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.
Here are few expected questions that an interviewer might ask during the interview
What type/kind of visa are you applying for? 
- I am applying for H4 visa.
When did your husband get his stamping? 
- My husband got his stamping in 2006 Oct.
Why do you need a visa to USA? 
- I want to live with my husband.
If you didn’t go for the H4 interview with your spouses’ H1B visa appt: Why did you not come with your husband for the interview? 
- He is been working in US for last 3 years and I just got married last dec.
If going after spouse has left to USA: Why did you not leave with your spouse or why are you coming today for visa when you got married on so and so date? 
- He had very few days towards his vacation after the marriage which was not sufficient to process my visa. He needed to go US to get me few of the documents as he wasn’t caring that here.
Who filed the visa application and where did you file it? 
- I filed the application with help of my husband. I filed it online.
Who made the interview appointment? 
- I made the appointment.
How did you receive the documents? 
- Downloaded few docs from the web site and received rest by email from my spouse.
When did you get married or what is your date of marriage? 
- Dec 12th 2008
Did you have an arranged or love marriage? 
- I had an arranged marriage.
When did you meet your spouse for the first time? 
- In his last trip to India, Nov 24th 2008.
How did you meet your spouse? 
- At my home when he came to visit me.
Who arranged this marriage or how did you get this proposal? 
- My parents arranged this marriage.
Where did you get married? 
- I got married in my home town.
Is your marriage registered? 
- Yes sir/mam.
Can I see some wedding photographs? 
- Absolutely, here are some of the snaps that I got printed. 
Where are you staying currently? 
- With my in-laws. 
Who are you staying with? 
- With my husband’s parents. 
Where will you stay in USA? 
- Remember the address of the H1B holder’s address.
Who will bear the expenses while you are in USA or who will financially support you in the US? 
- My husband, San.
Who will pay for your trip to the US? 
- My Husband, San.
Do any of your relatives/friends live in USA? 
- No sir/mam.
What is your spouse’s date of birth? 
- Jul 4th 1978.
Which university did your spouse graduate from? 
- Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago.
What is your spouse’s highest degree? 
- Masters in Computer Engineering.
Which company does your spouse work for? 
Who is sponsoring in your husband’s H1B? 
- Gaebler Ventures LLC
Where is his employer located? 
- Chicago
Where are his clients located? 
- All over the World (US, Canada, Europe, China, India)
What kind of work does your spouse do at the USA Company? 
- He is a senior programmer.
How long has your spouse been in USA? 
- It’s more than 5 years from now.
How long has your spouse been working for the sponsoring company? 
- More than 3 years. 
What will you do after your visa is completed/expired? 
- I will come back to India.
How much he is earning or what is the pay of your spouse or what is the annual income of your spouse?
- ##,###.00 USD per Annum. 
Can I see some pay stubs from your spouse’s paycheck? 
- Yes, sure sir/mam.
Can I have a look at your spouse’s bank statements? 
- Here you go sir/mam.
Have your spouse applied for green card? 
- Not yet.
Does your husband have any relatives in US? 
- No Sir/Mam.
What is your husband’s age? 
- 30 years old.
What is your age? 
- I am 22 years old.
Are you traveling alone? 
- Yes sir.
Have you ever called your husband?
- Many times.
What is his number? 
- ###-###-####
When did your husband call the last time? 
- Right before coming for the interview.
How many times does he call? 
- 2-3 times a day.
What is your mother-in-law’s name? 
- Santilata Nayak
What is your father-in-law’s name? 
- Rajendra Nayak
What are his timings at his current job? 
- 9AM to 5PM
What is your full maiden name? 
- Pragyan Suravi
What is your husband’s full name? 
- San Nayak
What is your name? 
How many members were present for your marriage? 
- My side around 1000 and his side around 300-400.
Are you wearing the same wedding necklace? 
- Yes sir, rests are kept in the locker.

 

Here are some of the questions that were asked to my wife during the interview

 

1. Is it a love or arranged marriage?
2. What company your husband is working for?
3. Where is your husband living in US?
4. Show the pictures of him with you from the marriage time.
5. How many in-laws, are they married, where are they, are they in US, show their snaps, what they wear?
6. Show some snaps with your father and mother in-law.

 

Tips

 

- Check your all the documents before starting your journey.
- Answer all questions slowly and clearly during the interview. 
- Check your passport for correct name, date of birth, type of visa, validity date, etc after receiving a visa. 

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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29 Responses to “H4 Visa Requirements and Checklist for Spouse”

  1. Gaurav Says:
    September 30th, 2009 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

  2. Hong Says:
    October 19th, 2009 at 4:53 pm

    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 =)

  3. Anil Says:
    October 20th, 2009 at 12:10 pm

    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

  4. priya Says:
    October 24th, 2009 at 12:05 am

    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

  5. Revant Says:
    October 25th, 2009 at 3:26 pm

    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

  6. priya Says:
    November 11th, 2009 at 5:48 am

    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.

  7. San Nayak Says:
    November 13th, 2009 at 1:45 pm

    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.

  8. Yan Niepa Says:
    November 29th, 2009 at 9:38 am

    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.

  9. Kamal Says:
    December 18th, 2009 at 6:26 pm

    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.

  10. Radha Says:
    December 18th, 2009 at 6:33 pm

    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.

  11. San Nayak Says:
    December 19th, 2009 at 9:40 am

    @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.

  12. Devi Says:
    December 31st, 2009 at 12:44 am

    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.

  13. Biraj Says:
    January 4th, 2010 at 4:51 pm

    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 ?

  14. dave Says:
    January 6th, 2010 at 3:03 pm

    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

  15. San Nayak Says:
    January 11th, 2010 at 1:24 pm

    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.

  16. Supreetha Says:
    January 26th, 2010 at 11:34 am

    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

  17. San Nayak Says:
    January 26th, 2010 at 4:17 pm

    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.

  18. Salve Says:
    February 7th, 2010 at 3:44 am

    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.

  19. San Nayak Says:
    February 10th, 2010 at 12:34 pm

    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!!

  20. v Says:
    February 19th, 2010 at 12:06 am

    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.

  21. San Nayak Says:
    February 19th, 2010 at 3:52 pm

    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!!

  22. Sachin Says:
    February 19th, 2010 at 7:01 pm

    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.

  23. San Nayak Says:
    February 22nd, 2010 at 1:21 pm

    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!!

  24. Sonia Says:
    March 8th, 2010 at 9:31 am

    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 !

  25. San Nayak Says:
    March 8th, 2010 at 2:44 pm

    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.

    San

  26. Rinku Says:
    March 9th, 2010 at 8:11 am

    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.

  27. Sonia Says:
    March 9th, 2010 at 1:30 pm

    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.

  28. San Nayak Says:
    March 9th, 2010 at 2:48 pm

    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.

  29. Rinku Says:
    March 10th, 2010 at 7:58 am

    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.

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