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27 Oct 2022

My employer is filing my H1B extension and my wife’s H-4 extension. However, they told me I needed to file for her H-4 EAD extension separately, on my own. Can I apply for her EAD extension while the H-4 extension is still pending? Or do I need to wait for the H-4 extension to be approved?

Answer Assuming the H-4 spouse qualifies, it normally is possible to file for an H-4 EAD extension (or initial H-4 EAD) while an H-4 extension is still pending. (26.Oct.2022)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online...

07:08 / FAQs / For Families / Nonimmigrant Family / Worker
13 Oct 2022

I was born in India, but recently became a citizen of Canada. My husband is an Indian citizen and is in the U.S. in H1B status. Do I have to go to the consulate to get an H-4 visa stamp?

Answer Generally speaking, Canadian citizens are visa exempt and do not require an H-4 visa to be admitted in H-4 status. (12.Oct.2022)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access more FAQs here.  Copyright...

08:49 / FAQs / For Families / H-4 Dependents / Nonimmigrant Family / Travel
05 Oct 2022

I am in H-4 status and my husband has an approved I-140. I recently gave birth to our first child, and I have no intentions of working for the foreseeable future. As a precaution, however, I was considering applying for an H-4 EAD. Is this permitted even if I may never use the EAD?

Answer Yes, this is allowed. The H-4 EAD provides the individual with unrestricted work authorization, but it does not require that the person actually work. (05.Oct.2022)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here....

18:17 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / H-4 Dependents / Nonimmigrant Family / Worker
10 Aug 2022

When I entered the U.S. in L-2 status in 2020, I applied for an EAD. Now that I am authorized to work based on being in L2S status, is there any benefit to applying to extend my EAD?

Answer There does not seem to be much benefit to having an EAD based on one's L2S status. When the policy was announced, granting work authorization to L-2 dependent spouses incident to their status, the EAD was useful while waiting to obtain an I-94 updated with...

16:31 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / Worker
04 Aug 2022

If I get a U.S. master’s degree while in H-4 status, would that make me eligible for next year’s H1B master’s cap, or do I have to be in F-1 status to qualify?

Answer If you earn a U.S. master's degree from a qualifying university, you normally would qualify for the master's cap. There is no requirement that a person be in F-1 status while attending the school in order to qualify for the master's cap. (03.Aug.2022)Sheela Murthy and...

07:31 / FAQs / For Families / H-4 Dependents / Nonimmigrant Family / Student / Worker
13 Jul 2022

I filed an application to extend my H-4 status shortly before my I-94 expired. However, the USCIS rejected the package because I forgot to include the filing fee check. The rejection noticed indicated that I am allowed to reapply. If I refile now, does that mean the new filing will be considered as having been filed on time?

Answer No, if the refiling is done after one's I-94 has expired, that application will not be considered to have been timely filed. When the USCIS rejects a package, they typically include a form notice that indicates the person may be eligible to reapply. However, this...

20:53 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family
07 Jul 2022

I need to file to extend my H-4 status and the H-4 status of my son. My son is turning 21 next year, so he is only eligible for about 10 months of H-4 time. Is it ok to file his application as an I-539A supplement with my I-539 application?

Answer It is normally possible to file a dependent child's H-4 extension as an I-539A, along with the parent's I-539. However, the USCIS typically will issue the same I-94 expiration date for all the H-4 applicants, included in the I-539 and I-539A/s. So, in a case...

07:13 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / Worker
07 Jul 2022

I am doing various freelance jobs based on an H-4 EAD, which is valid through 2023. My H1B registration was selected in the lottery, and that H1B change-of-status request is pending. If the case is approved, do I have to stop using the H-4 EAD immediately?

Answer For an H1B case that was selected in this year's lottery, the petition should have requested a start date of October 1, 2022 or later. If the petition and change-of-status request are approved prior to the requested start date, you should be able to continue...

07:08 / FAQs / For Families / Nonimmigrant Family / Worker
15 Jun 2022

I am working based on an H-4 EAD, and I have a pending I-485 based on my husband’s EB2 case. My husband’s I-485 was just approved. Can I continue working based on my H-4 EAD?

Answer Once the principal spouse's green card is approved, that individual generally is no longer considered to be in H1B status. And, if the principal spouse is no longer in H1B status, the dependent spouse typically cannot be maintaining valid H-4 status (or continue to use...

21:07 / Employment Based / Family Based / FAQs / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Worker