H4 to F1

[anshjain]

Hi..
I am getting married in india in February.
I am on OPT and my wife would come in on H4.

1. How long do I have to wait before she can take admission in a university and move to F1 ?
2. Do i need to process the Change of Status from H4 to F1 before she comes in ?
3. I am gonna get engaged in october, what legal process do i need to go through to make sure she can come to USA with me after marriage ?

[peace999]

you will need a marriage certificate and proof of marriage ceremony ( photos etc) at the H-4 interview. But for her H-4, you will need to have an H-1 first or you both can apply for an H-1 , H-4 at the same time.

She cannot get an H-4 when you are on OPT.

Change of status from H-4 to F-1 is relevant only when one is inside US.
No waiting period required, she just needs to have everything required for an F-1. Enrolment in a full time course, proof of funding for the course, and the immigration papers
issued by the program to apply for change of status. Also an intent to return home after completion of studies.
I think it will take her several weeks to complete all that after she enters on an H-4.