H1b renewal with addition of H4

[a5shwinravi]

Hello everyone,

I have an active I-797 till Oct 2017. The I797 on my passport from my first H1b has expired. I will be travelling to India to get my H1b renewed this march. Although, i qualify for dropbox renewal (since my h1b just expired Oct 2014 < 12 months), I would like to know if i can schedule an actual interview to renew my H1b and add my wife as an H4 (dependant) under one interview. I will be getting married this march as well. I am thinking about scheduling the interview couple days after the interview so that i can have the marriage certificate and other documents ready for the interview.

thanks to everyone in advance

Ashwin

[bhavinbm]

Hello everyone,

I have an active I-797 till Oct 2017. The I797 on my passport from my first H1b has expired. I will be travelling to India to get my H1b renewed this march. Although, i qualify for dropbox renewal (since my h1b just expired Oct 2014 < 12 months), I would like to know if i can schedule an actual interview to renew my H1b and add my wife as an H4 (dependant) under one interview. I will be getting married this march as well. I am thinking about scheduling the interview couple days after the interview so that i can have the marriage certificate and other documents ready for the interview.

thanks to everyone in advance

Ashwin

Do you mind telling us what you ended up doing? Did your wife have to appear for interview even if you qualified for the waiver?

[shervin143]

Each individual DS160 will be reviewed separately. If the primary H1B holder is eligible for Dropbox, that doesn't mean that H4 is also eligible for Dropbox. In your case, you might be eligible for dropbox, but your spouse will need to attend the H4 visa interview.

Do you mind telling us what you ended up doing? Did your wife have to appear for interview even if you qualified for the waiver?

[bhavinbm]

Thanks. That is correct. I received the reply to my question from the usatraveldocs site.

Each individual DS160 will be reviewed separately. If the primary H1B holder is eligible for Dropbox, that doesn't mean that H4 is also eligible for Dropbox. In your case, you might be eligible for dropbox, but your spouse will need to attend the H4 visa interview.

[mihir_ray07]

same situation

i am eligible for h1 dropbox but my wife will be getting a fresh h4.
In the application process, if i add my wife as spouse it still gives me dropbox option.
How did you filled your application? Do i need to fill separate applications?

Please help.