Q: How long can I stay outside the US on an H4 visa without affecting my status?
I hold an H4 visa valid from 2024 to 2027. Currently, I'm outside the US in Nigeria and I plan to stay here for 4 months. How often can I travel out of the US on an H4 visa, and how long can I stay outside the US without affecting my visa status?
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A:
Living outside the U.S. on an H4 visa requires careful consideration of several factors. Your H4 status remains valid as long as your spouse maintains their H1B status and continues working with their sponsoring employer. The length of time you can stay abroad doesn't have a strict limit, but your visa must be valid for reentry.
For your planned 4-month stay in Nigeria, you should ensure your H4 visa stamp hasn't expired before returning. If your spouse's H1B employment remains active and your visa is valid through 2027, this trip shouldn't affect your status. However, very long absences (typically over 6 months) might raise questions during reentry about whether you maintain a residence in the U.S.
Keep detailed records of your travel dates and maintain copies of your spouse's current H1B approval notice and employment verification. Before planning extended trips, consider checking if any pending immigration applications might be affected by long absences. Remember that while you have flexibility to travel, your primary residence should appear to be in the U.S. where your H4 spouse works.
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