H4 Visa Requirements and Checklist for Spouse
If you are a regular visitor to my blog then you might be knowing I got married last month and came back to US leaving my wife back in India. I never knew about my wife before visiting India for a yearly vacation, the reason being I didn’t take the needed documents for processing my wife’s H4 visa. I had to come back for documents that my wife needed to submit to the officer in American Embassy for her H4 visa. After going to various web sites I made a checklist of things that I needed to send my wife for getting one H4 visa.
Here are the documents that anyone in India will need to submit while applying for H4 visa
- You need to deposit the application fees at HDFC Bank, for details on fees and bank visit www.vfs-usa.co.in. You need to keep the original receipt with you and carry it along all the docs to the embassy.
- You need to complete non-immigration visa application form DS-156. This will be done online after the required funds been deposited with HDFC Bank towards the Visa fees.
- You also need to complete Form DS-157 online, be attentive while filling this form. You can save these forms and review it later before you click the submit button. This process can be saved for 7 days.
- You will get an online appointment application letter at the end so carry a hard copy of that letter.
- You need to carry one photograph: 2 and 2 inches square (50 mm square). If you are going to Kokata American Consulate then visit to Bombay Studio to get
a perfect picture for your visa. This Studio is next to the embassy office so you just need to reach 1 hour early to pick your snap with yourself. US consulates are very strict on photograph so better you carry the one with their guideline else you will have to visit them once more. - Original marriage certificate is needed, there are two ways in India to get a marriage certificate, they are marriage registration, registered marriage.
Registered marriage is applied upfront and date is scheduled after 30 days of your application, this is normally for couples those are not married and trying
to get married. Marriage registrations is a process where you can get a certificate in a day, this is for couple who already got married with the social act and want to register their marriage with government. - A Weeding photo album with clear close-up snaps with all the family members taken separately and some snaps from the marriage puja.
- Both side marriage invitation cards.
- Photocopy of H1B holder’s passport, take copies of the pages that are not blank, doesn’t need to copy whole book.
- A copy of approved petition I797 / form I-129 of H1B Visa holder
- H1B holder’s employment verification letter is also needed. Get one from the current employer.
- If current H1B holder is already working in US then need to produce 2 recent pay stubs.
marites toledo keegan: my husband is amirican,what document i prefer to the embassy…
we marry already…
Arpita Dey Says: August 29th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Hi,
I’m getting married in November, 2009. My fiance is working in the US. He is there since 4 years. I am residing in Gujarat, while my fiance’s family resides in Maharashtra. I am planning to get a social marriage conducted on 29th Nov and get a marriage registration done immediately the next day itself. My question is, is this certificate valid for my H4 Visa application or is court marriage a must?
I am confused simply because lots of people are giving us different opinions.
Do post your suggestions. It would help me a great deal in planning my transit to the US.
Thank a lot.
@Arpita You can get the certificate from the municipality office and that is called marriage registration, that means you are already married and just registering that with government of India. That is a valid one and i did the same for my marriage certificate. It works.
Anoop Says: September 9th, 2009 at 8:41 AM
Hi,
I’m getting married in Jan,2010. I will get around 4 weeks leave. Our plan is to fly back together after marriage. For this her interview should be scheduled within 3-4 days after marriage. Can I apply for VISA before marriage and go to the interview with the necessary documents? I can arrange to get the marriage certificate the next day itself. Let me know your thoughts.
@Anoop, I am confused. you said “Can I apply for VISA before marriage?”. Is that you mean if you can schedule a date before your marriage? You can’t schedule a date before your social marriage because you will be asked to show the mariage pictures. You can schedule a date anyday when you have the above documents to show the authority and prove them that you people are married, practically that will be after your social marriage. You can always schedule her interview date before 2-3 weeks of the expected date of the interview. Good Luck!!!!
Gaurav 2009/09/30 at 5:53 PM
hi!
im getting married Nov 23rd 2009. Want to bring my wife with me to US on H4 visa.
Q1. Is this a good time (i.e. today Sep 30 2009) for me to book a timeslot for the interview for sometime around Nov 25 or Nov 26th?
Q2. Can I accompany my wife in the interview?
Q3. Do I need to mention anywhere that I will be accompanying her during the interview?
Thanks much for your help.
Regards,
Gaurav
@Gaurav, Good luck for your marriage. US authorities don’t reject or select a visa based on time so any time will be good to book a date. The only thing you should remember that you need to have the above mentioned documents while approaching the interviewer. I think you can get the certificate in the meantime so go ahead and book a date, you can always reschedule it. I think you can’t accompany your wife, if you need to renew your visa then you both can schedule at the same time and go for it. I am not very sure on accompanying so better clarify it from experts. If you see any option where you can go for it with her then I am very sure you have to mention it somewhere before the interview.
Sriharsha 2009/10/01 at 2:21 PM
Hi San
Nice post and thanks for helping people like me
I am planning to get married in jan 2010 and planning to bring my wife with me. my question is i am on H1 and had valid visa until Sep 2010, recently i changed my company and got my visa approval but i did not have stamping with the new approval. so is it ok if my wife carry my latest approval and go for the stamping or do i need to get the stamping done before she go the stamping. please advice. can i receive the reply to my email id
Thanks in advance
@Sriharsha, Wish you a happy married life. I suggest you both go at the same time for the visa stamping. I just said that to Gaurav above.
@Priya (Oct 24th) – Yes, you can apply individually. My wife applied alone and I was in US that time. You need all the documents, not your husband at the interview. After you receive the H4 visa it is upto you to decide the date of journey, no hard rules.
@Priya (Nov 11th) – 1. If you go to local municipality office with all your documents after the marriage then you should get that in a day, it will be handy. At least I got that in a day in Orissa. 2. It depends, normally you will get it in 5-7 days but I will advise you not to buy your ticket before you have your passport with visa on it. Rather just book a ticket and carry the ternary to the consulate.
@Revant – Both go on the same date and slot. I think you need to go to the site or ask some experts on this but I know both can go together for the interview as my friends did in the past that I know at least.
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COMMENT
Name: Gaurav
hi!
im getting married Nov 23rd 2009. Want to bring my wife with me to US on H4 visa.
Q1. Is this a good time (i.e. today Sep 30 2009) for me to book a timeslot for the interview for sometime around Nov 25 or Nov 26th?
Q2. Can I accompany my wife in the interview?
Q3. Do I need to mention anywhere that I will be accompanying her during the interview?
Thanks much for your help.
Regards,
Gaurav
Name: Hong
Hi there,
I’m currently an F-1 student in the U.S.
And I will get married with an american citizen at the end of this year, intended to applying my citizenship after the marriage.
So mind me asking what’s the process for me to apply?
Will it be exactly the same as it is discribed above as H4 visa?
Best regards,
Hong =)
Name: Anil
hi!
I’m getting married Nov 5th 2009. Want to bring my wife with me to US on H4 visa.
Right now I have my H1-B visa stamped with my previous employer and the documents need for my spouse like H1-B approval letter, Exp. letter and pay-stubs are on my existing employer. My VISA is valid till Sep-2010. My questions are:-
1). Should I get my H1-B stamped with new employer
2) If I dont get stamped will it be an issue for my wife.
Thanks in advance,
Anil
Name: priya
hi,
my husband got his h1b approved in september 2009. i did not apply with him since we did not register our marriage that time. now we got our marriage registered. can i apply separetely for h4 while he is in india?
he is planning to travel to US in 2010 januaryand i am planning go in march 2010.
Thanks & regards
Name: Revant
Hi I am getting married in November and I am planning to bring my wife with me. I renewed my H1 visa. I need to go for visa stamping. My questions are…
Should I have seperate appointments for me and my wife for the visa interview?
Or can she accompany me with my H1-visa interview?
Thank you
Revant
Name: priya
Hi,
I would be grateful if any one has answers to my below questions:
1. I am getting married in Calcutta and was wondering if anyone knows within how many days of registering marriage does one get their marriage certificate.
2. Also after the interview with the US embassy within how many days does one receive the passport back from the embassy with the H4 visa
Thank you for your response and time.
Name: San Nayak
Priya and Revant, I answered your questions in the article so scroll all the way to the bottom of the article and little above the comments to see the answers.
Name: Yan Niepa
Hi,
I am on H1B, my spouse is still in school but would like to complete her degree before moving here. I would like to have her apply for the H4 so she can be able to travel to the US in vacation. Do you think that it’s possible? Would the consulate allow this?
Thanks.
Name: Kamal
Hello sir,
I m in US since last 16 months,I m married but when i came to US i told my visa cosular that i m single.At that time i did mistake but now i got my H1b approved n i want my wife here wid me…is that possible without going back to my country?or i need to go back n show the marriage papers again n come wid her???please help me.
Name: Radha
Hello sir/madam,
I have the same problem as of Mr.Kamal.
Actually i m in india,my husband got married n went back to US but he said the same thing as Mr.Kamal did that he is single during interview.Now he wants me to come to US,How can i apply H4? PLease waiting for the answer.
Name: San Nayak
@Kamal, @Radha - It is more important to show the valid proof that you are married than what you or your husband said at the consulate. There should be no problem to get a visa as long as you show them all the documents. Logically this is not correct as a person leaving the country said not married and someone following him is saying married to the same person but i think they will not be hard on that. This is my thought, you need to put this question in front of experts and hopefully there is a chance of 90% that you will get through the interview to get the visa.
Name: Devi
Hi,
I am going to get married in Feb 2010. My fiance is working in U.S. He is there since 9 years. He is holding H1b visa. Due to some personal reasons we were not able to arrange for social marriage and we are planning to have it as a simple register marriage. In such a case how can I submit the following documents for H4 visa.
1. A Wedding photo album with clear close-up snaps with all the family members taken separately and some snaps from the marriage puja.
2. Both side marriage invitation cards.
Is it possible to get H4 visa then? Can you suggest/guide me pls.
Name: Biraj
Hello sir,
I am getting married on 26th Jan 2010. Planning to apply for USA L2 visa for wife. Where can I register my marriage to get the marriage certificate immediately ?
Name: dave
hi san
i came to us 4months back i got married on feb4 and now i am trying to bring my wife to states.there is no one else to help me out except u i got few imp information regarding documents.my question is do i need any paperwork from my employer is so what r they.please respond
Name: Raamapriya
Hi Sir, I'm getting married in dec 2010 my wouldbe is working at US. he is holding H1b visa. Sir plz let me know if i apply for visa after my marriage within how many days can i get my stamping done so that i can go with my wouldbe to US. Now he is in India he is leaving on 12th march if i can't get visa after my marriage can i apply now my showing my engagement album and get my marriage registration certificate and will apply for visa. plz suggest me which one will be good. i just want to go with my wouldbe after my marriage so plz respond soon.
Name: San Nayak
Raamapriya, You can get your visa stamped passport from the US consulate in 5-7 working days. I will advice you to book a date just after your social marriage and take the marriage album with you. Ask your expected husband to stay in India for at least 10 days after your marriage. I am not an expert but all i know social marriage photos are needed and they ask for it at the interview. Wish you a happy married life and good luck for the Visa. Do let us know your experience here.
Name: San Nayak
Dave,
you need an employment verification letter from your current employer. It will be a simple letter saying that you are employed and will keep working with them.
Name: Supreetha
Hi San,
I am getting married on march 25th 2010. I am planning to leave with my husband. He will be here for 3 weeks, including a week after our marriage. We want to go for registered marriage since we dont have much time after marriage to finish process and hence dont prefer marriage registration. Is it possible to schedule a visa appointment as soon as we get the marriage certificate and before the social marriage. Wouldn’t a register marriage suffice ? Is the wedding album necessary?
Thanks,
Supreetha
Name: San Nayak
Hi Supreetha,
It is a requirement for them so try to fix a date just after the social marriage. You can print some of your snaps and carry an album if you schedule a date after a day or two of your social marriage. If you are socially getting married and it is more likely your husband will stay there for couple of days after the marriage then why not to take an appointment after the social marriage.
Name: Salve
Hi San,
Firstly I would like you to thank you for this super info posted on your website. There are not many active links people have for getting help on H4 visa. My question is after the marriage is it necessary for the dependent to have a new passport which would be having her new surname or the old passport would do.
Name: San Nayak
Hi Salve,
I really don’t know how the change of name works in India but i definitely mentioned my name as the husband’s name on my wife’s passport. I never needed my wife’s name on my passport as i am not on a support visa rather she is. So what i did was, paid Rs 300 as the application fees and got it hand-written & stamped by the passport authority about her marital status on the passport. Her name remains the same, i never wanted it to change as she has her original name on all the certificates. What you can do is keep the name same but update her passport about the marital status so that she can show it during the stamping about her marriage to you. You will submit the passport for this to the officer and will get it back in evening. Good luck!!
Name: v
hi, me and my wife are applying for J1 and J2 visa next month. the problem is that we have done registered marriage and we dont have any photographs of our wedding. her passport mentions my name in spouse section. should i still worry coz i dont have the album? thanks for suggestions.
Name: San Nayak
Hi V,
In almost all the religions practice a social marriage so the officials ask for photos as a proof. It is something to worry about because they have the certificate but still they ask for photos, i think they want to make sure by looking into this pictures as well. If you put me in your shoes then i will make sure to arrnage snaps either by getting married socially or by a mock one. Good Luck!!
Name: Sachin
San.
Thanks for the great post! Is getting your spouse’s name on the passport a requirement or optional if one the certificate and albums?
Thanks.
Name: San Nayak
Thanks Sachin,
I don’t think adding husbands name in the passport is mandatory, i did it as an additional prove. If I remember it correctly it was not asked by any expert but it is a status change that we all should do as we are international travellers and updates can prove us to be a couple at any hassels. Good Luck!!
Name: Sonia
Hello,
I am a Canadian PR and have US Visitor’s VISA (B2). My fiance is in US on H1B Visa. We are getting married in September in India. I work in Windsor and my husband is in Detroit. We both can keep our jobs and he is planning to come live with me in Canada. M question is, should I apply for H4 and then enter US while we come back, or should I just fly from Canada and come back and apply for H4 here in Toronto. Are there chances they may refuse H4 or delay it somehow. I don’t want to book my flights of coming back to US, if I won’t have H4 by then. And I suppose entering on visitor visa while you’re already married is not a good idea. Please Help !
Name: San Nayak
Hi Sonia,
I have a friend who has a Canadian PR, I asked him to help us in this situation. I am waiting for his response, please wait for the update. Infact he graduated from University of Windsor and settled in Toronto now. Lets see what he has to say on this.
Name: Rinku
Hi Sonia,
As Per my knowledge you dont have to worry about H4 Right away. Its best to enter US from Windsor and you can continue to use your Visitor Visa. We guys fear the US Entry too much. No need for that. You are a Canadian PR and have a Valid US Visa. Assuming you have a valid I-94 you can just drive in by showing your passport and PR Card to security. Your Personal visas dont get cancelled because of your marriage. I think it is perfectly legal to be in US of you own Visa ( B1-B2, H1, L1 Etc..) While you are married to a US Resident.
In your case you can apply H4 Both in India or Canada. But under general case it is best to apply at a location where you have spent most of your last few years. Assuming you have spent most of your last few years in Canada and you have a Canadian PR you should apply your H4 in TORONTO. The ties with Canada are well established. Infact you are a canadian resident right now (Windsor). you are a visitor to India where you are just going for marriage, and you might have more problems if you apply for Visa in India.
I am not a legal expert but based on my Experience ( I was in windsor myself and have crossed the border at detroit many times) I would suggest Marry and come back to canada. Book a US Visa appoitment at TORONTO, and until then continue using your Visitor Visa. Entry with a Valid VISA and I-94 is not difficult and mostly there would be no hassles.
Relax and All the best for your Marriage.
Name: Sonia
Thanks a lot for your help San & Rinku.
I agree with the fact that I can get my H4 here in Canada, and that would be a better option. However, I have heard cases from people that cross the border and then if they mention that they are going to meet their spouse, the immigration people at the border object your entry as visitor, when you might just stay in US. That is why they ask you to get the valid H4.
However, it will be my husband who will travel back to Canada most of the time, but my concern was when we are flying back from India. Our marriage would have been legally registered, and it might be hard to hide the fact that I am married considering if there is an India working there who recognises some of our traditional signs of being married. I just wanted to know if it’s safe for me to come back in US on my visitor visa and then go to Windsor. Because, I believe if they find out that I am married but still havent got my H4, they may object me enterin gwith my husband on B2. So I guess a good idea would be to fly back to Canada and then file for H4.
Name: San Nayak
Sonia,
I don’t know a lot about it but just my thoughts, while coming back to US from India if you are interviewed by someone knowing lot about indian culture will know that you are married but until you are asked about your husband it will remain as a secret that he works in US. I can guess that the questions will be why you are in US, you can answer like visiting friends or relatives. It is less likely that he will ask you about your husband. There will be no passport update so he/she can’t know or will try to know more about your husband. On returning day, make sure the bindis are less visible and don’t dress like a newly married dulhan. ha ha…
It will be always a safe bet to return Canada directly though.
Name: Rinku
Sonia,
It is always better to enter US from Land Border. The Airports usually have more security and more questions. So If I were in your shoes I would first come back to Canada and then think about H4. Applying from India when u reside and work in Canada is not wise either. they might redirect you to canada either way.
Just one suggestion. Keep an eye on US Visa appointments in Toronto and monitor in regularly. Its not easy to get one. Book one when u get it and then reschedule it later if you need to.
Please leave your comments when you are done with the process.
Best of LUCK.
Name: Sona
Hi San,
I'm from India just wanted to know few things related to H4 Visa.
1) As My husband's employer applying for H1 visa, then i will be on H4 visa, so at the time of stamping my visa, my husband's name displayed by the embassy on my visa or not.
2) Is it necessary for H1-B visa holder to have his spouse name on the passport.
Name: San
Hi Sona,
1. There will be a mention of your husband's name on your H4 Visa by the US embassy.
2. It is not necessary for H1-B holder to have his/her spouse's name on the passport as he/she will be not in US on a sponsor visa. It is better for dependents to have that mentioned in the passport. I don't have my spouse's name on my passport.
Good Luck for you Visa!!
Name: Karthik
Hi San,
I have a question. I recently got my H1B Petition extended and got new H1B I797 peition and new I94. My wife and kid are in India. My Visa stamping in my indian passport is now expired with the previous visa stamping.
Can my wife and kid appear for dependent H4 visa processing in US Embassy in USA without my presence or Do I have to physically go to visa stamping with them?
Is my extended H1B Visa documents enough for my wife and kid to get stamping without me?
Please this is kind of urgent and I'm awaiting your earliest reply.
Regards, Karthik
Name: San
Hi Karthik,
I believe your wife and kid will go for stamping in India than US that you have mentioned in the comment.
1. You don't have to be there, they can go directly to the US Consulate for stamping.
2. Send them your extension prove like I797 and I94, that should prove your status but don't forget to add other documents.
Good luck to you and your family for the visa.
Name: suneetha
my husband has h1b visa. we got married on October 2009, presently he is not working there, can i go for h4 visa stamping without recent pay stubs, he have pay stubs of 1 year back worked.
Name: San
Hi Suneetha,
I think no, don't go for visa stamping as they will need a support letter from the employer and recent pay stubs. Even if you get through without it somehow, you will be needing the same stuff during the immigration. You can not get into the country without it. I don't know why you need a H4 but there are other ways to get into the US like visitors, business, etc. Good Luck!!!
Name: srini
hi. i'm on H1B visa and my future wife is in india and we are getting married on may 27th...can i take an online appointment date for h4 visa for june before may 27th? please advice...
Name: nisha
Hi, My fiance is in india, i am on H1. We are going to get a court marriage in june 2010. does anybody have any news on how difficult or easy it is to get h4 approval for a guy. i want him to have a visa so he can travel to and fro to see me. he has no intention of staying in the us. do we need any additional papers other than the regular. any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Name: San
Hi srini,
You have not mentioned if your marriage is on 27th may or june. If you are trying to book a date before your marriage date then don't do it. You cann't produce the social marriage pictures by then. If you still can arrange that without getting married socially then feel free to book a date anytime that you think the pictures of your marriage will be ready. Officers will surely ask you for your marriage pictures. Good luck for the visa and i suggest to book a date after your social marriage date. Please comeback and let us know how your visa interview went.
Name: San
Hi nisha,
I never heard a case anyone going and getting a dependent visa based on the registered marriage only. I really don't know if he will be able to get through that or not but i have a friend who got married socially and her husband had no problem in getting a H4. Good luck for your marriage and fiance's visa, let us know your experience as well.
Name: srini
hi san,
thanks! for the reply. my marriage is on may 27th this year and i would like to take a date for the H4 visa interview, the date would be first week of June. for that can i book the visa interview now for first week of June in advance? Please advice.
thanks, srini
Name: San
Hi Srini,
You can book a date for h4 interview any day after May 27th. You are planning for June first week so go ahead and check the website for booking a date around that time. You need some formalities to be done like payment of fees and all. Ask someone back in India to do that and handover the receipt number to you so that you can book a date from now for June first week. Good luck for your marriage and visa.
Name: Vinod
Hi,
I applied for H1 recently. I plan to get a court/registered marriage soon on my F1/OPT visa. But I will not be able to visit again to get my H1 stamping anytime soon. Can my wife get her H4 if my H1 petition is approved? Also, since this is a court marriage, I can only produce an album with our friends and the puja. No parents since they have made it clear that they dont want to be a part of it. Will this be a problem? Thanks
Name: San
Hi Vinod,
I am confused, you said you are on F1, planning for a court marriage and the puja. Where will you have this? In india i guess. I think if you do this right now in F1 then still you can get her in F2, your university should support her with a F2 doc, i guess a I20 for her. Sometimes university needs a marriage certificate and sometimes they don't care about it. There can be some ifs and buts by the interviewer but she should convince the interviewer that she is visiting US to spend more time with you and live here until you are done with your term of working in US. Puja is a requirement in Hindu marriages so no matter who all are there but there should be a traditional marriage and some proofs in terms of pictures. Again either she tells the truth about the parents being absent or make a fake one. I prefer being truth.
If you are planning to get her in H4 no matter what your plans are and you can produce the certificate and album then give your current status details to her like new I94, 797 and support letter from the employer. You also should make a photo copy of your passport and send her to have it handy during the interview. Remember nothing is mandatory because i got my visa stamping without having a copy of 797, you just need to convince your situation to the interviewer.
Good luck for the marriage and visa...
Name: Anu
Hi, My fiance is in USA on H1B visa and we are getting married by the end of this month. And planning to give interview for H4 visa by the begning of June. On last year Nov and Dec i tried twice for Student visa and my application denied. Do those deniel affect my H4 visa stamping? I heared it is good for me to wait for a year completion before giving the next interview. Can u advice me please?
Name: San
Hi Anu,
You can definitely go for a H4 interview in June. There is no such rule that i read that one have to wait for 1 year if he/she is rejected for 2 times. I personally think the reason of rejection is 99% dependent to that application not biased with previous one. This is totally different visa than F1, here the rejection ratio is very less as you are coming to US as dependent. Keep your nerves cool, get ready for the marriage. Enjoy the marriage, collect all docs for the interview and appear it. I bet you will make it this time, comeback and let us know how it went. Good luck for your marriage and visa.
Name: sainithya
My Husband has H1B visa. we got married on October 2009, presently he is not working there, can i go for h4 visa stamping without recent pay stubs, he have pay stubs of 1 year back worked.is there any problem during the immigration
Name: San
Hi sainithya, If your husband is not working then how come he is on H1B? If a person looses a job in H1B visa then he/she becomes illegal in US, officially there is no grace period to find a new job but if someone can secure another in a month or so then he continues to remain in status. If he has a job then he becomes legal and hence generates some pay stubs. I don't know details about his situation but if you don't have the recent pay stubs, employer letter, work details then don't go for the apply for visa.
Name: Neerja thakur
Hi, I have a question like my husband is H-1 VISA HOLDER. his travel date was 13th may 2010. and i am going for H4 visa on 24th may 2010 after 10 days. i don't have any pay stub . is any problem in getting h4 visa because of that. please help.
Name: San
Hi Neerja,
No, I don't think there will be any problem in getting a visa if your spouse is yet to receive the first pay stub. They can have a lookup and check that, i know many went with their husband to get the H4 visa stamping at the time of H1B stamping. Don't worry but take all other documents with you to the embassy. Good luck for your visa and let me know how it goes with your interview.
Name: Manohar
hi, I am an Indian and my fiance is Brazilian but she is working in U.S on H1B. We are planning to get court marriage in Aug 2010. Her employer has already filed her green card. where should we marry in India or in Brazil? After marriage I will apply for H4. can we take some pics in the court where we gonna marry? or we have to arrange a party and have some pics there. We are not planning to have big party. if we marry in Brazil my family will not gonna be there only me. but she is coming to Inida in july we are planning to have engagement party there in India and my family will be there but not her. we will take some pics also and then I will go to Brazil and marry there and register our marriage there. What do you think what gonna be better/easy for us so I get H4 visa.
Name: Manohar
we are going to marry in court we still need marriage invitation card?
Name: Sunanda
Hi San,
I think your website is very resourceful. Well my question is that I'm getting married to someone with an H1B visa status in July this year. I already have a multiple entry visitor visa to the US valid till 2019 and i've already been to the US twice since i got that visa. If i'm unable to schedule a date three/four days after my marriage for an H4 visa, is it ok to travel on a visitor visa after the marriage? Also, i dont think i will have the time to include my spouse's name in the passport. Will that affect my chances of getting an H4? Thanks in advance.
Name: Bhawna
Hi San,
I am getting maried in September 2010. My fiance is in US on L1 Visa which is valid till Dec 2010. I need to travel with him for a period of Three months. My concern is, that he will be coming to India for a period of three weeks and we are unsure whether we will be able to finish all the formalities with in three weeks including getting the marriage certificate, booking an interview date and getting the visa stamped in that time frame. Is it a good idea to get a visitor visa instead of dependent one, I am not sure. Please advise. Also he is based in Chandigarh and I am in Delhi, and marriage will be held in Delhi, Can we get the marriage registered in Chandigarh, and get the visa fast, or we need to get it registered in Delhi only.
Name: sainithya
my husband is h1b visa holder. his h1 is going to be expired in October. by dis month im going to be attend h4 stamping.is there any problem with h1 expiration.
Name: Sonam
Hi
My husband is working on H1b from the past 2 years. We got married on 8th Feb 2010. My parents did not agree for the marriage but my husbands parents were ready. We did a marriage on a very small scale without my parents consensus and so we did not call a photographer; and i dont have the photos. But later when my parents got to know about my marriage they agreed and then we got our marriage registered. On the same day we did a small gathering with friends and family. I have the photographs of that function.Will those photos work? Please let me know asap.
Name: San
Hi Manohar, You can marry in India or in Brazil but you will have to apply for H4 from India. Marriage pictures and invitation cards are supporting documents to prove that you are married to so and so but it depends on situation and religion of marriage as well. If you are asked for the following documents then either you have it or make them believe it was not needed in your marriage plan so you never had it. Hope this helps you and good luck on your marriage and Visa.
Name: San
Hi Sunanda,
It depends on you what visa you prefer to get into US. You can still keep the visitor visa and keep coming to US. I have less knowledge on visitor visa so if you think you will get better opportunities in H4 then you can apply anytime you feel like and convert it. Getting your husbands name on your passport is not mandatory it is just as an additional support to prove you are wife of H1B visa holder's. If you want you can skip it. Good luck for the marriage..
Name: San
Hi Bhawna,
You can still apply for L2, it doesn't matter if L1 is expiring in 3 months. Only thing you need to get it done before your husband leaves for US is marriage certificate. I know you can get it done from Delhi but kinda not sure if you can make it in Chandigarh or not. Every city is different but no one can deny a girl to take a marriage certificate from her own city and if the marriage is held there. Please ask your fiancee to get a word from Chandigarh municipality. You can always take a date in Delhi in advance and once your fiancee lands there then you both proceed for court marriage. You can book a date anytime after your marriage and you don't need your husband at the time of interview. Good luck for the Marriage and Visa.
Name: San
Hi Sainithya, I don't think so it will be a problem if H1B is expiring in Oct but make sure you have current pay stubs and employer support letter. Good luck for the Visa.
Name: San
Hi Sonam,
Sometimes they even don't ask for any picture. If they ask then make them know your story and carry all your pictures that you have and think can be of any work during the interview. Good Luck for your Visa.
Name: Sonam
I wanted to know that i have submitted the Visa Fees in Delhi, but i have not yet lined up my Visa Interview. My Husband will be coming to India in October. Can i give the Interview in Mumbai when he comes to India. Basically is there an issue if i have given the Visa fees in Delhi and i want to give the Interview in Mumbai?
Name: Manohar
Thanks for your help. I still some questions. we are going to marry in Brazil and only my fiance's family will be there not mine is that okay? before marriage my fiance is coming to Inida and we gonna have engagement (ring exchage) so that time only she is coming alone not with her family, is that okay? can we do our engagement in our house and have little party and take some pics for my H4 interview? In brief we are planning for engagement in India and marriage in Brazil.
Name: San
Sonam, you can deposit the visa fees in any city and that gets deposited to a central account. It will not matter at all. You should pick an embassy zone either from your residence city/your work city or your husband's city/work city. Suppose you both are not from mumbai and non of your employer is from mumbai then don't apply there, they will ask why you have applied here.
Name: San
Manohar, nothing guarantees a visa and for me your situation is logical so all that i can say is keep pictures of all the little and big ceremonies and produce when asked. Make sure to have a marriage certificate. Good Luck..
Name: jhansi
Hi,
My H4 Visa expired on Feb 2010, I will be going to India on 28 May 2010 for my H4 Extention. Do i have to take the same documents you mentioned above or are they any other doc's. And also can you tell me if i need to take form I 129 with me. (The Form I-129 is only for the principal applicant that is my husband i donot have a I 129 is that correct?)
Name: San
Hi Jhansi,
You should take all the documents except for the part where one needs to prove the marriage details. This is H4 renewal so they granted the dependent visa looking your records already. Now they will extend so they need the current status of your husbands H1B details. Take a copy of your husbands I94, I797, I129, passport, original employer support letter, etc.. Remember, take all the documents that you have and things that you can collect from the list above. It is better to have everything handy than be sorry later.
Name: sai
Can any one help me plz. i got married in october 2010. my husband has h1 visa. because of his father death he stayed in India for one year 2 months. In February month he went back to U.S and he got job there. now i have all documents including pay stubs. can i go for h4 stamping. is there any problem due to he stayed here for 1 year.
Name: San
Hi Sai, I don't think that will be an issue. If you have all the current documents then it should be fine. I have friends who go for 3-6 months vacation and comeback to a new job easily. You mentioned you got married in Oct 2010. It is still May and we will see Oct after 5 months from now. Good luck for your Visa..
Name: Sonam
i have my visa interview lined up on 18th June in Delhi Consulate at 9.00 am. Please tell me by what time shall i reach and is there any line outside the gate?
Name: San Nayak
Hi Sonam, before 30 mins should be fine but to be in a safer side try be there at 8AM. From my experience at Kolkata embassy once i saw a little line, probably we 3-4 guys were too early for them so they made us wait outside the building. You can check the official website for actual time. Good luck for the Visa...
Name: Hema
Hi,
My Husband and myself, we both work in different renowned IT companies. I had been to US on a H1 visa and came back just 4 months before it expired as I wanted to be with my family. My husband was also in US for quite sometime. We met each other in May 2009, when he was here for vacation. Then we decided to marry in December 2009 and so he came back for good. We got married and were in India for 2 months but then he got a offer and went back to US. His project is in Phoenix. When I talked to my managers, they too agreed to send me to US but our project is in Minneapolis. We thought we would try to be in our own companies and see if our companies can try for our relocation. However, during my L1 visa processing we realized that the lamination in my passport had come out. unfortunately I was misguided and ended up reapplying for a new passport with the name change. Its been 4 months now and I was planning to resign from my job and go on H4. But his visa is going to expire in August and he has applied for extension. Can I apply for H4 visa when my husband has just applied for his extension? I'll be joining him after 4 months, will it cause any problems? Is it easy to get my visa converted to H1 or L1 while I am on H4? Is it necessary for him to come back? Is it not sufficient if he sends me the soft copies of all his documents?
Name: San
Hi Hema,
- Yes, you can apply for H4 when your husband has just applied for extension. He should have at least 1 month valid H1B visa when you go for H4 stamping. Take his renewal application details as well.
- After the visa stamping it is upto you to decide when you will join him in US. Take the current documents like pay stubs and employer support letter when you travel to US.
- Yes, it is easy to convert. You just need a company who can offer you L1 or H1B.
- It is not necessary for him to comeback, you just need his documents' photocopy.
Name: kusum
Hi, I'm getting married in dec..my fiance is on an H1 right now.. i'm planning to go along with him to the US after our social wedding..while scheduling my appointment what should i fill in my status?? married or single?? because i'll be selecting an interview date after the wedding.
Name: San
Hi Kusum, mention that you are married because this application for a event that is going to happen after marriage, by the time you go for interview you will be married. Good luck.....
Name: sai
hi. on June 7th 2010 i went for h4 visa interview and i got visa. but my visa validity they gave as till October 2010.because my husbands h1b will expire on October 2010. after expiration of two visas what can we do
Name: Kishore
hi! I got married May 24th 2010. After marriage I came to US without my wife. Now I need to bring my wife on H4 visa. Right now I have my H1-B visa stamped with my previous employer and the documents need for my spouse like H1-B approval letter, Exp. letter and pay-stubs are on my existing employer. My VISA is valid till March-2011. My questions are:-
1). Should I get my H1-B stamped with new employer or just the petition with the new employer is enough
2) If I dont get stamped will it be an issue for my wife. Thanks in advance
Kishore
Name: San
Sai, Congratulations... Your case is similar to my wife's case. You need to get into US before your visa expires, that is DEC. I guess your husband applied for an extension so once he gets that approved it is up to you people to get it stamped again or not. Normally you will need the stamp if you go out of the country. However your mission one is accomplished so come to US and wait for the H1B extension approval to think further.
Name: San
Hi Kishore, I am not an expert but from my experience i think stamping has less importance in front of I797 and I94. Send the photocopy of your passport but don't forget to pass on all your current documents. Your new I94, 797, employer letter, pay stubbs, ect. Good luck for your wife's visa. Let us know how it goes..
Name: KAPS
I got engaged with my wife on Jan 11 this year and did a registered marriage with Registrar of Hindu Marriage on 13th Jan. I have the Marriage certificate. We plan to do the social marriage in Nov this year. I want to apply and get her the H4 VISA before marriage which is why we got married in front of the registrar after engagement. My wife has my name as Husband on her Passport as well with my home address in india. We have tons of good engagement photographs(ring ceremony) and albums, but since it was an engagement - there are no photos of rituals, sindur, pheras etc.
Is it okay if my wife goes for the H4 Interview with marriage certificate and engagement albums and photos. What should be the answer if the interviewer points out that where are the rituals photo. Should we say we are married legally and plan to do social marriage in Nov. or do not mention about it?
Name: San
Hi KAPS, Social marriage pictures are additional stuffs to prove that you people are married. Same time they ask for certificate, passport, etc to prove the same. Situations might occur where one cannot produce marriage pictures but that doesn't mean they are not married. For your situation, if interviewer asks for marriage album then give him the pictures that you have. I don't think he will complain for not having pheras and all. If he does then say "my husband is coming for a week and we want to rap up everything before he arrives for the social marriage". I(your wife) will not have enough time when husband(you) comes to india for marriage so I am here to get the visa done before social marriage. Just give a marriage date that is very much close to the interview date.
Name: EJ
Thank you so much for posting such good information on H4 stamping. I need your advice for my case of H4 Stamping. I worked in USA on H1 visa for 5 years and I have pay stubs till Feb 2010. I became H4 on march 2010 and planning for India trip in Aug 2010. my wife h1 is valid till July 2012 but is not stamped in her h1b in her pass port. Is it safe for me to go for h4 stamping to india even though my wife does not have h1 stamped in her passport. I do have I-797 of my wife h1 and my h4 approval notice. Kindly let me know so that I can plan a trip to india.
Name: EJ
Hi San,
I also asked 5 lawyers and they said us consulate in india is the best place to ask this question and they felt it is ok to go for stamping of my H4 even though my wife h1 is not stamped in the her passport.
Can you kindly let me know from yours and your friends experiences if the consular officers in india consulate are asking for h1 stamp requirement and are rejecting h4s if they do not have their hubby or wife H1 stamp in their respective passports?
Name: San
Sorry EJ for late reply. Listen, Visa stamping is a second level of proof to someone's status. I-94 and I-797 are more important than a stamp on passport. Typically passport stamping is done to make a person come-in and go-out with less trouble but over the time this is been shown to consulate authorities as a status proof. I am not an expert and never heard anyone having similar issues but if you at all wants to take a risk then India is the best place, schedule an appointment, consult all the authorities on the subject and hopefully you will have less problems if you can show them your wife's status with I-94, 797 and other docs. On asked about stamping, tell them she is expecting and can't travel right now.
Name: EJ
Hi San, Thank you very much for your reply to my question. Regards, EJ
Name: geetha
hi san,
please help me urgently. My husband is on H1-B visa and i came to US on H4.Our visa's are valid till sept 30 2010 and applied for extension. i am going to india in August and should i go for stamping if i stay there till sept 30? how many days before i need to come back to USA without getting my stamping done. If i want to get my stamping done is it possible with my husbands extension documents without any stamping on his passport, because he is not going out of USA? can i get my stamping done only by knowing his status or do i require stamping on his passport?
Name: San
Hi Geetha, you can practically come to US any day before your visa expires on the passport, have the photocopy of extension document handy for the immigration at the landing airport. On asked, produce the extension proof.
I also explained this to EJ above, if you need to stay in India after Sept 30 then go for the stamping and produce 797, 94 of your husband's status extension with all other docs. Take a photocopy of the husband's passport but on asked say he is yet to visit outside of US to get this stamped on his passport. Things should be easy i guess, people asked the same question never cameback to this website to clarify what happened to them. If you go for stamping after Sept 30 then please comeback and share how it went. Good luck for your visa and have a nice time in India.
Name: geetha
Thanks a lot san... i ll definitely share the information.
Name: geetha
hi san, i am actually coming back on 28th aug. so as u said only extension papers will be sufficient to enter US. but my husband employer has changed so can i come on previous employers status. will there be any problem?
Name: RESHU
HELLO MAM, I GOT MARRIED ON 6 JUNE,10. MY HUSBAND HAS H1B VISA. HE CAME TO INDIA IN OCTOBER,09 AND WENT BACK TO US ON 12 JUNE. HE WAS ON NON PAID LEAVE FOR 8 MONTHS. PLZ GUIDE ME REGARDING THE DOCUMENTS TO BE CARRIED IN RELATION TO HIS GAP OF 8 MONTHS. I HAVE ALREADY GOT GREEN PAGE OF 221(G). THEY TOLD ME TO COME AGAIN IN WORKING DAYS WITHOUT TAKING NEW APPOINTMENT. WHILE INTERVIEWING, I GOT STRUCK UP AT HIS GAP PERIOD. INDEED DEY DIDNT SPECIFIED ANY DOCUMENTS TO BE BROUGHT AGAIN. I'M VERY MUCH CONFUSED ABOUT THE DOCUMENTS TO B BROUGHT. ALSO, TELL ME THE IMPORTANCE OF GAP PERIOD DOCUMENTS.
Name: San
Geetha, if you are coming back on Aug 28 then you just need the current employer details. I am guessing that will be a new 797 and 94 of your husband's status and copy of his passport visa. To be in safer side keep the extension docs ready but i bet you will not need those. You will have to carry the current employer support letter, recent pay stubs, current employer contact details. You keep all the docs with yourself that you think can produce to authority on asked, if not all at least the ones that i mentioned above.
Name: San
Hi Reshu, I am not a girl. However that is a genuine question for anyone who goes out of the country for more than 3 months. Your husband remained out of US for 8 months and there should be a valid reason to that. Produce the reason with facts attached and they will let you in as they did to your husband. I think you have already his status proofs in terms of documents. From your explanation here it seems like officers are having less problem with the current status, rather they want to know why someone stayed away with no payment for such a long time. Explain them. Good luck!!!
Name: Monty
Hi, I am from India and my fiancee is from brazil but she is working in U.S for last three years and we are together almost 2 years now. we had ring ceremony party in India on july and we are going to marry in Brazil in September. her employer have already applied for her green card and two phases of green card process have been completed. I am planning to apply for my h4 in October then she will put me under green card process. What do you think about my case? any suggestion will be helpful.
Name: San
Hi Monty, Your plan looks fine to me. Good luck for marriage and your visa.
Name: HV
Hi, I am from India, currently working in post graduate work permit in Toronto, Canada after completing Masters in Waterloo in April 2010. My husband is a Canadian citizen, working in US and we got married in sep 2009 in India, that time he was in TN visa and I stayed in US in TD visa till Dec 2009. Came back to Canada to complete my Masters. My husband is currently in H1b visa status in US. So I have now booked for an H4 visa appointment in Toronto consulate. It would be of great help if you can let me know the documents needed for h4 visa in Toronto consulate?
Name: San
Hi HV, documents should be same as mentioned above. Chances of getting the visa can be easier when you are going certain embassies but document for H4 will be same i believe. It is better to have all the documents handy though. Good luck!!!
Name: HV
Hi San, Thank you very much. Will it be a problem if we do not have bank statements, but having 2 recent pay stubs.
Name: San
Hi HV, probably it will work. It is not needed to take a statement from the bank or get it stamped from the banker. If your husband has a bank account then you can go to the online account and take a print of last 30-60 days transaction with latest balance.
Name: HV
Oh fine.. Thanks a lot San.
Name: Rimpy
Hi San,
First of all, thank you so much for helping lot of people for their Visa's questions. Your work is appreciable.
My case is similar to geetha. My wife is in India and her visa is expiring on 13 Sept 2010. My question is regarding taking appointment from US embassy. Can she schedule appointment date before Sept 13 i.e before expiring the Visa OR she can take date and interview after visa expiration?
Name: San
Hi Rimpy,
Thank you for visiting my blog and will try to answer all with my best of the knowledge. I read it somewhere, it is okay to apply for visa stamping before 30 days of expiration. To be in safer side call the embassy or write them. They will answer you really fast. Good Luck
Name: Manoha
Hi San,
I got tourist visa for Brazil and I am planning to go there and get married in September. Do I need a proof/certificate for my single status? if yes then how can i get it? thanks
Name: San
Hi Manoha, why you need a prove of your single status. By default the status of a person is single and it is always needed to prove with a certificate if you are married. Sorry to say, i am hearing for the first time about this. If anyone claims that you are married then he/she will have to prove with the certificate so you are good and single as of now. Get the certificate when you get married. You will need it. Good luck Manoha, have a cake on my behalf. Comeback and share it goes.
Name: Swathi
Hi, Am Swathi. getting Married in December. my fiancee is on H1-B working in USA. His Visa Expires in Jan 2011. He got his Visa Renewed with current employer. He has not yet gone for visa stamping. After the next day of Marriage, Can we both schedule appointment same time for His H-1b Stamping and My H4 Approval. What are the chances of rejection?
Name: San
Hi Swathi, It is better for you both to go together and get it done at once, if you go together then you will find less questions for you from the interviewer. Going together will not increase or decrease the chances of getting the visa stamped. The chances are more related to the documents, better take all the support documents and remain ready for the questions. Good luck for the marriage and Visa interview. Comeback and let me know how it goes.
Name: Senthil
I am now in US and I am married. My wife is in India and has to stamp the H-4 visa. Do i need to send my Original H1 Approval Notice and latest Pay stubs? Each sites has different answer, could you please let me know. waiting to send my documents
Name: San
Hi Senthil, I don't know what others say about it but i gave scanned copies of my documents to my wife for her H4 visa. She had non of my original docs.
Name: Senthil
Thanks San, Problem is Validity of my Visa in the Passport got expired. If the send the photo copy will there be any issue?
Name: San
Senthil, this is a tough call. No one here ever came back and informed us what they really did where the spouse's visa expired on passport. I always debated saying that passport is something that is needed for you and it is just an extra doc for your wife, she will more depend on your I94 and 797. Anyway, if you can make your originals handed over to your wife safely then send her those. Make a photocopy of the docs before sending them to her. Good luck.
Name: Swathi
@San, Thanks a lot San. I will let you know once i am done with Visa interview in December.
Name: Senthil
Hi San, In DS-160 form, Surname is mandatory but my wife passport does not have surname. I filled "NA" in surname will that be a problem?
Name: San
@Senthil, I would do the same. Just make sure the visa on the passport doesn't say the surname as "NA".