Q: F1 to H4 Change of Status
I am currently on my F1 STEM OPT visa and planning to apply for H4 COS with a future start date.
After I get my H 4 approval can I travel outside the country and come back on F1 status before my H4 start date?
Since I will be entering back as an F1 student , Would it cause any issues at port of entry as F1's intent is different from H4 intent.
Please advise
A: If you exit the US, the COS to H4 will be abandoned. If you enter back on F1 visa, your status will be F1 and will need to submit another COS to H4. What you can do if you exit is apply for an H4 visa stamp
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A:
When applying for a Change of Status (COS) from F1 to H4, you need to be careful about traveling internationally. Once your H4 is approved with a future start date, you can technically travel and return on your current F1 visa. However, there are potential complications.
At the port of entry, the immigration officer will assess your intent based on your current F1 status. Since F1 is for students and H4 is for dependents, the difference in intent could raise questions. You must be prepared to explain that you're maintaining your F1 status until your H4 start date.
It’s important to ensure that your travel plans don’t unintentionally affect your pending or approved COS. Reentering on F1 status might be seen as conflicting with the future H4 approval, and there could be challenges during reentry. It's advisable to review your situation carefully before making travel decisions.
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