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Hi,
FYI, I am new to this forum. I am currently in the U.S. on a H1B visa that began October 2015. Previously I held F1 visa. My H1B was applied for and approved without me leaving US.
My wedding is on Feb 12th 2016, at Chennai. My vacation is for 2 weeks.
Arrival at Chennai: Feb 8th (Monday)
Departure to US: Feb 20th (Saturday)
Kindly advise on the best course to achieve the following within this duration:
1. My H1B stamping (first H1B stamping)
2. H4 for my then-spouse
Here are the scenarios I am considering and their corresponding difficulties:
Scenario 1:
VI for: myself first, spouse later (but right after wedding), leave for US together
VI date for myself: ASAP after arrival (and possibly before wedding)
Example between 8th and 11th.
Get marriage certificate
Spouse applies for H4 between Feb 15 and 17
Difficulties: Delay in getting docs after marriage, or passport for spouse after VI can jeopardize chances of leaving together.
Scenario 2:
VI for: myself and spouse together (right after wedding), leave for US together
VI date for myself and spouse: Between Feb 15 and 17 (i.e. after getting marriage certificate)
Difficulties: Delay in getting docs after marriage, or passport for myself for both can jeopardize chances of me leaving on 20th (priority) or for spouse, or both.
Scenario 3:
VI for: myself first first and spouse later (not necessarily right after wedding), leaving for US at different times (with me leaving on time being the priority)
VI date for myself: as in scenario 1
VI date for spouse: later - undecided.
I don't see difficulties with this. But I want to know if this is the best course I can take given the short trip and departure date falling just one week after wedding.
Q1. Which of the following scenarios above is advisable. Or am I missing a specific one? Please advise.
Q2. For H4 - I see that all copies of previous forms of the H1B holder's 1040 and W2 are required.
I have filled and submitted 1040 forms before but I don't have an 'official' copy of it (like W2 where we get to keep one official, printed copy for ourselves). 1040 is whatever we write and submit so I have taken a copy of it before mailing it to IRS. Is this what is being referred to? I see an option in IRS website that says I can order transcripts of 1040 but they will take at least 75 days of processing.
Q3. If I do book VI for myself and spouse on same date, what are the implications if my spouse doesn't show up for VI (delay in getting marriage certificate etc.)
Q4. To avoid situation in Q3, I believe I can start one application for both of us, file 2 DS 160s with mine being the primary applicant and hers added as dependent. Is there an option at the end to schedule DIFFERENT interview dates for both of us in this case? If we can schedule it on different dates for each applicant in the same application (i.e. mine having it right after arrival and her's later) then there still is no guarantee that her's might not be delayed but at least it will eliminate risks (if any) of her not showing up if booked on the same date and also having any mismatch of information if filed separately.
Sorry for the long post. I wish to be as detailed as possible.
Your help is much appreciated!
FYI, I am new to this forum. I am currently in the U.S. on a H1B visa that began October 2015. Previously I held F1 visa. My H1B was applied for and approved without me leaving US.
My wedding is on Feb 12th 2016, at Chennai. My vacation is for 2 weeks.
Arrival at Chennai: Feb 8th (Monday)
Departure to US: Feb 20th (Saturday)
Kindly advise on the best course to achieve the following within this duration:
1. My H1B stamping (first H1B stamping)
2. H4 for my then-spouse
Here are the scenarios I am considering and their corresponding difficulties:
Scenario 1:
VI for: myself first, spouse later (but right after wedding), leave for US together
VI date for myself: ASAP after arrival (and possibly before wedding)
Example between 8th and 11th.
Get marriage certificate
Spouse applies for H4 between Feb 15 and 17
Difficulties: Delay in getting docs after marriage, or passport for spouse after VI can jeopardize chances of leaving together.
Scenario 2:
VI for: myself and spouse together (right after wedding), leave for US together
VI date for myself and spouse: Between Feb 15 and 17 (i.e. after getting marriage certificate)
Difficulties: Delay in getting docs after marriage, or passport for myself for both can jeopardize chances of me leaving on 20th (priority) or for spouse, or both.
Scenario 3:
VI for: myself first first and spouse later (not necessarily right after wedding), leaving for US at different times (with me leaving on time being the priority)
VI date for myself: as in scenario 1
VI date for spouse: later - undecided.
I don't see difficulties with this. But I want to know if this is the best course I can take given the short trip and departure date falling just one week after wedding.
Q1. Which of the following scenarios above is advisable. Or am I missing a specific one? Please advise.
Q2. For H4 - I see that all copies of previous forms of the H1B holder's 1040 and W2 are required.
I have filled and submitted 1040 forms before but I don't have an 'official' copy of it (like W2 where we get to keep one official, printed copy for ourselves). 1040 is whatever we write and submit so I have taken a copy of it before mailing it to IRS. Is this what is being referred to? I see an option in IRS website that says I can order transcripts of 1040 but they will take at least 75 days of processing.
Q3. If I do book VI for myself and spouse on same date, what are the implications if my spouse doesn't show up for VI (delay in getting marriage certificate etc.)
Q4. To avoid situation in Q3, I believe I can start one application for both of us, file 2 DS 160s with mine being the primary applicant and hers added as dependent. Is there an option at the end to schedule DIFFERENT interview dates for both of us in this case? If we can schedule it on different dates for each applicant in the same application (i.e. mine having it right after arrival and her's later) then there still is no guarantee that her's might not be delayed but at least it will eliminate risks (if any) of her not showing up if booked on the same date and also having any mismatch of information if filed separately.
Sorry for the long post. I wish to be as detailed as possible.
Your help is much appreciated!
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