H-4 to F-1

[simi]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi,
I will be joining dental school next year. I am on an H-4 visa but the school says I have to convert to an F-1 to study while my lawyer believes that I can study on an H-4 but the school doesn't agree. Is there anybody else in the same situation? I don't want to undergo the hassle of changing my visa status.
Thanks.

 

[green emerald]

HI SIMI ...U HAVE POSTED THATS U HABE BEEN ACCEPTED IN MORE THAN 1 SCHOOL,WHERE ARE U JOINING

 

[pkowe]

can you tell me which school has asked you to change your visa? Because i'm also on h4 & i've applied in some schools. even i think that you can study in h4.

 

[drbhakti79]

Hi there,

I too m on H4 Visa. The advantage of getting change ur status is u can work on campus.f u will remain on h4 u cant work and also there r problems of getting the Finanacial Aid.


So the best thing is u shd change ur status to f1 it is really worth.

Anyways all the best.

 

[pkowe]

Hi Drbhakti
Can you tell me from where you are getting financial aid ? I do not have green card thats why i am facing problem to get a loan from anywhere neither i am getting a cosigner .
How long it will take to change my visa to f1 & what do i need to get it done. Is there anything which i need to do for it before getting accepted in the school? Please help me. Thankyou.

 

[drbhakti79]

hi,

Actually it takes about 2-3 months for getting change ur status.
I have very littel info about financial aid ...but i had called one of them and asked whether i will be eligible for getting financial aid they said u shd be a permanent resident.

On h4 v cannot get fedral loan but ofcourse private loan...with high intrest rate...

Only best option is to get ur status change to F1 ,for that u need to show some bank statement ...as its very difficult to get cosigner if u r not permanent resident.

 

[SiMpLy IrReSiStAbLe]

Hi pkowe,
once u r accepted in a dental school, u will be issued an I 20 by the school. U will have to send a copy of the I20 when u apply for the chage of ur visa from h4 to f1.
another thing with f1 is that, whenever u want to travel out of usa, u will need to get the signature on ur I20 by the International Student Advisor. and also u have certain rules that u cannot travel out of usa until atleast u complete one semester at ur school aftr u are issued an f1. also, with an f1 u r permitted to work around 20 hrs/week on campus only. and if u plan to work out of the campus then u will need to get a work permit which u can apply only after completing atleast one year at school.

 

[green emerald]

HI dr bhakti ...u say its better to convert to F1 but if green cxard is on the way say like in 2 years is it possible to get green card when u are on F1 visa....