H4 Visa for Dependents.
The H4 visa is issued to the dependent family members of an H1B visa holder (spouse and children under 21 years) who want to join the H1B visa holder in the United States.
How Can I Get the H4 Visa?
You need to take the following steps when applying for H4 visa:
Apply online
You will need to fill Form DS-160 online. When you start your H4 visa application, you will get the DS-160 barcode. You need to keep the barcode confirmation page, print it, and bring it with you when you have your interview.
Pay the applicable H4 visa fees
H4 visa fees are the same as other H type visas. Currently, the application fee for this visa is $190. Pay the fee and save the receipt, as you will need it later during your application procedures.
Schedule a visa interview appointment
As soon as you file the DS-160 form, schedule an interview appointment with the US Embassy from which you are applying for the H4 visa. The sooner you schedule your interview, the faster will you complete the wholeH4 visa application. When you schedule your interview, you will get a letter of confirmation, which you need to save for later.
Compile the H4 visa document file
You must provide the following documents to apply for the H4 visa:
- Filled DS-160 application form.
- Your valid passport with at least one blank page.
- Two US visa photographs.
- Receipt proving payment of $190 for a nonimmigrant US visa application.
- Photocopy of the primary H visa holder visa.
- Photocopy of your spouse’s/parent’s I-129 form, I-797 form, and the Labor Certification Application (LCA).
- A copy of your spouse’s/parent’s passport with a clear, identifiable photo.
- Your spouse’s/parent’s letter of employment in the US.
- Copies of your spouse’s/parent’s letters of previous work experience.
- Recent pay stubs and tax filing information, if your spouse/parent is already working in the US.
- If you are the child of the H type visa holder, submit the original birth certificate.
- Marriage certificate. Since many applicants try to fake being married to each other, you have to prove that you have married according to your country’s wedding tradition or at the wedding registrar. You can do that through submitting this proof:
- Wedding photographs where you and your spouse are clearly seen in the pictures and DVDs.
- Wedding invitations.
- List of wedding guests.
- Receipts for payments of wedding expenses.
- Booking receipts of your honeymoon or other post-marriage trips.
- If married only at the wedding registrar, you need to have these:
- Copy of your signed wedding registrar affidavit.
- Pictures of you and your spouse signing the marriage certificate.
- Pictures of your witnesses and whoever was conducting the ceremony.
