If your spouse loses his or her H-1B job and falls out of status, there is a 60-day grace period with which a new H-1B job can be acquired. "USCIS will issue policy guidance that states L-2 spouses are employment authorised, incident to status, and in cooperation with CBP, change the Form I-94, within . The premium processing clock, when someone. Do the H4 EAD approval team see me as a guy who's going to jump the ship soon after . The employment-basedH-4 EADform is what makes this possible for spouses of certain H-1B visa holders. These visas in particular also allow dependents to work in the U.S. Keep in mind that changing ones status can be tricky, especially when you have an approved I-140 pending with the USCIS. USCIS has shared a new term called cycle time. This fee increase applies to all categories that have premium processing before August 1, 2020. Each . If you leave the country and want to reenter you must have a valid passport and H-4 nonimmigrant visa (or another travel document) with you. What does that mean? The fee for H4 EAD cannot exceed $1,500 USD as per Congress. However, you should consult an immigration attorney before making any decisions to avoid falling into any legal situations that could jeopardize your status. To qualify for an EB-3, you must either have a bachelors degree or otherwise be a skilled or unskilled worker. It is not a priority for Trump Administration. Regulatory . This would violate the EAD rules. Back in the pre-biometric days, USCIS used to show big heart and approve H4 and H4 EAD along with H1B premium as a goodwill gesture. An Alter. 2023 VisaNation, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This H-4 EAD FAQ series may help you determine whether you are eligible for work authorization. Approve of premium processing for H4 EAD NOW! Update 3 May 2022 - USCIS has issued a temporary final rule which helps increase the 180-day auto extension to 540 days (1.5 years in total). Be aware that the USCIS cannot adjudicate your I-765 until they make a determination about the H-1B spouses eligibility for status. H4 EAD Premium Processing News: Planned for FY 2025, $1500 Fee. This interview is often the cause for concern among prospective H-4 holders, but it functionally exists to make sure that your relationship with your H-1B spouse is legitimate. Their spouse is allowed to remain with them in the country throughout the duration of their H1-B status, but they arent automatically authorized to work. Hefty backlogs make processing time longer, and USCIS has a plan to fix that. Premium processing allows people to jump the queue and get approvals or authorization without facing processing delays. Fifteen days to get EAD card. If your EAD has expired or will expire within 30 days and youre still waiting on approval, you can call USCIS and request that your application be expedited. In this free e-book, we'll go over the top 10 filing tips every H-1B applicant and business need to know. The temporary final rule aims to build on this progress and to ensure certain individuals will not lose their work authorization status while their applications are pending. At present, there is no option for H4 EAD extension premium processing. After approval, it takes another ten days to get approval notice by mail, and approx. USCIS Not Using Workforce Effectively, H4 and L2 Spouses Claim USCIS has acknowledged that their backlog of applications to be processed is significant. a week to ten days to receive your card. 3. Therefore, it will be valid for as long as the H-1B is valid, which is an initial period of three years with the opportunity to extend it to a maximum of six. A copy of your last EAD. A number of documents are necessary when demonstrating proof of eligibility. However, they may do so if they choose EAD. The premium processing time for H4 visa using Form I-539 will be 30 Days. Terms of Service It is good to know that they plan to return to 3 month time period for EAD approvals but it is easier said than done as the official processing times on their publicly available page are usually more than 12 months for each service center. So there is no need to worry about having your petition rejected on that account. Premium processing is an expedited adjudication service now available only to petitioners filing a Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, and to certain employment-based immigrant visa petitioners filing a Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers. H4 EAD: What You Need to Know in 2022 - Ashoori Law It may take few months at least. Check your inbox to confirm your email and download the free e-book. To qualify for an EB-2, you must have an advanced degree or exceptional ability in your field of work. During Trumps government, USCIS added the H4 biometric requirement and started processing the H4 and EAD separately. Licensed for 49 years. You can craft things to sell, collect inventory, and even build a website for your self-employment venture while youre waiting for your EAD, but you cannot accept any form of payment for goods or services until your EAD arrives. Further, H4 visa holders will get automatic extensions of their H-4 EADs until the expiration of their I-94s or 180 days from the expiration of the prior EAD, whichever is sooner. You cant legally work without an EAD unless youre in the United States on a work-specific visa. Contact us for help today. Until the fiscal year 2025 which starts on Oct 1, 2024, the only viable option would be filing the mandamus lawsuits to make USCIS work for timely approving EADs. If the company you work for in your home country doesnt have any corporate presence in the United States, youre registered as an employee of that company in your home country and the company deposits the money into your bank account in your home country and in the currency of your home country, you arent working in the United States. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. WebI-140 and I-485 Concurrent Filing; Immigrant Visa Processing; Non Immigration Visas . The regulation implements Congress's October 2020 legislation directing USCIS to expand premium processing service to a number of additional case types . The premium processing fee for all I-765 applications and most I-539 applications will be no higher than $1,750, and the processing timeframe will not exceed 30 days. There are a few ways to go about obtaining your green card while on an H-4 visa: Some other nonimmigrant visas allow you to work in the U.S. automatically, such as the O, E, and L class visas. My L2/EAD Extention was filed on 5/13 and biometrics applied on 7/23. H4 EAD Premium Processing - Facts, News Updates, And More Any situations not addressed below should be addressed with a, Fortunately, this is not a one-time opportunity. Thanks. Is the premium process option available for H4 EAD? - Quora If your spouse needs assistance with their H-1B visa, we have an unparalleled track record in approvals as well. Prior to March 2019, USCIS's policy was to generally adjudicate I-129 petitions (for H-1 or L-1) at the same time with concurrently-filed I-539 (for H-4 or L-2) and I-765 (for H-4 EAD and L-2 EAD) applications and this policy applied to both regular and premium processing filings. AM22Tech - H4 EAD premium processing coming soon - Facebook Big changes announced by USCIS. Readers are responsible for obtaining such advice from their own legal counsel. They have to now wait for another 3 years to see any daylight. I dont think EAD will be approved with H1B & H4, however EAD will be auto-extended ( if not first time) once your H4 is approved so that you can keep working. If you have an H4 visa and youd like to invest in stocks, bonds, startups, or private companies, its completely legal to do that. A U.S. 5. It is not mentioned in the settlement agreement. As an H-4 immigrant who receives an EAD, you are able to renew your authorization for as long as you maintain eligibility in accordance with 8 CFR 214.2(h)(9)(iv). Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can publish the rule in the Federal Register. So there is no need to worry about having your petition rejected on that account. This is a hefty sum, but 30 days is much faster than waiting 7 to 13 months for approval on your EAD application. Legal services are subject to a separate attorney agreement between VisaNation Law Group PLLC (formerly SGM Law Group PLLC) and you. Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses | U.S. After that, I could file concurrently for H1B, H4 extension and H4 EAD under premium processing per the new policy. The H-4 EAD premium processing takes about two weeks. Carl Michael Shusterman. If you have questions about making investments without an EAD, you should speak to both a financial advisor and an immigration attorney. Yes. Just saw this status for the bill. Official identification issued by the government. National ID document with photo. After USCIS announced impending changes in March of 2022, certain EAD holders became eligible for a 540-day automatic extension. Can I apply for H1B extension along with h4 change of status and h4 ead Automatic L2 EAD based on L1 status, H4 EAD automatic extension for 540 days or until H4 i94 is valid. For now, the biometrics requirement has been suspended - but by the time USCIS is implementing the long-awaiting H-4 premium processing, the biometrics requirement will be back and USCIS will continue to have an excuse not to take any action on these cases - even when the applicant is desperately trying to pay them an extra $3,250 to get a decision on these applications within 30 days . There is no concrete date given yet. No. Under normal circumstances, your H-4 EAD validity period would be granted for as long as you had H-4 status. . It may not seem like work in a traditional sense, but USCIS views self-employment or making money off of a hobby as employment. Visa Requirements to Work in the U.S. as a Person from Morocco - USCIS Thanks. Similarly, the biometric appointment will also be a major hurdle in the H4/L2 extensions premium timeline. Any situations not addressed below should be addressed with a qualified immigration attorney. USCIS has shared a new term called cycle time publicly today which is a metric that they track internally in their service centers. In Washington federal court, H-4 and L-2 spouses are continuing their fight to . Processing times vary from center to center, but H-4 EAD usually takes a while to process. What Will H-4 EAD Premium Processing Cost? See link on Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/03/30/2022-06742/implementation-of-the-emergency-stopgap-uscis-stabilization-act, Looks like H4 premium will not start until FY2025 in this link. Therefore, as of today, you cannot premium process your H4 EAD. 3. This may have been misleading to some H4 EAD holders who believed they were a part of that group. The premium processing fee for H4 visa extensions and change of status(COS) using form I-539 form is going to be $1,750, The premium processing fee for H4 EAD using form I-765 form is going to be $1,500, The premium processing time for H4 EAD using Form I-765 is going to be 30 Days. USCIS Processing Times Visa Approvals Rates Login. Q. USCIS hasproposedsubstantial government filing fee increases for 2023. If the h4 biometric requirement is not removed, we suspect the delays will still be there. According to the USCIS, they will not backdate the validity period of your EAD to when H-4 status was granted. It is also a violation of your nonimmigrant status. You may need to include the income you receive from these existing deals as passive income on your U.S. tax returns. There is no guarantee that USCIS will expedite your EAD processing once you ask. You can raise a request after 75 days to get the latest update. Now, with this new rule, H-4 holders can apply for Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) in order to work in the U.S. freely. WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Fortunately, this is not a one-time opportunity. A reputable employer would never offer to employ you without an EAD. You will see the status say, sent for printing. Your H-4 status and your EAD are two different processes, as you will need to have your visa status approved before you can get your EAD. Below is the summary : As per the Bill HR 8337, that was signed into law by president Trump, below are the complete details that are related to H4 Visa and H4 EAD premium processing. USCIS H4 EAD Processing Time - Hacking Immigration Law, LLC. The Trump administration made certain changes to the immigration process that extended the duration of the process to an . The premium processing time for H4 EAD application cannot exceed 30 days. If youre a creative professional, like an author or a musician, you probably work with a record label or a publishing house that pays you for your work. What are my chances of getting these approved at the earliest as my EAD expires on 10/10? Looking for U.S. government information and services? how long it take effective ? H4 EAD VISA NEWS - The Economic Times USCIS Plans to implement H4 and H4 EAD premium processing by FY 2025. Oct 16, 2020 - The USCIS issues a press release with the following updates: Premium processing fees for H1B categories have been pushed up to USD 2,500 according to Public Law 116 - 159. The settlement was specifically to return to concurrent adjudication when filed together. It can be done safely and legally without violating any United States laws, but a lawyer would need to view the circumstances in order for you to be sure youre making the right decisions. Depending on your field of study, educational background, and the nature of your occupation, you might qualify for an. 447 reviews. If you have not filed your Form I-907, or have . USCIS Final Rule Implements Premium Processing Provisions of - NAFSA If you have not requested premium processing service, you can call 800-375-5283 for general information about the program. Therefore, you. There are two requirements, and H-4 dependents need to satisfy at least one of them to qualify for an H-4 EAD application. The clever part is that the premium processing timeline will not start until all the prerequisite steps for approving an application are completed. OMB review is the last step in the rulemaking process before U.S. To qualify for an EB-1, you need to be an outstanding researcher or professor or you must be an executive or manager in a multinational company. Request a confidential consultation today. When will this good news go into effect? This website is not intended to provide legal advice, and therefore, does not invite or create an attorney-client relationship. Today the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a final rule that aligns premium processing regulations with the Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act. There also isnt a cap on the number of H4 EADs issued so you can get one as long as you meet the requirements. Aside from that, to apply for an EAD you will need to file an I-765 Application for Employment Authorization. The second recommendation is that the premium processing service be made available for H-4, L-2, and EAD applications. Fee varies from $1500-$2500. You can check service center H4 EAD, Evidence of a bona fide relationship (i.e., marriage certificate), Additional details regarding the requirements can be found, I-765 Application for Employment Authorization. Hello @Anil_Gupta , Thanks for your prompt response. Weve received many questions regarding qualifications, documentation required, processing procedures and the. View Profile. The best advice is to answer honestly and to say that you dont know the answer to a question if you are unsure. An EAD is not the same thing as an entry document, it only serves to permit you to work in the U.S. Consider the income your beneficiaries would lose waiting a full year for you to get your work permit in compliance with immigration law. USCIS will increase capacity, improve technology, and expand staffing to achieve these new goals by the end of FY 2023. or even an H-1B visa yourself. To get the H4 and EAD approval quickly, do this: File H1B extension/transfer/Change of status, H4, and H4 EAD in the same package (at the same time). It will be part of future phases of rollout of premium processing for forms I-539 and I-765. Based on the predictions, an estimated 179,600 H-4 visa holders are eligible for this work authorization. H-1B visa approvals surge to 97% in fiscal 2021. As the lawmakers note, the USCIS could charge up to $1,400 for each application, and this revenue could pay for the additional expense of having to expedite the processing of these cases. USCIS has reached a settlement agreement to process the H1B, H4, and EAD together (as they used to do earlier) starting Jan 25, 2023. Review our. Some sample questions for the H-4 interview might include: These are just some questions that may or may not appear in your interview. A Bill (HR 8337) that included an H4 EAD extension expedited processing option was passed and signed into law in October 2020. The EB1 Green card category is current anyway and hence the applicants do not really need it immediately. The regulations state that your H1B spouse needs to just have an approved I-140. The rule codifies premium processing fees and adjudication timeframes provided by Congress. The USCIS provided a 540-day auto-extension based on the renewal application. USCIS H4 EAD Premium Processing. Thanks. If I dont have a Social Security Card but have an approved H4 EAD, can I start working with an ITIN? The H1B Visa stamp that is issued to the individual and stamped in the passport is not employer-specific and continues to be valid even after you move to another employer until the Expiration Date on it. The cost of goods and services is rapidly rising in America due to unchecked inflation. This is because the USCIS could potentially send a request for additional information or a Notice of Intent to Deny. An Alternative to Premium Processing: Submit an Expedite . A C26 EAD is just the USCIS category code for the H4 visa Employment Authorization Document. Q. You should be able to upgrade your existing pending H4 and H4 EAD applications to premium once the USCIS starts accepting them. Your use of this website and our software platform are subject to VisaNation Inc.'s privacy policy and terms of use. has to have an approved I-140 OR have been approved for H-1B status under sections 106(a) and (b) of the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act (AC21). The premium processing fee for H4 visa extensions and change of status (COS) using form I-539 form is going to be $1,750. See the below timeline for additional details. We do not have the date on when this will be effective. Therefore, you must be in the U.S. to apply. The H4 EAD category C26 is not eligible for the 180 day automatic extension. Now, with this new rule, H-4 holders can apply for, In order to qualify for employment authorization documents, there are two main criteria. More details here https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/viewEO12866Meeting?viewRule=true&rin=1615-AC73&meetingId=118573&acronym=1615-DHS/USCIS, Looks like they updated meeting details , not sure what will be the nest steps. The Indian H4 EAD spouses are the ones losing their job due to extreme processing delays. This H-4 EAD FAQ series is intended to act as a guideline for filing. The VisaNation Law Group attorneys have helped countless individuals obtain employment authorization documents so they can confidently live and work in the United States. USCIS Temporarily Suspends Biometrics Requirement for Certain Form I-539 Applicants. However, the H-4 EAD premium processing will decrease the wait time to just 30 days! EB2 Priority Date; USCIS Form Processing Times; NVC Case Status; Priority Dates; H1B Premium Processing; Breaking Down the Credit Score; Passport Books versus Passport Cards; U.S . Therefore, as of today, you cannot premium process your H-4 EAD. Fortunately, unlike the H-1B visa, there is no annual cap to the H-4 EAD. Neither your employer nor your spouses employer is obligated to pay them. So youll like to have around 1 year for H4 EAD to be approved. 2023 AM22Tech| Is premium processing available for H4 EAD? The premium processing fee for H4 EAD using form I-765 form is going to be $1,500. These are just some questions that may or may not appear in your interview. As per the regulation published in Federal Register, DHS Plans to implement H4 and H4 EAD premium processing by FY 2025. What's New on VisaGrader? As a result, we may see some activity for H4 and H4 EAD premium Processing by September 2021. In a situation like that, you need to know what your alternatives are. Although the bill was passed, its provisions were never implemented. This will incur an H-4 EAD visa fee of $410. US Congress passed Bill HR 8337 which added provisions to expand premium processing for H4 Visa and H4 EAD. However, getting an H4 can be a complex process. No, you do not need to show that working is a necessity for your financial stability in the U.S. Each case varies depending on the service center that is processing the petition. Hope my understanding is right. Does that jeopardize H4 EAD or my H1B transfer? . This website is a public resource of general information which is intended, but not promised or guaranteed, to be complete, accurate, and up-to-date. If youre a hobby baker who makes cakes for friends or family or makes clothes or crafts to sell online, you still need an EAD to do it. If you are not in the U.S. to be able to address and respond to either of these, the USCIS may consider your case abandoned and deny your EAD. The premium processing fee for current eligible categories such as H1B, L1, I-140 and other categories will be increased to $2,500 USD from $1440 USD. To get the H4 and EAD approval quickly, do this: Steven Brown of the RN Law group has shared the good news on his Twitter account. If you have additional questions not included on this H-4 EAD FAQ page, please contact a VisaNation Law Group attorney to schedule a. , there is no annual cap to the H-4 EAD. However, processing times at all four USCIS Service Centers for standalone H-4 EAD renewals are currently listed at 8.5 to 12 months. If you would like to speak to an attorney about obtaining an EAD card under H-4 status, click the button above to schedule your consultation today. The H4 EAD application fee is $410. Hi, will there be a 60-day comment period post publication of the rule in the federal register? As of now, we do not have the text published for the same. If you have already received your H-4 EAD and your spouses I-140 is revoked, then your employment authorization will remain valid until it expires. A final rule titled Implementation of the Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act was published in the Federal Register at 87 FR 18227 (March 30, 2022). Refer to your receipt notice to find your form, category, and office. Lying or exaggerating the truth can lead to much more serious consequences than having your H-4 denied. H4-EAD Premium Processing Time - TaxUni The maximum fee and processing time for EB-1C (multinational executives and managers) would be $2500 and 45 days respectively.The change of status to F, J, and M fees will be a maximum of $1750 and will be processed within 30 days.The extension or change of status to E, H, L, O, P, or R, will carry a cost of $1750 and the processing should be completed within 30 days.The good news is that premium processing for EADs (H4 and L2 EAD included) will cost $1500 to get approval within 30 days. I am thinking of upgrading my h1 to premium processing .. so is there any way USCIS also approve H1 with H4 in premium processing thought we havent filed together read more