H4 to F1 conversion question

[keys80]

Hi,
We are considering converting my wife's visa status from H4 to F1. She is going to be starting grad school from Fall 2006.
1. If we apply for change of status now, how many months approx will it take to convert to F1? We reside in California.

2. Once her F1 is approved, how many months would she have to wait before she can apply for CPT? Does it have to be 2 semesters on F1 before one can get CPT? If the F1 is approved during a semester, does that semester count?

3. My LC was filed in Feb 2005, Is it a problem in the future GC process if she is on F1?
When i have to add my spouse's name to my GC appln (i guess at the 485 stage), if she is on F1 that time.. is that an issue?

Will appreciate any info on the above.

Thanks in advance!

 

[great guru]

Hi,
We are considering converting my wife's visa status from H4 to F1. She is going to be starting grad school from Fall 2006.
1. If we apply for change of status now, how many months approx will it take to convert to F1? We reside in California. 4 - 20 weeks for CSC
2. Once her F1 is approved, how many months would she have to wait before she can apply for CPT? Does it have to be 2 semesters on F1 before one can get CPT? If the F1 is approved during a semester, does that semester count?
usually 12 months. Depends on the course, check with international office of the school
3. My LC was filed in Feb 2005, Is it a problem in the future GC process if she is on F1? NO, not at all.When i have to add my spouse's name to my GC appln (i guess at the 485 stage), if she is on F1 that time.. is that an issue? No
Only issue is , if she go out of USA, with F1 having GC in process she may not get her F1 stamped and her entry to US may be denied.

Will appreciate any info on the above.

Thanks in advance!

 

[lfgc]

Hi,
We are considering converting my wife's visa status from H4 to F1. She is going to be starting grad school from Fall 2006.
1. If we apply for change of status now, how many months approx will it take to convert to F1? We reside in California.

2. Once her F1 is approved, how many months would she have to wait before she can apply for CPT? Does it have to be 2 semesters on F1 before one can get CPT? If the F1 is approved during a semester, does that semester count?

3. My LC was filed in Feb 2005, Is it a problem in the future GC process if she is on F1?
When i have to add my spouse's name to my GC appln (i guess at the 485 stage), if she is on F1 that time.. is that an issue?

Will appreciate any info on the above.

Thanks in advance!

Lil info that I have is...when filing I-485...I think you'll need to have a COS to H4 & then file 485....the idea is to show her as dependant.

Besides this have a question:
How long is CPT valid?
Now, my wife is on H4 & we are planning to file COS to F1 in June...expecting to receive it back by Aug-end. She will have only 12 credit hours(3 courses) left afte this spring quarter. The international office of the school informed us that she can get only 1 quarter of CPT...i.e. Fall-2006 & then she'll have to take the balance credits in Winter-07 quarter.
I thought that CPT is issued for 11 mnths...
any insight into this will be appreciated.
Thx & rgds.