F1-OPT to H4 conversion

Q: H-1 visa holders unemployment benefits

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Q: Can I change status from B1/B2 to F1 without leaving US?

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Q: Do all misrepresentations carry a lifetime bar or just (ii) where you claim to be a US citizen when ur not?

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Q: Will I have any problems applying for citizenship, having filed taxes late?

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Q: F2 Visa to H-1B Visa with little complications?

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Q: I aplied for political asylum in USA,I want to know if i can travel in other counties than Usa only with alien number???

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Anonymous Jul 14, 2010 Immigration 5 views 1 answers

I am currently on my F1 visa, and just started my OPT period. The start date on my EAD is June 29th, 2010, and its valid till next year. I believe I am given 90 days of unemployment and that any travel outside the US would be counted towards this period of unemployment. Now, I am leaving to India for personal reasons on July 31st, 2010. My fiance just got his H1B approved, and we are getting married in India on November 18, 2010 and we plan to come back here to the US together on Nov 26th. Now, my stay in India is more than 90 days so I guess I might go out of status. So now, I would like to know if I can convert to H4 from my F1 visa? What problems would I face? Please let me know. Thanks!

Attorney Answer

Joseph Tapper

Joseph Tapper · Jun 20, 2026

You are correct in that time out of the country counts against your OPT. Those dates are fixed. As far as the 90 day absence, you should check w/ your DSO as to the effect of that. The regulations are not clear on that issue. They have the ability to communicate w/ SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visa Information system) to solve that issue. Yes, you can get an H-4 which can be changed to F-1 if you qualify.

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