To benefit 179,600 in the first year; not all will get it though.
By Sujeet Rajan
WASHINGTON, DC: The long wait for many H4 visa holders seeking Employment Authorization Document (EAD) cards to work legally in the United States is finally coming to an end: effective May 26, 2015, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin applications from qualified spouses of H-1B visa holders.
USCIS Director León RodrÃguez made the important announcement today, ending months of speculation as to how long the H4 visa holders have to wait to get the EAD cards.
Related Story:Â EAD cards for H4 visa holders: USCIS needs to give it to all of them
“Allowing the spouses of these visa holders to legally work in the United States makes perfect sense,†RodrÃguez said. “It helps U.S. businesses keep their highly skilled workers by increasing the chances these workers will choose to stay in this country during the transition from temporary workers to permanent residents. It also provides more economic stability and better quality of life for the affected families.â€
Details are still coming in, and this news will be updated later today, but for now, it’s also likely that as many as 179,600 H4 visa holders may be eligible in the first year the cards will be issued, and subsequently as many as 55,000 annually.
Related Story:Â Final rule on work permits for H4 visa holders by December 2014-January 2015
Once the USCIS begin accepting the applications on May 26, 2015, the cards will be issued within 90 days, so in all likelihood those who qualify will be able to get it by August 26, 2015.
Not all H4 visa holders would be eligible for the EAD cards though: for now, it seems the USCIS will issue the cards to only those H4 visa holders who are the beneficiaries of an approved Immigration Petition for Immigrant Worker (Form 1-140), or those who are the spouses of H-1B visa holders who have got an extension of their authorized period of admission in the US, beyond the permitted six years that is.
Under the rule, eligible H4 dependent spouses must file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with supporting evidence and the required $380 fee in order to obtain employment authorization and receive a Form I-766, Employment Authorization Document (EAD). USCIS will begin accepting applications on May 26, 2015. Once USCIS approves the Form I-765 and the H4 dependent spouse receives an EAD, he or she may begin working in the United States.
Related Story: Agony for H4 visa holders, as Obama’s executive action delays work permits
The granting of EAD cards has come after three years when it was first proposed in February, 2012. It made little progress till April of last year when the White House issued the guidelines for the cards to be issued. And then came a period for public comments and official procedures. President Barack Obama also made it part of his Executive Action in November of last year. The USCIS finally submitted the final rule for the White House to approve it earlier this month, and which it did.
(This story was updated on February 24, 2015).
12 Comments
I am studen and i need to migrate in america special in washinton so how i can get i live ethiopia addis ababa
Hi, my husband went to us on 20th nov, 2015 in H1 B visa. I am holding H4. Am I eligible to apply for EAD carb?
Hi, I have a doubt regarding my eligibility for h4 ead. My husband is in the 7th year extension of h1b visa and his PERM got approved recently. And his employer did not file for i140 yet. My question is, am I eligible to apply h4 ead?
Hi, I have a doubt regarding my h4 ead eligibility. My husband is in the 7 th year extension of h1b and his PERM got approved recently. But, his employer did not file i140 yet. So, my question is am I still eligible to apply h4 ead?
Hi, I have a doubt regarding my h4 ead eligibility. My husband is now in the 7th year extension period and his PERM got approved recently. But his employer did not file i140 yet. My question is am I eligible to apply ead?
Hi,
After filing my EAD, I am leaving to india for three months and would be back in Sept, could u tell me if it important for me to be in USA to receive my EAD?
I would be very grateful, if you could reply on this question!
When I-765 form will be available for H-4 EAD?
Hello I have query, I am working for Indian company and have H4 visa, want to visit US for 3-4 months to my husband.
Can I do work from home there for my Indian company???
Hi I have confusion . Generally Indian companies process H1B for their employees & H4 for their spouse. Now if H4 is already processed can I add some form to it & get working visa H4 EAD.Please guide me how to do it?
Hi,
I have a query on new EAD rule can u help me in clarifying below question
My husband has his I-140 approved with his past employer and which is still active till date and now he is planning to go back to his past employer……now can i apply for EAD after may 2015 even if my husband is with his present employer…………….
Hi,
I have a query on new EAD rule. Can u clarify ?
My husband’s green card Perm has been pending with DOL for 1+ year. We are now in our 5th year of H1B and my husband’s employer has requested for H1B extension. As his Perm is more than 1 year, his employer has requested for 3 years of H1B extension . That is 2 years (for H1B max out) plus 1 year under AC21 act. Now if he gets his extension for 3 years, shall I apply for EAD as he is getting H1B extension with reference to AC21 act.
Please provide your comments.
No you can’t . He has to have an approved I-140, you are still one stage away from that. The AC21 plays no role here.