Youre still working in your home country. Permanent residents and naturalized citizens also do not need EADs as they are authorized to work based upon their status . USCIS will consider requests to expedite the processing of certain documents if the circumstances are severe. Depending on your field of study, educational background, and the nature of your occupation, you might qualify for an. While it is possible for you to travel without directly jeopardizing your status, it is usually not recommended to do so until your EAD has been approved. Citizenship and Immigration Services is announcing a trio of efforts to increase efficiency and reduce burdens to the overall legal immigration system. Below is a summary of the latest status of H4 Visa (Form I-539) and H4 EAD(Form I-765) premium processing as of March 30th, 2022. 447 reviews. Below is our H4 visa EAD FAQ series based on information released by USCIS. 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. Its connected to your spouses or your parents visa. What's worse, if concurrently filing the H-4 EAD renewal . On May 26, 2015, the USCIS began accepting applications for H-4 dependent spouses to obtain employment authorization. What Is Premium Processing for H4 EAD Through USCIS? Nothing in this website is to be considered as either creating an attorney-client relationship between the reader and Fragomen or as rendering legal advice for any specific matter. Processing times vary from center to center, but H-4 EAD usually takes a while to process. Your use of this website and our software platform are subject to VisaNation Inc.'s privacy policy and terms of use. In this free e-book, we'll go over the top 10 filing tips every H-1B applicant and business need to know. The job you are filling must be permanent and not seasonal. For example, the I-129 H-1B filing . what time line we can expect to use premium processing option? Fee varies from $1500-$2500. This provision will be effective after USCIS completes the regulatory process. Its still a long waiting period. No, they said that they will start implementing it for new filing starting Jan 25. NVC sends the foreign applicant the approval documents containing instructions about fees and the next steps in the process. . The premium processing time for H4 COS, extensions cannot exceed 30 days, Premium processing clock for H4 extensions and COS will start only after the pre-requisites are met. Topics. It is called public law 116 159. So does this also mean that if anyone has to extend H4+EAD the fees are expected to be total $1750+$1500 and the duration be 30+30 total days? As Sep21 approaching soon is there any update on Premium processing for H4, (I-539) H4EAD(I-765). You may even be able to work remotely for that company from the United States if the situation meets certain criteria. 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. What's New on VisaGrader? Thank you so much for the explanations! The EAD, or Employment Authorization Document, makes it legal for people who dont have permanent resident status or visas that authorize employment to work in the United States. 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. H4 EAD processing time varies from 4-8 months in Vermont, Texas, Nebraska, and California service centers. Your H-4 visa status is tied to your H-1B spouses status. He worked with Jonathan Wasden from Wasden Law and Jesse Bless on behalf of AILA. You will need a physical card per I9 compliance to work. The EB-1A and EB-2 allow beneficiaries to self-petition for their green cards, though you must have National Interest Waiver if you hope to self-petition for an EB-2. Refer to your receipt notice to find your form, category, and office. 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. https://www.quarles.com/newsroom/publications/impact-and-timing-of-the-dhs-final-rule-to-expand-premium-processing Dont accept any job offers from people who can tell you that you can work without an EAD. 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. Fifteen days to get EAD card. Even if you were authorized to work under a different visa, you will need to file for a new EAD for your H-4. Fortunately, this is not a one-time opportunity. They have a thorough knowledge of the H-1B process and this new EAD rule. USCIS H4 EAD Premium Processing. If the petition is accepted, it is passed to the National Visa Center (NVC) which issues U.S. After that, I could file concurrently for H1B, H4 extension and H4 EAD under premium processing per the new policy. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) final rule that would expand premium processing to include additional case types has cleared the Office of Management and Budget, putting it closer to publication and implementation. During Trumps government, USCIS added the H4 biometric requirement and started processing the H4 and EAD separately. Any situations not addressed below should be addressed with a qualified immigration attorney. Any request that involves lengthy research or correspondence with USCIS isnt eligible for premium processing. Please contact us at INFO@COHENTUCKERLAW.COM with any questions. The new card is valid from Jan 2023 till Jan 2025. Wait for your Social Security card to arrive (takes about 5-6 weeks). USCIS will first process Form I-526 petitions for investors for whom a visa is available or soon to be available. H4 EAD Premium Processing News Planned for FY 2025, Fee $1500, Current Status on H4 Visa, H4 EAD Premium Processing, Timeline, Latest News Updates on H4 and H4 EAD Premium Processing, Summary of H4 Visa, H4 EAD Premium Processing Bill, Travel to USA Processes, Samples, How to Guides, published the Regulation to implement Premium Processing, Official Press Release by USCIS On Premium Processing. Looking for U.S. government information and services? The H-4 EAD premium processing takes about two weeks. Legal services are subject to a separate attorney agreement between VisaNation Law Group PLLC (formerly SGM Law Group PLLC) and you. Speak with your, The H-4 EAD timeline begins with the acquisition of the H-1B visa on behalf of your spouse. Be aware that the USCIS cannot adjudicate your I-765 until they make a determination about the H-1B spouses eligibility for status. 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. Any update on it ? The premium processing time for H4 visa using Form I-539 will be 30 Days USCIS H4 EAD Premium Processing The premium . Wait times for processing can be long, which puts strain on families who need both spouses to work. Citizenship and Immigration Services will temporarily suspend the biometrics submission requirement for certain applicants filing. In Washington federal court, H-4 and L-2 spouses are continuing their fight to . USCIS will also adhere to the congressional requirement that the expansion of premium processing must not cause an increase in processing times for regular immigration benefit requests. Select your form, form category, and the office that is processing your case. The premium processing fee for H4 visa extensions and change of status (COS) using form I-539 form is going to be $1,750. However, they may do so if they choose EAD. EB1-A (Alien of Extraordinary Ability) - WeGreened.Com you can request an extension from USCIS. The H4 EAD application is filed with USCIS. Most probably, early next year, USCIS will start premium processing for H4 EAD. The final regulation in federal register is effective from May 31st, 2022. A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. In some cases, in lieu of H-4 EAD premium processing, the USCIS may grant an accelerated processing time for your petition under extreme circumstances. Advance parole allows foreign nationals to re-enter the U.S. without a valid visa status. A, We need to wait. Is my understanding right. USCIS reviews the application and makes a decision. 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. Birth certificate with photo ID. The existence of any particular link is intended solely to provide viewers with information which may be of interest to them. Tags: can h4 ead be applied with i140 premium processing, can i attach my wife's h4 ead renewal application along with my h1b extension premium processing, can yo do premium processing for h4 ead, does h4 ead gets . USCIS has once again shown that the priority is EB1 and not EB2 or EB3 categories. Visa Interview ? It does not state that it has to be filed by the current employer or even the same one who filed their Form I-129. The bill included provisions for extensions, changes of status, and work authorization. Customer service is a top priority for USCIS, and we remain committed to ensuring that applicants and petitioners have timely, meaningful access to assistance and resources. USCIS will set new agency-wide backlog reduction goals, expand premium processing to additional form types, and work to improve timely access to employment authorization documents. Replace Green Card (I-90 Form) USCIS will no longer accept previous editions of this form. 2023 VisaNation, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Regulatory . Readers are responsible for obtaining such advice from their own legal counsel. H4 EAD Premium Processing And 2022 Visa Application Guide. 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. Hello Anil, firstly thanks for posting great information. There is no concrete date given yet. Visas. While being able to bring a spouse over to live with you during your H-1B stint is a great benefit of the visa, having that spouse be able to earn an income can be vital to the success of your endeavors in the country. The bill was signed into law by president on Oct 1, 2020. 116-159 . 3. Likewise, the EAD expiration date will be when your H-4 status expires. 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 . We do not have the date on when this will be effective. As of January 2017, the USCIS is providing a 180-day extension to anyone who has filed a new I-765 for their EAD and is still eligible for employment authorization. The information contained on this website is for general information purposes only and is not a substitute for legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. H4 EAD holders were upset with unreasonable processing times and took USCIS to court. The H-4 visa is considered a dual intent visa, which means that you can pursue a green card without jeopardizing your nonimmigrant status. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can publish the rule in the Federal Register. Get all 3 approved in 15 days using premium. If your EAD card is lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed, then you will need to get a replacement. The premium processing fee for most I-539 applications pertaining to B1/B2 visitor visa extensions should not exceed $1,750. So if your case is still not adjusted by then, upgrade your H4 EAD application to premium processing and attach updated I . It is not clear if USCIS will allow one single premium processing fee together for primary and dependent applications. Premium processing will now be available for: The new H1B and L1 premium fee will be $2500. You cannot release it independently while youre in the US. 2023 AM22Tech| 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. Biometric Appointment in Premium Processing Cases? The premium processing time for H4 EAD application cannot exceed 30 days. Copy of your passport. This shows how difficult it is to move the dinosaur named USCIS. Employment authorization is incorporated into the visa itself, even for spouses. There are many factors that go into the H-1B processing time including whether your spouses petition is cap-subject or cap-exempt, how busy the USCIS service center is, whether your spouse used premium processing. First, the principal H-1B worker 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). Cohen Tucker Law takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of information contained on a linked site. Before you can apply for your EAD, you will need to obtain the H-4 visa, which will likely require an interview if you are not already in the U.S. under a different nonimmigrant visa. L2 EAD. . Oct 1, 2020 - President Trump signs Bill HR 8337 into law. Wait for your date to become current 6. You can request expedited processing if you can demonstrate to USCIS that you would sustain a financial loss or urgent medical situation related to the processing of your H4 EAD status. Any idea when this will in effect. An Alternative to Premium Processing: Submit an Expedite . To answer your question, you are talking about H4 COS, which will be considered together only if you file H1B extension and then spouses H4 COS at the same time in same package. This is because the USCIS could potentially send a request for additional information or a. . . A Bill (HR 8337) that included an H4 EAD extension expedited processing option was passed and signed into law in October 2020. Theyll each have different information that would be relevant to your situation. According to the USCIS, they will not backdate the validity period of your EAD to when H-4 status was granted. We expect the announcement to be made in 7-10 days after the president signs it. You can now just pay the money instead of begging for timely approval of your EAD. As an internal management metric, cycle times are generally comparable to the agencys publicly posted median processing times. I had filed for renewal before the expiration. The requirements explicitly state that to be eligible for an H-4 EAD the H-1B spouse must have an approved Form I-140. As an H4 visa recipient, your visa isnt considered work-related. The premium processing fee for all I-765 applications will be under $1,750. It is not a priority for Trump Administration. These are their internal goals which are quite ambitious given the current pathetic situation. 3. USCIS remains committed to delivering timely and fair decisions to all we serve, said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. 6. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. H4 visa holders can leave the country and return whenever they want to, as long as their H4 visa remains valid. If you have an H4 visa and youd like to invest in stocks, bonds, startups, or private companies, its completely legal to do that. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resource constraints resulting from the prior administration, USCIS inherited a significant number of pending cases and increased processing times. 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). Pay one Premium fee for H1B, H4, EAD by filing together? The agencys publicly posted processing times show the average amount of time it took USCIS to process a particular form from when the agency received the application until a decision was made on the case. We now wait for DHS. It will be part of future phases of rollout of premium processing for forms I-539 and I-765. Could you please comment on this one. This website is not intended to provide legal advice, and therefore, does not invite or create an attorney-client relationship. USCIS processing times for H4 EAD (Employment Authorization Document) Applications. Stay up-to-date on the latest immigration law news, with the Cohen & Tucker team's insights behind the headlines. Can we expect this to be implemented soon or would it take months for USCIS to implement this? An EAD is not the same thing as an entry document, it only serves to permit you to work in the U.S. EB1-C i-140 premium to start in 2022. Working without an EAD is illegal. It can take approx. The fee for H4 EAD cannot exceed $1,500 USD as per Congress. You cannot start a job in the US until you have your EAD. Many people wait up to a full year for their documents to be processed. Based on the I-797 C for renewal, the original EAD is valid till Oct 2023. 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. See the timeline and screenshots. 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. Will there be premium processing for GC EAD as well? They aim to reach these goals by end of 2023 which itself is about 1.5 years away. USCIS may be willing to expedite certain EAD documents under emergency circumstances as long as the H-4 EAD was filed properly and in a timely manner. Other EAD categories (not H4) are eligible for the 180-day extension. any updates after the new govt is in power now? The fee for H4 COS, extensions cannot exceed $1,750 USD as per Congress. Processing times for Form I-526 are typically based on an analysis of the . Speak with your immigration attorney to learn how you can best approach your interview. Effective May 17, 2021, U.S. Is premium processing available for H4 EAD? Therefore, if your spouse changes jobs and has a new I-140 filed under his or her name, you can still file for an extension or renewal of your H-4 EAD. The best advice is to answer honestly and to say that you dont know the answer to a question if you are unsure. Hello Anil, I couldnt find a way to post a new message here. As of January 2017, the USCIS is providing a. to anyone who has filed a new I-765 for their EAD and is still eligible for employment authorization. We know that almost all H4 EAD applicants are eagerly waiting for it as they just want to save their hard-earned jobs even if they have to pay an extra fee for the approvals within 6 months. This time could be increased if your service center is busier than usual or if you are served a Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny. After that, both you and your spouse will be considered out of status and your EAD will be invalid. Licensed for 49 years. Basically, the outdated immigration system is forcing you to spend the money either by paying a premium fee or paying lawyers for filing court cases. See the below timeline for additional details. This will incur an H-4 EAD visa fee of $410. Please comment on this one. Processing time 15 to 45 days. This is particularly helpful for those that have applied for adjustment of status but need to travel out of the country in the interim. I fear my wife is going to lose her job since EAD expires end of October. These are just some questions that may or may not appear in your interview. To add salt to injury, the premium processing will be started immediately for EB1C i140 and EB2-NIW. They have plans to implement premium processing, but the plans arent immediate. If you have additional questions not included on this H-4 EAD FAQ page, please contact a VisaNation Law Group attorney to schedule a consultation. It would be great if they can give a bundle price for premium processing of all three applications together like H1B + H4 + H4 EAD. An Alter. I dont see anything anywhere. They may raise RFE for H4 EAD and request copy of I-94 or they may simply approve it based on electronic record of updated I-94 in their system. They take 2 years to reach the final rule stage and will take another 3 years to finally start implementing it. The H-4 visa is a dependent visa for the spouses of H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, and H-3 holders in the U.S. You are not permitted to work with an ITIN number. 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. USCIS premium processing will NOT be available for H4, EAD until FY 2025. The USCIS Stabilization Act set new fees for premium processing of immigration benefit requests that had been designated for premium processing as of August 1, 2020, and expanded DHS authority to establish and collect new premium processing fees, and to use those additional funds for expanded purposes. Can you please clarify about the latest news that being circulated on Twitter regarding h4 ead premium processing? I recently renewed my green card EAD; the first EAD card expired on 04/2019. USCIS rules have recently fluctuated for H1B premium processing availability. You need an EAD to perform any work inside of the United States, but you arent prohibited from working in any country where youre already authorized to work. Its only applicable if the H4 and/or EAD are applied with H1B at the same time. https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/viewEO12866Meeting?viewRule=true&rin=1615-AC73&meetingId=118573&acronym=1615-DHS/USCIS. You will also need to submit to a biometrics appointment (fingerprints), which will cost $85, bringing the total H-4 EAD cost to $495. For more help navigating your unique tax situation, seek the assistance of a tax attorney. This is a hefty sum, but 30 days is much faster than waiting 7 to 13 months for approval on your EAD application. . Key Takeaways: The H4 EAD processing time varies depending on several factors, and each USCIS service center has different time statistics. Your relationship to the H-1B immigrant. USCIS has shared a new term called cycle time. Here is a breakdown of the new USCIS premium processing time and fees. When will this good news go into effect? If youre found to be working off the books or under the table, where an employer pays you tax-free cash and doesnt list you on their payroll paperwork or employment documents, you can face deportation. 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). To qualify for an EB-3, you must either have a bachelors degree or otherwise be a skilled or unskilled worker. It is unclear whether the H4 biometric requirement is going away. It is set to be $1,500 USD as per regulation. The H4 EAD application fee is $410. USCIS will also provide premium processing option for H4 EAD applicants. One of the biggest advantages of gaining employment authorization through your H-4 status is having unrestricted work authorization which means you are not limited to a specific employer and can even consider self-employment. Starting January 25, 2023, USCIS will once again adjudicate H-4/L-2 EADs and Changes/Extensions of Status filed at the same time as H-1B/L-1 Petitions filed with Premium Processing. Youll need: Additional details regarding the requirements can be found here. Once H1/H4 are approved and then new I94 dates are posted on H1/H4, then you will have a 180-day automatic extension on the current H4 EAD. You will see the status say, sent for printing. The USCIS says on its site that, as long as you are still eligible for employment under the H-4 visa (meaning that your H-1B spouse still has an I-140 petition approved with the USCIS), then you can file a new I-765 form within 180 days of your EADs expiration. The premium processing clock would only commence after the. 1. So there is no need to worry about having your petition rejected on that account. "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 . You cant legally work without an EAD unless youre in the United States on a work-specific visa. Thanks. This fee increase applies to all categories that have premium processing before August 1, 2020. 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Sorry for that. The date of your EAD will, be valid from the date your I-765 is adjudicated or the date in which you acquire H-4 status (whichever is later). H-1B visa approvals surge to 97% in fiscal 2021. Today the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a final rule that aligns premium processing regulations with the Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act. Request H1B premium processing - You will get all 3 approvals within 15 calendar days. This would violate the EAD rules. In October 2020, Congress under the Trump Administration, passed Bill HR 8337 into law. Aside from that, to apply for an EAD you will need to file an I-765 Application for Employment Authorization. Hi Anil, Fragomen expressly disclaims any and all liability with regard to actions taken or not taken based upon the content of this website. USCIS premium processing will be available for H4, L2, EAD, F1, and EB1-C i-140 applications. SHARE . So youll like to have around 1 year for H4 EAD to be approved. It can be a tricky situation if you want to work outside the country without an EAD. Therefore, you. What Will H-4 EAD Premium Processing Cost? The USCIS provided a 540-day auto-extension based on the renewal application. This act allows nonimmigrants under H-1B status to continue to work in the U.S. while they transition to lawful permanent resident status. Fortunately, your employment authorization is not tied to any single petition, but rather the fact that an approved petition exists under your spouses name. It can have serious consequences for you and serious consequences for the person who employs you. 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. The fee is going up by over $1,000. Read More. Policies regarding automatic extension and premium processing for H4 EAD have not yet been announced. My current company has filed my H1B extension on October end but recently my spouse has to change his status to H4 and he filed earlier this week. 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. File it now, and it will be approved before premium processing is implemented. It is a service that is reserved for visas that require the I-129 and I-140 petitions, so it could potentially be used for your spouses H-1B or green card petitions.