H4 (dependent) visa or Greencard first?

World International

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Hi all!

I just need some help here. My boyfriend and I are planning to get married next year. He is currently in the US working as a medtech holding an H1-B temporary visa. Would it be better for me to go to the US via H4 visa and look for a job there? or I'm better off to just wait for an employer and eventually a greencard, then go to the US. I'll still be able to get a change of status from H4 to Greencard in the US, right? If so, how would this affect my bf's status? Thanks for your response!

Jen

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Hi all!

I just need some help here. My boyfriend and I are planning to get married next year. He is currently in the US working as a medtech holding an H1-B temporary visa. Would it be better for me to go to the US via H4 visa and look for a job there? or I'm better off to just wait for an employer and eventually a greencard, then go to the US. I'll still be able to get a change of status from H4 to Greencard in the US, right? If so, how would this affect my bf's status? Thanks for your response!

Jen

this really needs to be in the International forum.

As a H4 you can not work and currently retrogression is in situ and no one knows how long it will persist so therefore no visa to adjust. It is possible to start the process now by meeting all requirements and finding an employer and as long as you are married before NVC request your DS230 you bf/hubby will be processed for GC at the same time. I suggest a good read in the International forum especially threads on retrogression and Primer to working in the US. There are also a few threads for people out there on H4 so may be worth doing a search using the search facility in the forum.

:welcome:

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Thanks for the info! My plan regarding the H4 Visa is only for the sole reason of getting into the US as early as possible. Then, find a job and eventually have a change of status. But like what you've said, retrogression is in place. So, it won't do me any good? Thanks!

Jen

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Thanks for the info! My plan regarding the H4 Visa is only for the sole reason of getting into the US as early as possible. Then, find a job and eventually have a change of status. But like what you've said, retrogression is in place. So, it won't do me any good? Thanks!

Jen

it won't do you any good. Best thing to do is start the process now and go through consular processing. No one knows at the moment how long retrogression will last but regardless where you live there are no visas to adjust

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If there are no visas available, the H4 will not benefit you in anyway. You will be able to attend school with it, volunteer work, but no working in any capacity of any type. You do not get a SSN# with the H-4 visa either.

Things will not get done any faster with you in the US if there are no visas available for you to adjust to.

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Thanks guys! I'll just keep my fingers crossed and wait for the retrogression to end.

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hi i'm a registered nurse in the philippines. my husband is on his way of getting an h1 visa since he is a teacher. that gives me an h4 visa. my concern is how will i get a job there? what are my options? i have yet to wait for my eligibility for NM, i just wanna see other options.

a friend of mine told me about H1C visa however, with all the bad feedbacks - i am going to reconsider.

please help. we will soon be based in baltimore city.

any suggestions on your end will be greatly appreciated.

thanks

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