Can I travel outside US to get H4 visa quicker?

[shalinichowdhury]

I am currently on F1 visa and my OPT is expiring at the end of May 2016. I did not get H1 visa in lottery this year. My husband's I140 is approved and I am planning to change my status to H4 visa and then apply for EAD to be able to work in US. I heard that change of status takes 6 months time and so I was wondering if I can travel outside US and get H4 visa in May 2016 (before my EAD expires). Can anyone suggest if I can do that?

[JoeF]

Sure, you can get an H4 visa abroad and enter with that. Once you are in H4 status, you can apply for an H4 EAD. The F1 EAD becomes invalid if you are no longer in F1 status.

[shalinichowdhury]

Sure, you can get an H4 visa abroad and enter with that. Once you are in H4 status, you can apply for an H4 EAD. The F1 EAD becomes invalid if you are no longer in F1 status.

Thanks!