H4 to F1 Student
Vinii’s H4 to F1 Visa was denied twice in the same month!
She’s posting her experience and asking our community’s help to help her with the following
- Possible reasons for H4 to F1 Visa Rejection
- Chances of Approval in 3rd attempt
H4 to F1 Visa Conversion – First Interview
- Visa Interview Date: Aug 8
- US Consulate: Hyderabad Consulate (first attempt after H4 visa)
- Status: Rejected
H4 to F1 Visa Interview Questions:
VO looks to be around mid 30’s and she’s in a hurry (or that’s what I thought so).
Me: Good morning Officer
VO: Pass your Passport
Me: Sure, (gave her my Passport)
VO: How many universities did you apply?
Me: I applied to two universities, Governer State University, and Trine University. I was looking into Bradley University as well.
VO: Where are you studying now?
Me: Trine University main campus, located in Angola, Indiana. However, they are having another campus in the South Bend which is an hour and 30 minutes drive from my place. I attend classes in South Bend, Indiana.
VO: How many classes per week?
Me: 2 per week
VO: How many classes per semester?
Me: 30 per semester
VO: How many classes per week? (again)
Me: 2 per week. I completed two semesters with good grades.
VO: Can I see you recent transcripts?
Me: My apology officer, I am not carrying them. It’s in my university portal
VO: You don’t meet F1 Visa regulations and Visa is Denied (she gave me 214b form)
Me: Thank You Officer (Sad).
H4 to F1 Visa Interview – Second Attempt
Visa Interview Date: Aug 16
US Consulate: Kolkata Consulate (Second attempt)
Status: Rejected
H4 to F1 Visa Interview Questions:
VO is early 30’s. (woman)
Me: Good morning Officer
VO: Good morning. Pass you are documents
Me: Sure, (gave her)
VO: Any changes compare to the previous interview
Me: No, Last time I forgot my transcript. I am carrying the official transcript now.
VO: So, you are on H4?
Me: Yes officer.
VO: Do you have any relatives in the USA?
Me: Yes, My brother is live in Atlanta.
VO: What is the purpose of this visit to India?
Me: I am having a family function.
VO: Is your husband traveling with you?
Me: No, he couldn’t make it.
VO: Why you need to convert from H4 to F1 Visa?
Me: My university is offering a research program in my favorite subject, Big Data. To be a part of it I need to be on F1 visa. She was looking at me and listening to me.
VO: Is that an academic program.
Me: No, my professor suggested me. As it is my favorite subject.
She went inside and came back in 1-2 mins
VO: Do you need F1 Visa for CPT?
Me: No, This is for a research program which my professor suggested me. And the VO started typing.
VO: Sorry your visa got rejected. you can proceed on H4 and reply later (Gave me 214b form)
Me: Thank you Officer (sad).
Please suggest me why my visa is getting denied. I can’t seem to figure out the reasons. I am planning to go for F1 visa interview again on Jan 2019 in India.
The Keys for F1 Visa Approval
Pay close attention to the following F1 Visa Approval Venn diagram.
Now, let’s apply the answers you have given to the above sections.
VO: How many classes per week? (again)
Me: 2 per week. I completed two semesters with good grades.
You could have mentioned the actual grades ( like, I have completed two semesters with a GPA of 4.0). So, there was a lack of depth in the answers. (#1)
VO: Can I see you recent transcripts?
Me: My apology officer, I am not carrying them. It’s in my university portal
How could you appear for F1 Visa interview without your transcripts?
That’s lack of Preparation (#2).
VO: Why you need to convert from H4 to F1 Visa?
Me: My university is offering a research program in my favorite subject, Big Data. To be a part of it I need to be on F1 visa. She was looking at me and listening to me.VO: Do you need F1 Visa for CPT?
Me: No, This is for a research program which my professor suggested me. And the VO started typing.
The second answer (my professor suggested me), for me kind of sounds weak.
You could have done much better here with the answers.
This fall under the depth of your answers and as well as the overall picture you are painting about you. (#2)
F1 Visa Interviews are not a Rocket Science.
Student’s tend to complicate the interview process. And it starts with how you are preparing and what you are using as a reference for preparation.
In your second interview, visa office asked, if you need F1 Visa for CPT!
Now, think about that for a minute.
Why would they have to ask you that?
Does it sound a positive or a negative question?
Let me give an anecdote.
Every day, this 5th grader comes home without finishing his lunch.
One fine day, the kid’s lunch box was empty. But, there’s something wrong with the kid’s look and body language. So, his mom wants to know what happened. Did he really finish the lunch?
She has two way to ask her son about the empty lunch box.
Nice Way: “Is there something you like to tell me about your empty lunch box?”
Direct Way: “Did you throw away the food in the trash?”
Now, compare the two questions from the Visa Officer in the second interview.
VO: “Why you need to convert from H4 to F1 Visa?”
VO: “Do you need F1 Visa for CPT?”
Now, you can do the comparison and decide why the visa officer asked a direct question.
I think you know the reason why your H4 to F1 visa was denied twice in the same month.
Please don’t take the H4 to F1 Visa interview for granted.
Just like the kid’s mom was able to figure out something’s not right, Visa officer could figure things out. That’s what they are trained to do.
H4 to F1 Option 1: Exit the country and re-enter
A. Get admission to a college/university if you do not already have one.
B. Get the I-20 for the F-1 Status for a future enrollment date.
C. Exit the U.S. at a convenient time (typically Summer during the university holiday)
D. Apply for the F-1 visa at an embassy/consulate in the country you have a passport for( home country) or a country you have a residence in if not the original passport country. This should be no more than 150 days (5 months) before the Start Date of your I-20.
E. Return to the U.S. no more than 30 days before your I-20 start date.
F. Follow your Unversity policies on F-1 status.
H4 to F1 Option 2: Change of status in the Country
This should be done 12-18 months before you turn 21 when your H4 status will expire. If not, see Option 1 A. Get admission to a college/university if you do not already have one.
B. Inform the school you need a “Change of Status I-20” not an initial I-20. Let the school know you are in H4 status and converting to F-1 Get the I-20 for the F-1 Status for a future enrollment date. (Typically 6-9 months into the future roughly aligning with the next start date around that time)
C. File your I-539 Change of Status Paperwork following the instructions and submit the required documentation:
Copy of I-20 from the University
Acceptance letter from the College/University granting you the admission or a letter of current enrollment
Copy of Sevis fee receipt. Currently, the Sevis fee is $350 and it can be paid online once you have the I-20
Copy of most recent I-94
Copy of your passport – with your biographical information and copies of visa stamps
Copy of all prior I-797A if you had filed any H4 visa extensions
Proof of funds to cover tuition and expenses. Include your H1B holder’s bank statements for the last 3-6 months. The bank balance should be more than the amount mentioned on I-20 under the finances section. You should have already submitted this as part of the I-20 request with the college/university.
Cover letter explaining why you are applying for the change of status from H4 to F1 and proof of ties to your home country. (Basically, why you won’t stay in the U.S. when your F-1 ends, and that you have plans to leave the U.S.)
Most recent I-94 for your H1B holder
Cover letter from the financial sponsor of your education (Typically a parent or spouse for H4)
D. Wait 6-9 months for it to be processed and approved (as of late 2020)
Some things that will vary with your state and school policies.
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Instate tuition or international student fees
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Requirments for F-1 students vs. H4 visa holders (could include additional fees or insurance requirements that meet immigration requirements and that your current insurance likely does not cover.)
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Enrollment requirements
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Driver’s License requirements
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Housing Requirments (on-campus/off-campus)
