This beautiful morning, I feel proud to start this blog and change your thinking towards H4 Visa in the United States of America. The reason why I am starting to blog is because there is nothing online that can help us motivate(I am on H4 Visa too). The more I research online about positive things that I can do while on this Visa, more I get disappointed as people call it a curse, are themselves disappointed and write that there is no hope. Also, after reading about people who couldn't work in the States for 10-15 years even after being highly qualified(some of them are in IT industry) it washes away any motivation or hope that we might have had. I recently completed a year in this nation and was surrounded by all kind and loving American friends(my husbands colleagues) until I decided to make some of my own friends who live around. That was when I came across some of the Desi Girls who were on same Visa, meeting them I felt I did a great job and am highly motivated. Most of these girls lived at home cooking all day until on weekends when they go out with husbands. That was when I started to think about sharing my experiences and how I stopped giving a F* about what Visa I am on and focusing more on things I can do. Things to either support several causes who fight for H4 Visa right or give more time to my passion which I could never do while busy at work(I am passionate about every dance form :)).
About Me
I was born and raised in one of the best cities of India(Mumbai). Since the time I remember, I have been know to do things differently, some people love it some hate it. I graduated in Information Technology and completed MBA in Marketing. After that I worked with a well known company in India for 2 years in the field of Online Marketing and was loving my job. I was extremely independent and I loved what I did. I never ever thought someday I might have to give up on my career as I knew I wont!
One fine day, I got married to the love of my life and was sure this will only bring good fortune to me. My husband was on H1-B or work Visa in the USA and I came to know I will be on H4 and cannot officially work there. But, things were going on so fast in my life that I din't even do enough research about my Visa as I had to plan my wedding event, resigned from my job just a month before the wedding day, was researching about how to get the US Visa and other concerns. Also, my husband who is way too optimistic, thought companies will sponsor me as I am qualified enough. He told me several times that there are ways and I felt positive!
Big Shock of my Life
Neither me nor my husband knew that companies just don't hire folks on H4 Visa as its a difficult process so we gave it our all. I created my solid LinkedIn profile, a cover letter on video and presentation formats and worked hard on rebuilding my resume. All of this paid off and I got many calls from some of my dream companies but unfortunately, they were not ready to sponsor me! After 30-40 interviews(some face to face) I realized the situation and yes like everybody else I was depressed too.
If Ignorance is a Bliss, Acceptance is a Boon
Most of us have had difficulty in accepting that we can't work on the US soil that is why we keep trying ways or reading useless blogs that only ends up in disappointments. Instead what I have learnt is to focus on what I can do here. It's not that I am against all of these blogs as some of them provide really good information but I would rather stop reading them once I am aware of the situation otherwise it only builds more negativity inside you. Now, you must be thinking what can I do here if I don't earn? Well if you have sacrificed your work life and have left your country for your spouse, it is their responsibility to support you financially for whatever you want to do in the US. Whether it is studies, fitness or a hobby that you love the most, don't feel shy or bad about asking your spouse to sponsor you, its your right to use what your spouse earns. Obviously not every person makes a higher six figure income so you also have to be fair enough to well spend that money. You can also act as your spouse's accountant and decide how much you can spend in a month. It is a great idea to keep a budget for your own activities, that way you have commitments.
There are several campaigns going on that fight for H4 Visa right and I participate in them very actively on Twitter, Facebook or other websites. One of the best campaigns are run by Rashi Bhatnagar, you can find her on twitter - https://twitter.com/h4visaacurse or on Facebook here facebook.com/H4visaacurse. I feel she is doing a great job and I post tweets on this topic everyday as well with #H4EADRULE and some other important hash tags(your tweets or Facebook posts are useless without right hash tags). But, in my blogs, I will be more focusing on several opportunities that we have on this Visa and how you can either end up in a depression here or rise up as a start. Choice is yours :) I will soon write exciting things that can be done and how you can live a happy life in the US while you are on H4 Visa. I hope my blogs will help some of the depressed folks out there and if I can help them cheer up with my blog, my work will be paid off.
Keep waiting for my next blog of enlightenment of H4 Visa and until then, create a real twitter account and speak out your heart on Twitter. I am sure you will be heard if you speak it loud enough!
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