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04 Aug 2021

I filed my H-4 and H-4 EAD extensions with my husband’s H1B extension. His extension was approved through 2024, but my applications are still pending. I recently traveled and was issued a new I-94 valid through 2024 when I returned. Can I update the USCIS with my new I-94? Will it speed up the processing of my EAD?

Answer The USCIS does not appear to have an official policy on this. Anecdotally, however, we have had cases where we have provided an updated I-94 to the USCIS while the form I-765 application for employment authorization was pending. For at least some of those cases,...

16:57 / Employment Based / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / USCIS News / Worker
03 Jun 2021

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...

07:50 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / Travel / Worker
27 May 2021

I am in H1B status and have an approved I-140. My son, who is 15 years old, is in H-4 status. He would like to take a summer job. Is he able to obtain an H-4 EAD?

Answer Unfortunately, no. The H-4 EAD program can only be used by H-4 spouses. H-4 children are not eligible to apply for the H-4 EAD.  (27.May.2021)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here....

10:50 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / Worker
27 May 2021

I am recently divorced and wish to travel to the U.S. in H1B with my minor son, who will be coming in H-4 status. My ex-husband has no objections to this. Do I need to bring documents with me for my son to enter, since his father will not be traveling with us?

Answer U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that, if a child is only being accompanied by one parent, the parent traveling with the child carry a note from the other parent that states: "I acknowledge that my wife / husband / etc is traveling...

10:05 / FAQs / For Families / Immigrant Family / Nonimmigrant Family / Travel / Worker
06 May 2021

If I travel from India to Mexico and stay there for two weeks, can I then enter the U.S.? Or would the travel ban still apply to me?

Answer The suspension of travel from India due to the pandemic only applies to people who were physically in India during the past 14 days. If a person travels to a third country, such as Mexico, for two weeks, the travel ban would not prevent that...

08:31 / Employment Based / Family Based / FAQs / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / Travel / Worker
05 May 2021

Exemptions and Exceptions to Proclamation Suspending Travel from India to Curb COVID-19

President Biden's Proclamation suspending travel from India, first announced on Friday, April 30, 2021, is now effective. The Proclamation bans the entry of nonimmigrants who were physically present in India during the last 14-days, and is effective until further notice.Importantly, this prohibition on entry has...

17:51 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / Travel / Worker
22 Apr 2021

My H1B extension was approved, but my wife’s H-4 and H-4 EAD applications are still pending. If I file a new I-539 and I-765 for her, will she have to do biometrics again?

Answer Generally speaking, a change of employer by the principal H1B spouse would not impact a pending H-4 or H-4 EAD, and would not necessarily require the filing of a new H-4 or EAD application. However, if a new application is filed, the USCIS may require...

11:01 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / H-4 Dependents / H1B / Nonimmigrant Family / Worker