H4 visa interview Appointment question!

[rambal3]

I have been working on H1B visa status up to May 2009 (H1B visa stamped on passport), and from May 2009 till the present date i am on
H4 visa status. I would be traveling to india next week and i need to book an appointment in www.vfs-usa.co.in website in order to enter usa
on H4 visa. Before booking the Appointment date there is a question saying "Are you applying for the same class of visa which is currently
valid or has expired within the past 12 months?" YES/NO. I am assuming i should choose YES. Please advice as to what would be the
correct option?

Also in the DS-156 form, there is a question saying "what is the purpose of your trip?" ( i am visiting my parents in India). Can i
answer the question saying "VISITING"?. Can you also please let me know if i need to fill out DS-157 and DS-158 forms? (i am a female
applicant). Please advice! Can you also provide me with H4 Checklist? Your help and advice will be greatly appreciated.

[shervin143]

I have been working on H1B visa status up to May 2009 (H1B visa stamped on passport), and from May 2009 till the present date i am on
H4 visa status. I would be traveling to india next week and i need to book an appointment in www.vfs-usa.co.in website in order to enter usa
on H4 visa. Before booking the Appointment date there is a question saying "Are you applying for the same class of visa which is currently
valid or has expired within the past 12 months?" YES/NO. I am assuming i should choose YES. Please advice as to what would be the
correct option?

>>>>>> H1B and H4 are not of the same class. This should be NO.

Also in the DS-156 form, there is a question saying "what is the purpose of your trip?" ( i am visiting my parents in India). Can i
answer the question saying "VISITING"?. Can you also please let me know if i need to fill out DS-157 and DS-158 forms? (i am a female
applicant). Please advice! Can you also provide me with H4 Checklist? Your help and advice will be greatly appreciated.

>>>>>> The questions is not about your indian trip. They are asking about the purpose of your trip to U.S (After a successful H4). Check the below URL for the H4 checklist
https://www.immihelp.com/h4-visa-stamping-documents/

[rambal3]

Hi shervin143,

Thank You for the reply. Currently I am in USA with an approved I-797A H4 visa document approved on June 2009 and the transfer of H1B to H4 has been done while i was in USA. I am going to India only now for stamping! As per the suggestion of a lawyer he has mentioned the answer as YES! so i am pretty confused now! Please let me know if you can help me on this choice!

[shervin143]

"Are you applying for the same class of visa which is currently valid or has expired within the past 12 months?"

As per my understanding you need to answer NO to this question. Approval notice and Visa are two different things. The question clearly asks if you are applying for the same "VISA" again or not. How can you answer YES when you currently have H1B stamped in your passport and you are applying for H4?

If you still have doubts, then you should call the VFS helpline Number. The VFS helpline number is for any issues that you face while filling the Visa Forms.

Hi shervin143,

Thank You for the reply. Currently I am in USA with an approved I-797A H4 visa document approved on June 2009 and the transfer of H1B to H4 has been done while i was in USA. I am going to India only now for stamping! As per the suggestion of a lawyer he has mentioned the answer as YES! so i am pretty confused now! Please let me know if you can help me on this choice!

[rambal3]

Hi Shervin,

I sincerely appreciate your advice and the time you had taken to answer my questions! I thank you very much! Just to make sure i shall call the helpline as per your recommendation! Thanx once again!

Bala

[rambal3]

Hi Shervin,

I had talked to the VFS Helpline and they confirmed me that the answer was NO. I really thank you for the guidance and advice!

Thanking you,
Bala