r2i forum

!!! May be not the right forum, but believe many in the forum that can help !!!


I am an Indian citizen holding India passport.Currently I am on H1- B visa working as a Software Developer, full-time employee for a company based in Kansas, USA. I am getting married in May 2015 in India. My fiance is a Tanzania citizen holding a Tanzania passport.

I have following queries:
(a) Is it advisable to get the spouse named endorsed in the passport? Is it required?
(b) Any problems in applying for the H4 visa from India, Mumbai Consulate preferably?
(c) Can we apply for an appointment for the visa interview before the marriage date? Note: The interview date would be scheduled after the marriage.
(d) Or Is it advisable to schedule H4 interview in her home country?

Any guidance with the queries mentioned above would be highly appreciated. Awaiting replies.

Does she become Indian citizen by virtue of marriage ?

If you want to bring her immediately after marriage. let her come on visitor visa(b1/b2)

Once she is in US, your attorney can file for her H4 (change of status from b1 to h4) , you have to go to Canada to get the h4 visa stamped.

By that time, if the new immigration law allows stamping within USA , then it will be a great relief.

This may not be great idea but just another option.

Confused Desi;589142!!! May be not the right forum, but believe many in the forum that can help !!!


I am an Indian citizen holding India passport.Currently I am on H1- B visa working as a Software Developer, full-time employee for a company based in Kansas, USA. I am getting married in May 2015 in India. My fiance is a Tanzania citizen holding a Tanzania passport.

I have following queries:
(a) Is it advisable to get the spouse named endorsed in the passport? Is it required?
(b) Any problems in applying for the H4 visa from India, Mumbai Consulate preferably?
(c) Can we apply for an appointment for the visa interview before the marriage date? Note: The interview date would be scheduled after the marriage.
(d) Or Is it advisable to schedule H4 interview in her home country?

Any guidance with the queries mentioned above would be highly appreciated. Awaiting replies.

(a) Not mandatory, Not required but when you renew passport make sure you add spouse name. Also After marriage getting Marriage certificate important, so get this done first.
(b) Not aware about Non-Indian citizenship but for an Indian Consulate city is selected based on where your current residence is. If you live in US then you can go to any city for H4 stamping.
(c) Don't know
(d) As per my opinion, This is better then going for stamping in India.

(d) is the best option in my opinion too. Her country cannot reject her on the grounds that they service only their citizens, while India could do that. I would not attempt to bring her inside the US on B1/B2 since these do not allow immigration intent or to reside in the US on a semi-permanent basis. Joining the spouse who's on H1 will be a reason for rejection of B1/B2 at application or port of entry.

(a) completely optional, DW still doesn't have her name changed or my name endorsed in her passport.

(d) is probably the best option for getting a visa stamp.

You can do (c) if applying for visa under her current name or confident to receive a new passport before the appointment in case of a name change. DW had done that herself a few years ago for her H4.

For Indians first visa stamp to US has to be from home country. Not sure about Tanzania but highly unlikely that it is any different for them either.

For visa appointment in India interview can be scheduled a week in advance (I think). Not possible to book a date in advance but interview dates are available in plenty. No need to sweat about waiting time. But I think point it moot for Tanzanians applying for first time to US.

Spend 200$ and speak with an Immigration attorney at Murthy.com