H4 visa to J1 visa

[rana123]

Hi,

I am from India.I am on H4(dependent visa),with a stamped expiry date of May 7,2010 on H4 visa and I-94.I got a J1 offer for further studies in USA.Till I get my required documents for J1 visa,I am guessing it will be beyond this date.My husband has already applied for his visa extension.

1.Now,if I plan to get stamping of J1 in Mexico after the H4 expiry date,will I face any problems?
2.Do I need to go to India(my home country) for sure for stamping?
3.Is it better to have status change in USA itself(will delay start of the course)?

Awaiting your reply.Feedbacks are appreciated.

[Alpha Gee]

1. Staying in US after expiry of I-94 will be unfavorable to you, when you go for stamping in Mexico. Go for stamping to Mexico only if you are currently maintaining valid status in US.
2. Not necessarily.
3. Status change in US takes around six months. There is no fast tracking for J1.

One more thing you need to know. If you go out of US and get J1 stamped elsewhere you will be allowed back at your port of entry if your academic program starts within next 30 days.