Dear Sir/Madam,

I am planning to begin PhD studies in the US next fall (F1 visa). I want to go there with my wife. PhD lasts ~5 years, and obviously she would prefer to work (or study) rather than sit at home with F2 visa.

Before I start applying to PhD programs, I would like to know how hard it would be for her to change her F2 visa into H1 visa (or F1 visa).

My guess is that to change the visa status it's enough to find a job and make the employer to sponsor the H1 visa issuance, or be admitted to college and get F1 visa. However, I am concerned that it may not be as easy as I imagine, and it would be nice if you could explain in detail any difficulties associated with changing visa status from F2 to H1 (or F1).

Btw, I am a Ukrainian citizen and my wife is Russian.

Thanks!