H4 to F1 question (time and document requirement)

[mickey111]

Hi,

I am on H1b visa and my wife is on H4. She is currently doing her masters in one of the local university (well know). She has completed one semester with 9 credits and will be completing here second one with another 12 credits on H4. We want to change her status from H4 to F1 so that she can do her final semester on F1 and complete the remaining 9 credits and becomes eligible for OPT.

My questions are:

1. When is the best time to apply for change of status? (Her final semester will start in January 2015, so is it safe to send the application by start of October 2014?)
2. What are the documents required to be attached to the change of status application?

Thank you so much for your help in advance.

 

- Mickey

 

[shekar11#]

You can apply any time from now. If the COS is approved in the middle of the semester it gets deferred to next semester. But find out regarding OPT requirements. Every university has its own rules. Most important rule is you have to be on F-1 status for 1 academic year i.e. at least 2 semesters in your case.

[rahul412]

Hi,

I am on H1b visa and my wife is on H4. She is currently doing her masters in one of the local university (well know). She has completed one semester with 9 credits and will be completing here second one with another 12 credits on H4. We want to change her status from H4 to F1 so that she can do her final semester on F1 and complete the remaining 9 credits and becomes eligible for OPT.

My questions are:

1. When is the best time to apply for change of status? (Her final semester will start in January 2015, so is it safe to send the application by start of October 2014?)
2. What are the documents required to be attached to the change of status application?

Thank you so much for your help in advance.

 

- Mickey

Generally, for OPT eligibility a person has to be on F1 and full time student for on academic year.

But some univ have their own rules, check with your school DSO.

[mickey111]

Thank you very much Shekar and Rahul!