H4 Visa Status

Family members of the H-1B worker are admitted to the United States in the H-4 category. Qualifying family members include only the spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old. Family members are admitted for the same period for which the principal family member is admitted.

Family members may alternatively be admitted in other non immigrant categories for which they qualify, such as the F-1 category for children or spouses who will be students or the H-1B category for a spouse whose employer has also obtained approval of an H-1B petition to employ the spouse. 

H-4 family members may undertake studies while remaining in the H-4 category. Family members cannot engage in any form of employment in the H-4 category, however. In order to work, family members must obtain USCIS permission through the approval of a change of status application to a non immigrant category permitting employment. 

Mandatory documents: 
* Passport 
* One photograph 
* Confirmation page of online submitted Form DS-160 with CEAC bar code. 
* Visa Fees Fees to be paid in advance at participating HDFC bank before taking an appointment. 
* Original Interview appointment letter and one copy. 
* Original Form I-129 and one copy of the principal visa applicant. 
* Letter from employer that describes the relationship with the Principal Applicant and the purpose of travel. * Photocopy of the Principal Applicant's valid visa (if applying separately). 
* Original marriage certificate for spouse along with entire wedding photo album. Make sure that the groom and the bride are easily identified in the photographs. It is important to have the specific photographs showing important parts of the marriage ceremony. e.g., for Hindu marriage, putting sindoor in bride's "maang", putting "mangalsutra" around bride's neck, rounds around the fire etc. 
* Original birth certificate for each child. 
* Wedding invitation card. 
* All 36 pages of the principal applicant's passport (if not applying with principal applicant). If a copy of the passport is submitted, it should be a GOOD copy and the photo must be clearly identifiable.
* Copy of the principal applicant's work experience letters.
* Pay stubs from principal applicant's current place of work and income tax return. 
* If your spouse is currently working in the U.S. on an H1-B visa, please submit the pay slips for the current calendar year and federal tax returns (IRS Form 1040 and W-2s) for all the years in which he/she has been employed in the U.S. on the H-1B visa. Submit the primary applicant's last 6 months bank statements as well. 

The consulate will not accept documents received directly from the company by mail or fax. The applicant should bring all documents to the interview. The Consulate will not make this information available to anyone and will destroy the documents after review.