H-4 Visa and Employment Authorization for Dependent Spouses
Founder Law can help you figure out if you qualify for a work permit if your spouse has H-1B status. The H-4 Visa is available to spouses and children of an individual who holds a current H-1B temporary worker status. H-4 status permits you to reside in the United States and attend school, but generally, you are not allowed to work. Read on to figure out if you are an H-4 dependent who is eligible for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), or work permit.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for an H-4 work permit, your H-1B spouse must meet one the following two requirements:
The H-1B spouse is the principal beneficiary of an approved Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker: or
The H-1B spouse has been granted H-1B extensions under AC21, which permits H-1B nonimmigrants to live and work in the US beyond the six-year limit while pursuing employment-based lawful permanent residence.
H-4 EAD Checklist
The H-4 applicant must file Form I-765 with the appropriate filing fee ($380) and signatures.
The H-4 applicant must submit the following evidence:
Proof of H-4 Status
A government-issued identification document with photo
The H-4 dependent’s relationship to the H-1B nonimmigrant
The H-4 dependent’s basis for eligibility
Photographs of the H-4 dependent for card production
Founder Law can assist you in compiling your personal, employment and immigration data and reporting the information on the appropriate lines of the appropriate forms so you can have the greatest chance of getting your H-4 EAD approved.
More Information
Possible USCIS Fees
- $380: I-765 fee
Related Forms
- Form G-1145: E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
- Form G-28: Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative
- Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
Steps
- Your H-1B spouse’s I-140 gets approved or your spouse receives a 1-year H-1B extension beyond the initial six-year limit
- Apply for EAD work permit
- Your EAD validity will match your period of H-4 status
Immigrant intent
- Immigrant intent: “Dual”
- OK to simultaneously seek permanent residence (green card)
Your next move deserves more attention.
The wrong immigration strategy can cost you years of progress and mounting legal fees. Founder Law has spent over two decades guiding the tech industry’s top talent and the companies building around them.
We review where you are, map the realistic pathways, and tell you which ones actually fit your timeline, your goals, and your risk tolerance. You leave with a plan, whether you hire us or not. If your career or your company depends on getting this right, let’s talk.