<p>Hi guys, I currently live in US with my Mom who has H1 (working) visa. I am a dependent of her so I have H4 visa. I got accepted to Penn state and Gmu so I'm planning to attend college here. I am supposed to switch my visa but... apparently I get can get my admission canceled if I dont get my visa by the beginning of my school year...Im very worried... Any info on visa stuff?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
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<p>You can attend college on an H-4 visa if you like. The advantage of switching to F-1 is that F-1 students are allowed to pursue (limited) employment, while H-4 students cannot work under any circumstance. If you need the money, or you’d like to pursue internships during school breaks, having that work permit is extremely valuable.</p>
<p>You have plenty of time to apply for an F-1 visa, if that’s the option you choose. Be aware of the following caveats:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>H-4 students are generally eligible for in-state tuition rates when the residence criteria are met, whereas F-1 students almost never qualify. (F-1 students cannot legally establish a domicile in the US.) If you are hoping to pay in-state tuition at Penn State, get in writing how changing visa status will effect your tuition status.</p></li>
<li><p>Be aware that you’ll lose your H-4 status at 21. Also be aware that you need to have an F-1 visa for a full academic year before you become eligible to work off campus.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>If your parents have a pending green card application that’s expected to be approved before you turn 21, I would consider staying on the H-4 visa until you get the green card. Otherwise you’d have to apply for your own F-1 visa at some point anyway, and it’s better to get that out of the way sooner rather than later. (This way you can start working earlier, and in 2 years you’ll have even more reason to immigrate than you do now… F-1 visas can be denied if you cannot overcome a suspected intent to immigrate.)</p>
<p>Wow Thank you so much for replying…you are so helpful.
I just have a question…
I lived in Us for 3 years with A2? Visa bc my dad was diplomat. My dad went back to my country but my Mom stayed and she got a job, so she was sponsored and got a h1… do you think they will approve my f1 visa? Im planning to go back to my country and change my visa to f1 this summer…but what if they dont approve… I came to US in 2007 march 17 so…I’ve been here for 6 years…
thanks again!</p>
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<p>Applying for your F-1 visa abroad can be significantly more risky than applying for a change-of-status within the US, depending on where you are from. For example, students from Western Europe are not usually given a hard time about intent-to-immigrate, but Indian and Chinese consulates have a reputation for giving (many) applicants a really hard time. </p>
<p>Worldwide about 1/3 of all F-1 visa applications are denied, most of them because of a suspected intent to immigrate. I don’t know the statistics on a country-by-country basis, though.</p>
<p>It’s hard to predict how your specific case will play out. Your diplomatic ties might help you (American authorities probably don’t want to bully the kid of a diplomat?!?), as will your choice of university. Since you are attending a selective university, it’s much easier to believe that your primary objective is your education, not finding a back door to sneak into the country.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your help! It helped me a lot! </p>
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