former and the employer
  • Copies of the pay stubs from the principal applicant’s employer
  • Original marriage certificate
  • Original birth certificates of children
  • Consulates often ask for further proof of marriage. Typically these may comprise of any or all of the following, as may be available:
    • A wedding album with several pictures of the wedding showing the principal applicant and the spouse together in many of them
    • Marriage invitation cards
    • Video of the marriage proceedings
    • List of guests invited to the marriage
    • A H4 visa holder is NOT allowed to work in the U.S. This must be clearly understood by your spouse when attending the interview, where the officer will ask you whether he/she will be attempting to take up employment when in the U.S. Your spouse will be denied the visa if the officer feels that your spouse will seek employment once in the U.S.
    • A H4 visa holder is allowed to get a driving license and open and operate bank accounts.
    • A H4 visa holder can also enroll at a U.S university, but he/she cannot take up part time jobs that an F1 visa entitles him/her to.
    • Children under H4 visa do not need an F1 visa to study in U.S schools.
    • While the H4 visa process does not distinguish whether it is the husband or the wife who is applying for the H4 dependency, husbands trying to obtain H4 on their wife’s H-1B often find the process harder, and face many more rejections than wives applying for H4 dependency on H-1B.
Important Facts to Note
  • A H4 visa holder is NOT allowed to work in the U.S. This must be clearly understood by your spouse when attending the interview, where the officer will ask you whether he/she will be attempting to take up employment when in the U.S. Your spouse will be denied the visa if the officer feels that your spouse will seek employment once in the U.S.
  • A H4 visa holder is allowed to get a driving license and open and operate bank accounts.
  • A H4 visa holder can also enroll at a U.S university, but he/she cannot take up part time jobs that an F1 visa entitles him/her to.
  • Children under H4 visa do not need an F1 visa to study in U.S schools.
  • While the H4 visa process does not distinguish whether it is the husband or the wife who is applying for the H4 dependency, husbands trying to obtain H4 on their wife’s H-1B often find the process harder, and face many more rejections than wives applying for H4 dependency on H-1B.

 

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