Need Help!!

[dogmatix00]

A question for Great Guru

Hi,

I am on an F1 visa (on my OPT)- my grace period ends on the 4/3/05. My husband is on an H1 visa. I have applied for a doctoral program and will get a new I-20 in a month or 2. Just to be on the safe side, I am planning to change my status to H4 and then back to F1. My question is, is that risky? Can I do it all without travelling out of the U.S.? Are there any complications involved?
Thanks

 

[great guru]

Hi,

I am on an F1 visa (on my OPT)- my grace period ends on the 4/3/05. My husband is on an H1 visa. I have applied for a doctoral program and will get a new I-20 in a month or 2. Just to be on the safe side, I am planning to change my status to H4 and then back to F1. My question is, is that risky? Can I do it all without travelling out of the U.S.? Are there any complications involved?
Thanks

if it is matter of month or two wait until March 15, still no I 20 go for H4, usually takes 3 to 4 months min. By the time you get I 20 ask your attorney to withdraw the H4 so that you will not go out of status. There is no harm in switching back and forth f1 /H4.

 

[dogmatix00]

A question for Great Guru

Thanks a lot for the advice! So after I get my I-20, if I withdraw the application for change of status to H4, don't I go out of status for a while?
If I don't , do I have to change back to an F1 status (or am I automatically in F1 status coz my H4 application was stopped?) I know I sound clueless but I do feel utterly clueless!!!

 

[dogmatix00]

OK I spoke to the international center at my previous university and the way I understand it is that if I apply for a change of status to H4, once I decide on my university I can apply for an F1 and once it is approved, I can withdraw the applicaion for the H4. Is that correct? I HAVE to apply for an F1 again, right?
I do hope someone can answer my questions!