My wife has an H-4 visa, which was stamped with my previous employer. It is valid through 2022. Do I need to file the H-4 extension now, or can it wait until right before it expires?

Answer

First off, if a person is in the U.S., the expiration date of the H-4 visa “stamp” has no impact on one’s status. Status generally is determined by one’s I-94 expiration date.

Second, both H-4 status and the H-4 visa stamp are not tied to any particular employer. So, a change in employer by the principal H1B spouse typically would have no impact on the validity of the dependent family member’s H-4 visa stamp or status.  (03.Jun.2021)

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