When can an H-4 spouse work?

An H-4 spouse may apply for an EAD only when the H-1B/H-1B1 principal meets one of the following conditions: (1) the I-140 immigrant petition has been approved by USCIS; or (2) the H-1B holder has been granted an extension beyond 6 years under the AC21 Act. Spouses of H-2A, H-2B, and H-3 holders are not eligible for an H-4 EAD. H-4 children are never eligible for work authorization.

Is the H-4 EAD rule at risk of being rescinded?

The H-4 EAD rule has faced legal challenges since its implementation in 2015. The Trump administration proposed rescinding the rule but did not finalize the action. The Biden administration retained the rule. The future of H-4 EAD depends on evolving policy. H-4 EAD holders are advised to monitor policy developments and consider obtaining an independent work visa (such as H-1B) as a backup.

Can H-4 holders attend school in the United States?

Yes. H-4 visa holders (both spouses and children) may enroll in educational institutions in the United States, including primary, secondary, and post-secondary schools. H-4 students do not need a separate F-1 student visa to attend school. However, if an H-4 child turns 21, they will lose H-4 status and must change to another status (such as F-1) to remain in the United States.

What if H-4 EAD processing takes too long?

If I-765 processing exceeds the USCIS-published normal processing times, you may submit a Service Request to inquire about the case, or file a complaint with the USCIS Ombudsman. Premium Processing is currently not available for H-4 EAD applications. Some applicants concurrently pursue other work visas (such as H-1B) for faster work authorization. As of October 30, 2025, EAD renewals no longer receive automatic extensions, making advance planning essential.

Does an H-4 holder need to go through the lottery to switch to H-1B?

Yes. If an H-4 holder wishes to change to H-1B status (sponsored by an employer), they must go through the annual H-1B lottery (unless the employer is cap-exempt, such as a university or research institution). If selected, the H-4 holder may change to H-1B status without leaving the United States (Change of Status).

What happens to H-4 status if the H-1B principal is laid off?

H-4 status is dependent on the principal H-1B holder's valid status. If the H-1B holder is terminated and loses H-1B status, the H-4 holder's status also terminates. The H-1B holder has a 60-day grace period to find a new employer or change status, and the H-4 holder may maintain status during the same grace period. If the H-1B holder finds a new employer and files an H-1B Transfer within 60 days, H-4 status is preserved.

The Peng Law

H-4家属签证

H-4 Dependent Visa

H-4签证是发给H-1B、H-1B1、H-2A、H-2B和H-3签证持有人的配偶和21岁以下未婚子女的家属签证。

Overview

概述

H-4签证是发给H-1B、H-1B1、H-2A、H-2B和H-3签证持有人的配偶和21岁以下未婚子女的家属签证。H-4签证持有人可以合法在美国居留，子女可以在美国上学。2015年起，符合特定条件的H-4配偶可以申请H-4 EAD（工作许可），在美国合法工作。H-4 EAD的核心条件是H-1B主申请人的I-140移民申请已获批，或H-1B持有人已根据AC21法案获得超过6年的H-1B延期。H-4身份的有效期与H类主签证持有人的身份有效期一致。

Eligibility

H-4签证及EAD申请条件

【H-4签证】申请人必须是H-1B、H-1B1、H-2A、H-2B或H-3签证持有人的合法配偶或21岁以下未婚子女

【H-4签证】主签证持有人必须维持有效的H类身份

【H-4 EAD】H-1B主申请人的I-140移民申请已获USCIS批准（即使有排期等待）

【H-4 EAD】或H-1B持有人已根据AC21法案第106(a)或106(b)条获得超过6年的H-1B延期

【H-4 EAD】仅限H-1B/H-1B1持有人的配偶（H-2和H-3的配偶不符合H-4 EAD条件）

【H-4 EAD】H-4子女不能申请EAD

Application Process

申请流程

随H类主申请一同申请

H-4身份通常在H类主申请人提交I-129时一同申请，也可以通过I-539表格单独申请身份转换或延期。

入境或转换身份

如在美国境外，H-4申请人到使领馆面签获得H-4签证入境。如已在美国，可通过I-539申请转换为H-4身份。

申请H-4 EAD（如符合条件）

符合条件的H-4配偶提交I-765表格申请EAD工卡，附上H-1B主申请人的I-140批准通知等证据。

等待EAD审批

I-765处理时间目前约3-8个月不等。在EAD获批前不能开始工作。

获得EAD后工作

EAD获批后，H-4配偶可以为美国任何雇主工作，无行业或职位限制。

Timeline Reference

时间线参考

阶段	预计时间
H-4签证/身份申请	与主申请同步或2-5个月（I-539）
H-4 EAD申请（I-765）	3-8个月
EAD有效期	与H-4配偶的I-94到期日一致（最长3年）
H-4身份有效期	与主申请人H类身份有效期一致

Frequently Asked Questions

常见问题

仅当H-1B/H-1B1主申请人满足以下条件之一时，H-4配偶才能申请EAD工作：(1) I-140移民申请已获USCIS批准；或 (2) H-1B持有人已根据AC21法案获得超过6年的H-1B延期。H-2A、H-2B、H-3持有人的H-4配偶不符合EAD条件。H-4子女在任何情况下都不能工作。