To Study.. H4 or F1

[sdvivek]

Hi,

My wife wanted to persue her MS and she is in US on H4. One of the university told, depending on the Status (H4 or F1), she will be eligible for certain benefits from the university. Since, I am here for more than 2 years int he same state, I assume, she should be considered as a resident of the state.

Would any one suggest, what visa she should be at and which is beneficial.
Can she work with in the university with H4.
If she wnated to convert to F1, should she go back to India to get restamped or can she continue to study as long as she is in USA with F1 approved.

Thanks in Adv - vivek

[krr05]

Each visa type has its own pros and cons. If u covert to F1, you can on campus for 20hrs/week, which is good, but you will end up paying International student fees which is very much higher than the resident fee. Also, if you convert to F1, you might have to get it stamped only if you leave the country and try to re-enter USA (for example: if you visit India).

If you are on H4, then you will pay the resident fee but, you cannot work anywhere, not on campus or off campus.

Hope this helps....