The H-4 status of an eligible spouse or kid is conditional on the primary worker’s immigration status remaining valid. As a result, these people are known as “H-4 dependents.” H-4 dependents are permitted to attend school. H4 visas allow H1-B visa holders’ spouses and people under the age of 21 to join them in the United States. Here we will see about Can H4 Go to College?
If you have an H4 visa (dependent visa), you can attend school or college without having to worry about your visa status changes. There are certain exceptions, but if you’re apprehensive about applying for a student visa (F1) to study, reconsider. On a dependent visa, you can enroll in a college or institution.
What exactly is an H4 Visa?
President Obama made a significant announcement about H4 visa employment. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) wants to improve the nation’s financial stability by enabling H1 visa holders’ dependents and H4 spouses to work, as well as allowing H1 visa holders to prolong their stay. Along with its H1 visa holders, the Trump administration welcomed skilled immigrant labor to work in the United States.
H4 visa holders are eligible to work with an EAD, according to the USCIS, and this legislation was passed in 2014-15. Those seeking a working visa as a relative of an H1B holder must meet the EAD requirements. The H4 visa applicant’s spouse must have a valid H1-B visa at the time of the H4 visa application.
Criteria
You must satisfy the following criteria to be considered for an H4 work permit.
Those who fall into one of two groups are eligible for the H4 visa based on EAD:
- The H1B visa spouse must get the foreign worker’s I-140 petition approved. If the I-140 petition is dismissed, the h4 visa holder is unable to work. The I-140 category (EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3) has no bearing on the H4 visa approval.
- The period spent in the United States by the H1B visa holder’s dependent is irrelevant as long as the 1-140 is authorized. As soon as the I-140 is authorized, the H4-EAD can be submitted. There is no need to wait.
- Under the AC-21 rule, the H1B visa applicant must extend I-140 in one-year increments. If the permanent labor certification or I-140 registration is not refused or denied, the H4 EAD can be employed.
- If the H1B holder came to the United States as a student and stayed for more than six years, the dependent does not qualify for the H4 EAD. An approved I-140 is required for H1 B visa holders.
Is it possible for H4 visa holders to study in the United States?
The United States’ higher education system includes many colleges. There are numerous law and medical schools to choose from.
H4 Visa Holders Can Attend These Educational Institutions:
Depending on your area of expertise, you may enroll in a community college, technical college, or other institution of higher learning. In general, there are three sorts of institutions to choose from: universities, community colleges, and local institutes.
- Any university can offer college degrees such as B.S., B.A., M.S., M.B.A, or similar:
Foreign students with visas other than the F-1 visa are welcome at universities. The rules may differ, and the criteria and admission policies may differ as well.
Graduate degrees, such as M.S. and MBA, require passing the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) and GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test), correspondingly. For undergraduate degree courses, you must pass the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).
- Institutes of local education
Many training institutes, particularly in computer sciences and software development, provide courses. Even though colleges provide training and credentials upon completion of the tasks courses, these certificates are not universally recognized. You can join them for the sake of studying, but the certificates/diplomas won’t help you get work. These are usually pricey short-term courses aimed at enhancing students’ skill sets.
Globalization has had a significant impact on how technologies operate, and the impact of shorter development cycles has influenced an employee’s career path. You are occasionally obliged to master new skills.
As a result, enrolling in such training courses to keep up with new technologies is a wise decision. Before enrolling, you should check the reliability of such institutes and courses.
- Professional classes such as sophisticated software, filmmaking, and art and design at the local community college.
These are well-known institutions with excellent student counseling services to assist you in determining the ideal route for you. These colleges are ideal for couples since they provide
- Flexible schedules
- Various courses are available.
- Affordably priced fees
It’s vital to know that the pay structure of many community colleges is determined by the applicant’s residency status in that state.
For example, if you enroll in a community college during your first year in the United States, your tuition will most likely be 3 to 10 times higher than that of resident students (or students that have stayed in the State for longer duration).
After one year of residence in a state, you are granted resident status.
Documents Required for Admission to Community College
- All certificates and transcriptions
- Some universities require TOEFL scores (Test of English as a Foreign Language). It assesses your abilities to comprehend, write, and read in English. Visit the TOEFL website for additional information (www.toefl.org).
- Other universities do not require TOEFL scores. They must have completed at least 16 years of English-medium schooling.
- Because each institution’s policies vary, you should conduct some research on the required documentation for admission.
Conclusion
College is crucial for several reasons, including long-term financial benefits, job stability, career contentment, and success beyond the office. A college degree might be important to your success in today’s workforce, as more and more industries require additional education.
Frequently Asked Questions
1)What types of courses are offered at community colleges?
All community colleges provide a wide range of programs in many subjects. You should look at community college websites to see what classes are available.
2)Is it possible for H-4 students to study in the United States?
Regardless matter why you want to study in the United States, you may be wondering if you can study masters on an H4 or L2 visa. The good news is that you can study either part-time or full-time on an H4 or L2 visa.
