The H-4 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa for spouses and children of individuals holding an H-1B Visa. The H1B Visa is a nonimmigrant visa given to foreign professionals hired by employers to work in the United States. The H4 Visa allows the spouse and children of the H1B Visa holder to stay in the US for the duration of the H1-B status validity.
The H-4 Visa process starts with an online application and payment of the visa fee. The H4 Visa applicants need to attend an interview and bring the required documents to a US embassy or consulate.
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What is an H-4 Visa?
The H-4 Visa is a provisional nonimmigrant visa category for spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 (dependents) of H-1B visa holders. The H1B Visa is a temporary nonimmigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers. The H4 Visa allows the holder to stay in the US as long as the H-1B Visa holder’s status is valid.
How Does an H-4 Visa work?
The H4 Visa allows an individual with an H1-B visa to bring their family to the United States. The H-4 Visa process includes an interview where both the spouse and the children will be asked a series of questions regarding the application. There are required documents for submission to support the H-4 Visa application.
What are the Benefits of the H-4 Visa?
Applying for an H4 Visa allows the holder to enjoy these 3 benefits.
- Reside and study in the U.S.
- Work in the U.S. if your spouse is an H-1B holder. You need to have a valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to legally work under an H-4 Visa.
- Pursue permanent residency (green card). Permanent residency (green card) allows an H4 Visa holder to work and live in the U.S. permanently.
What are the Risks of the H-4 Visa?
These are the 3 risks that every H4 Visa applicant must be aware of.
- Inability to get legal US employment without an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
- Ineligible to qualify for in-state tuition funding for one after your arrival to the US.
- Inability to participate in Optional Practical Training (OPT). Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows foreign students to gain work experience in their field of study during or after the completion of their degree.
How Much Does an H-4 Visa Cost?
The cost of an H-4 Visa is $190. The H4 Visa fee must be paid prior to scheduling an interview for the visa. The H4 Visa fee can be paid over the counter, at a bank, and electronically through mobile payment or bank transfer. Keep the receipt of your H-4 Visa payment for your visa interview.
How to Apply for an H-4 Visa?
There are 6 steps in applying for an H4 Visa.
- Fill out the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160). You will receive the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160) barcode once you begin the H4 Visa process. Print out and bring the barcode confirmation sheet to your interview.
- Pay the H4 Visa fee. The H-4 visa fee is $190. Save the receipt and present it during the visa interview.
- Schedule an interview with the U.S. Embassy. Get an appointment for a visa interview after submitting Form DS-160.
- Gather the documents for the H-4 Visa. Present the required documents during your interview.
- Show up on your interview date. The legitimacy of your relationship with the H1B Visa holder will be evaluated.
- Claim your visa. Enter your application number on the US Embassy website where you applied to check the status of your application. The embassy will notify you once your H4 Visa has been processed. Complete the stamping process after receiving your H4 visa. The visa stamping is the final step before you can arrange your trip to the United States.
How Long is the Process of H-4 Visa?
The processing time for an H-4 Visa varies depending on the backlog of cases at the U.S. embassy or consulate where you scheduled your interview. It will take a few weeks for the embassy to mail you your passport and H4 Visa after approval of your application. Visit the website of the US State Department to check the processing time of the consulate in your home country. Search for the consulate city and view the “All Other Nonimmigrant Visas” wait time.
What are the Requirements for an H-4 Visa?
This is the document checklist for the H-4 Visa application.
- A fully filled out DS-160 form.
- A valid passport with at least one blank page.
- Two US visa photos.
- Payment receipt for a nonimmigrant US visa application.
- Photocopy of the visa of the H-1B spouse or parent.
- Photocopy of your spouse’s or parent’s Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (Form I-129), Notice of Action (Form I-797), and Labor Certification Application (LCA).
- Photocopy of the passport of your spouse or parent with a clear, identifiable photograph.
- The H-1B Visa holder’s letter of U.S. employment.
- Copies of letters of previous work experiences of the H1B Visa holder.
- Current tax filing information and pay stubs if your spouse/parent is already working in the US.
- Photocopy of your original birth certificate if you are the child of an H1B Visa holder.
- Copy of your marriage certificate and additional documents to prove that you are legally married according to your home country’s traditions.
- Wedding photographs with clear and identifiable photos of yourself and your spouse.
- Wedding invitations.
- Wedding guests list.
- Receipts for payments of wedding expenses.
- Honeymoon booking receipts or other trips after marriage.
- The following documents are required if you are married in a civil ceremony or by a wedding registrar.
- Photocopy of your signed wedding registry affidavit.
- Photos of you and your spouse signing the marriage certificate.
- Photos of your witnesses and the officiator of the ceremony.
What are the Interview Questions for the H-4 Visa?
The immigration officer will ask you questions about yourself, your relationship to the H1B Visa holder, and the H4 Visa. These are 5 examples of H4 Visa Interview Questions and Answers.
- Why do you need an H4 Visa?
You require an H4 Visa in order to accompany your H-1B Visa-holding spouse or parent to the United States. - What plans do you have for your time in the United States?
The immigration officer wants to know what you intend to do throughout your stay in the United States. - Do you intend to obtain employment in the United States?
You should answer ‘No” because an H4 visa holder will be financially dependent on the H1B Visa holder. - What day did you get married?
Include the precise date, month, and year of your wedding. - What is the address of the company where your spouse is employed?
Mention the location of the US company where your spouse is employed at present.
What are the Countries that Can Apply for an H-4 Visa?
Canadian citizens do not need to apply for the H4 Visa at a US embassy or consulate. Canadian citizens can directly apply for H-4 status at a U.S. port of entry. Citizens of all other countries are required to apply for an H4 Visa at a US embassy or consulate.
What are the Differences Between the H-4 Visa and the EB-5 Visa?
The following are the differences between the H-4 Visa and the EB-5 Visa.
H-4 Visa
- The H-4 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued to spouses or children under 21 years of age of the H1B visa holder.
- The H4 Visa holder cannot work in the United States without an EAD.
- The requirements for an H-4 Visa are directly related to his/her relationship with the H-1B Visa holder.
EB-5 Visa
- The EB5 Visa is an immigrant investor visa that requires the applicant to invest a minimum amount in a new US business.
- The EB-5 investor can work and live in the US while waiting for the approval of his/her green card.
- The primary requirement for an EB-5 Visa is an investment that creates 10 full-time jobs for American citizens.
What Are the Differences Between the H-4 Visa and the H1-B Visa?
These are the differences between an H-4 Visa and an H1-B Visa.
H-4 Visa
- The H-4 Visa is granted to the dependents of an H-1B Visa holder allowing them entry to the US.
- Holders of the H4 visa are dependent on the H1-B holder. H-4 Visa holders are not allowed to get a job in the U.S without an EAD.
- H-4 Visa holders can remain in the U.S. as long as the related H1B Visa status is valid.
H1-B Visa
- The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant work visa granted to foreign workers hired by U..S employers for specialty occupations that require a bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent.
- The H1B Visa needs to be sponsored by an employer to allow a foreign professional to work in the US.
- The H1-B Visa is good for three years and can be extended for up to six years.
Our H1-B Visa guide gives you full information about the processing and requirements for an H-1B Visa application.
How Long Can I Stay in the US with an H4 Visa?
The length of stay in the United States with an H4 visa depends on the validity of the H1-B visa. The H1B Visa is valid for 3 years and can be extended to 6 years.
Can I Work on an H4 Visa?
Yes, you can work in the US with an H4 Visa. You need to submit the Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) to get an EAD. The EAD permits you to work legally in the US. You can continue to work in the U.S. provided that you are the principal beneficiary of the H1B Visa holder with a valid H-1B status.
Does H4 Visa Need Stamping?
Yes, the process for the H4 Visa requires that you have it stamped. The visa stamping is the final step before you can travel to the United States. You can have your H-4 Visa stamped once the U.S. Embassy approves your application.
Can an Immigration Lawyer Speed Up the Process of the H-4 Visa?
No, an immigration lawyer cannot speed up the processing of an H-4 Visa. An Immigration Lawyer (Attorney) helps by preventing mistakes and delays during your H4 Visa application.