H-4
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The HR team is available to assist you via phone, MS Teams and email.
Walk-in hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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H-4: Dependent Visa with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
The H-4 Dependent Visa is issued to family members of H-1B visa holders, specifically spouses and unmarried children under 21. This visa allows eligible H-4 spouses to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which grants them the ability to work in the United States. To be eligible for the EAD, the H-1B visa holder must either:
- Be the principal beneficiary of an approved Form I-140, or
- Have been granted H-1B status under sections 106(a) and (b) of AC21, allowing extensions beyond the six-year limit
Note: Children of H-1B visa holders, who are under the age of 21 and unmarried, are eligible for H-4 dependent status. However, they are not eligible to apply for an EAD and therefore cannot work in the United States. They can, however, attend school and participate in educational activities while in the U.S.
The H-4 visa is intrinsically linked to the status of the H-1B visa holder. If the H-1B visa holder loses their status, the H-4 visa holder’s status is also affected. The EAD is typically valid for up to three years, aligning with the H-1B visa holder’s status, and can be renewed as long as the H-1B visa holder maintains eligibility.
H-4 visa holders can renew their EAD as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. If they apply for renewal before their current EAD expires, they may be eligible for an automatic extension of up to 180 days, allowing them to continue working while the renewal is processed.