Visa-Faq.com

what is h4 visa category

by Jessie Nader Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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An H4 visa allows visa holders to:

  • Get a driver's license
  • Pursue education
  • Open bank account (s)
  • Become eligible for an ITIN (Tax ID for IRS Tax purposes)
  • Work in the US

Rules Governing the H-4 Visa Category
The H-4 is a temporary, nonimmigrant visa category for the spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age (dependents) of individuals in one of the following nonimmigrant visa categories: H-1B (workers in a specialty occupation)
Mar 26, 2018

Full Answer

What are the options for a H4 visa holder?

Steps for H4 Visa Interview, Stamping

  • Fill out Online Non-immigrant US Visa Application Form, also called as DS-160 form
  • Pay required US Visa fee for H4 visa stamping.
  • Book appointment at a Visa Application Center (VAC) to give Biometrics ( fingerprints, photo)
  • Book appointment for in-person Visa Interview
  • Give Biometrics, Attend US Visa interview on the booked appointment date

More items...

How can you get work on a H4 visa?

What am I Allowed to Do in the US With an H4 Visa?

  • Apply for a change of status. H4 visa holders can apply for a change of status. ...
  • Get a Green Card. Also, many H4 visa holders want to know whether they can apply for a Green Card. ...
  • Study. ...
  • Open a Bank account for H4 visa holders. ...
  • Get a driver’s license. ...
  • Have access to healthcare. ...
  • Get ITIN number for H4 dependents. ...
  • Work with an H4 visa. ...

What kind of employment can a H4 visa holder get?

H4 EAD has no restriction on kind of jobs a visa holder can engage. It is up to you to find a suitable job at entry level which you can carryout. What is the better way to apply for jobs with H4 EAD? Is it necessary to do some training? A2A.

Can I start a business on h4 visa?

You can't run a business on an H4. Your intent to switch to an investor visa or whether you “keep the profit in the business” is all irrelevant. It is downright illegal to do business on an H4. You can, however, do a business if you have an H4 EAD.

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Who gets H4 visa?

The H4 visa is issued to the spouse and children (below 21) who are dependents of the H1 B holders by the USCIS. It is issued to the dependent family members who wish to travel along with the H1B holders. As long as the H1B visa holder's permit is valid, the H4 visa holder can continue their stay with their spouse.

Is H4 visa considered permanent resident?

Under H-4 status, you will be able to live and study in the U.S. Those that are the spouses of H-1B holders can also work, provided that they obtain valid Employment Authorization Documents (EAD). Additionally, as of 2015, H-4 visa holders can apply for lawful permanent residence (green cards).

What is H-4 status in USA?

An H-4 visa is a United States visa issued to dependent family members of H-1B, H-1B1, H-2A, H-2B, and H-3 visa holders to allow them to travel to the United States to accompany or reunite with the principal visa holder. A dependent family member is a spouse or unmarried child under the age of 21.

Is H4 visa employment based visa?

Currently, the H-4 visa holders must apply for work authorisation and wait for it to be processed before they can work, even though they are already in the United States and their spouse is working here.

Can H-4 dependent work in USA?

H-4 visa holders are permitted to volunteer and undertake unpaid work for non-profit organizations while in the US without an EAD. The volunteering position should be offered to US citizens and green card holders and the H-4 visa holder must not receive any financial benefit for their volunteering work.

Can my wife work on H-4 visa?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would start issuing Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) to eligible H4 visa holders. Holders of such an H4 visa EAD can now legally work or start a business in the U.S. as long as their spouse's H1B visa is valid.

How long is H-4 visa valid?

three yearsYour H-4 visa status is tied to your H-1B spouse's status. 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.

Can H-4 stay in US without H1?

4 attorney answers. As long as the H-1B principal has valid status and the H-4 beneficiary have valid status it is okay to remain in the US while H-1B travels outside the US.

How can I convert H-4 to H-1B?

To apply for H4 to H1B conversion, the applicant must submit the following documents along with those required for H1B application.Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.Supporting documents such as employment offer, support letter, and labor condition approval, (LCA)

How many H-4 visas are allowed in USA?

Characteristics of H-4 Visa RecipientsFiscal YearTotal Number of H-4 Visas IssuedCountries with Highest Number and Percent of H-4 Visas Issued2014109,1473,6782015124,4844,1542016131,0514,6012017136,3934,77019 more rows•Mar 26, 2018

Which is better H-1B or H4 EAD?

The bottom line is that when uninterrupted employment is critical for a position and career growth, H-1B employment may actually be a better (or at least, safer) option compared to H-4 EAD employment.

Can parents come on H4 visa?

Who is eligible for an H4 visa? The USCIS will allow immediate family members of H-visa holders, including the H1B visa, to obtain a H4 visa to lawfully come and stay in the US with their spouse or parent. Immediate family members include the spouse or any children under the age of 21 of the H-visa holder.

Can h4 work without EAD?

You must file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to request employment authorization as an H-4 dependent spouse. You must receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD/Form I-766) from USCIS before you may begin working.

Can I have H-1B and h4 at the same time?

Obtaining the H-4 visa does not cancel the H-1B visa. You are allowed to have more than one valid nonimmigrant visa at the same time. However, you can only use one visa at a time. So someone with both a valid H-1B visa and a valid H-4 visa would have to use one or the other when they travel to the US.

What Is an H-4 Visa?

H-4 visa holders are immediate family members of H-1B visa holders. Most H-4 visa holders are spouses who want to join their partner in a new country. They enjoy many of the benefits of living in the United States, but some limitations exist. That's why an H-1B visa is better.

Who Qualifies for an H-4 Visa?

The only people who qualify are dependents. In the United States, those people are spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21.

How Does a Person Apply for an H-4 Visa?

The applicants of both the H-1B and H-4 visas usually apply together. Otherwise, the paperwork won't get finished at the same time, leaving one person unable to join the other in the United States.

What Steps Are Required When the H-4 Visa Arrives?

To avoid issues with government officials, the new visa holder should verify all major information, such as:

What Can a Person Do With an H-4 Visa?

The holder will enjoy several privileges available to American citizens. They can:

Why Is H-4 Visa Reform so Popular?

Their belief was that the current system needed improvement. With roughly 100,000 unhappy holders, the United States had an influx of immigrants who didn't enjoy their new country. Also, these people not working were also not paying taxes, costing the government millions of dollars.

What Can an H-4 Visa Holder Do to Solve the Problem?

Someone interested in going back to school can switch to the F-1 student visa. It not only allows for educational opportunities, but also liberates the holder to work on campus . Another option is to apply for an H-1B, just as the spouse has.

Who is eligible for H4 visa?

The H4 visa is issued to the dependent family members of an H1B visa holder (spouse and children under 21 years) who want to join the H1B visa holder in the United States.

How much does an H4 visa cost?

H4 visa fees are the same as other H type visas. Currently, the application fee for this visa is $190. Pay the fee and save the receipt, as you will need it later during your application procedures.

How Long Can I Stay in the U.S With an H4 Visa?

When you apply for the H4 visa, you will have to submit your spouse’s or parent’s I-797 form. This form states the dates that the visa of your spouse or parent is valid. Based on this, the U.S Embassy will also grant you a visa with the same validity of your spouse ’s or parent’s visa.

How long is an H4 visa valid?

So if your spouse has a visa that is valid for 3 years , your H4 visa will also be valid for 3 years. That is the length of time that you can to stay in the U.S.

How to check H4 status?

You can check your visa status on the website of the U.S Embassy where you are applying by entering your application number. The Embassy will notify you once they process your H4 visa. If you have been granted the H4 visa, you will need to go for the visa stamping procedures.

Where to apply for H4 visa?

If you are outside the U.S, you will need to submit your application for H4 Visa at the U.S Embassy where your spouse or parent has applied or in your home country if you and your spouse are of different nationalities. If you are within the U.S, you can submit your H4 visa application through the USCIS.

Do H4 visa holders need health insurance?

However, although not mandatory, most US residents have health insurance anyway, simply because the cost of health care in the US is very high, and people with an average income cannot afford it if they have to pay out of pocket.

What is H4 Visa ?

H4 Visa or H4 dependent visa is the US visa category given to the spouse and children ( under 21 years of age) of all H visa holders such as H1B Visa, H1B1 Visa, H2A, H2B and H3. H4 visa is treated as dependent visa, meaning its validity and status are tied to the primary H visa holder. USCIS classifies it as given to Family of H1B visa. Unlike H1B Visa Cap, that has annual limit of 85,000 per year, H4 visas do not have any annual limit. As long as the H1B holder is counted towards H1B cap and got visa to work in US, H4 visa holders can join them and go to US.

How to Apply for H4 Visa ?

The process to apply for H4 Visa depends on the physical location where the H4 visa application currently lives. If the H4 applicant lives outside of US, then they need to apply for H4 Visa at the nearest US Consulate or US Embassy. Unlike, if the H4 applicant is already living in US on a different visa status, then they need to apply for H4 Change of Status with USCIS. Let’s look at each of the processes.

What form do I use to apply for H4 EAD?

If the H4 visa holder qualifies for H4 EAD, then they can apply for employment authorization document (EAD) with USCIS using form I-765. For step by step instructions, Read How to apply for H4 EAD, Biometrics

What does an H4 EAD card look like?

It looks like a driving license card with details of the H4 holder , with photo, including work authorization category, validity, etc.

What is an H4 approval notice?

If you have got H4 status by applying for Change of Status within US, you will get a H4 approval notice, that is basically a form I-797A that state your details, and validity of H4 status, including the I-94. Check Sample H4 Visa Approval Notice with I-94

When will H4 biometrics be suspended?

In early 2019, USCIS introduced New I-539 form, with Biometrics as an additional step under Trump administration. But, in May 2021, Biden administration suspended the H4 Biometrics for two years until May 2023. If you file H4 COS or Extension application after May 2021, you do not need to attend biometrics by default.

Will USCIS waive H4 biometrics?

USCIS has waived biometrics for H4 visas from May 2021 for two years. But, on a case by case basis, they may issue biometrics appointment. Get H4 Approval Notice with I-94 that indicates your new status and duration of the same, if approved by USCIS. USCIS is yet to introduce Premium Processing for H4 Visa, H4 EAD .

What is an H-4 visa?

An H-4 visa is a United States visa issued to dependent family members of H-1B, H-1B1, H-2A, H-2B, and H-3 visa holders to allow them to travel to the United States to accompany or reunite with the principal visa holder. A dependent family member is a spouse or unmarried child under the age of 21. If a dependent of an H-1B, H-1B1, H-2A, H-2B, or H-3 worker is already in the United States, they can apply for H-4 immigration status by filing Form I-539 for change of status with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Can an H-4 dependent spouse receive social security?

DHS amended the regulations to allow these H-4 dependent spouses to accept employment in the United States. These H-4 dependent spouses are also eligible to receive social security numbers. An H-4 dependent spouse of an H-1B nonimmigrant can file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization to obtain an employment authorization document ...

What is the H-4 Visa?

The H-4 visa is for the spouses and dependents of H visa holders who would like to accompany the principle H visa holder into the U.S. The current H visas include:

What is evidence of H-4 status?

Evidence of your H-4 status such as a copy of your I-797 approval notice or a copy of your I-94 arrival/departure card.

Can I file an I-765 for an alien worker?

If you are qualified, you can file an I-765 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker. You will need to submit the following documents as well in order to avoid unnecessary delays and requests for evidence (RFEs):

When did the H4 visa change?

On February 24, 2015, it was announced by USCIS that this rule would change beginning May 26, 2015. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would start issuing Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) to eligible H4 visa holders.

What is an H1B visa?

H1B visas are meant for people who have a degree and want to work in the United States. The visa allows them to get a job in the same field as their degree. Meanwhile, the H4 visa is something that allows you to bring your family to the States.

Why is H4 EAD important?

The H4 EAD rule was implemented back in 2015 because the United States wanted to retain skilled foreign workers. They also wanted to lower the number of interruptions to U.S. businesses, as they were causing foreigners to not want to stay in the States anymore. Therefore, the H4 EAD was made with the thought of giving some peace of mind to H1B visa holders, as well as their families. This is helpful while these families are trying to transition to lawful permanent resident status. Not to mention that the rule can decrease the economic burdens that these families used to deal with.

How to apply for H4 EAD?

To apply for an H4 EAD, you need to first own an H4 visa. That means that you need to be the spouse of someone who owns an H1B visa or the child of the holder. If you are the child, then you must be under the age of 21, and not be married.

When will H4 EAD be removed?

The removal of H4 visa EAD has officially been included in the Spring 2018 Regulatory Agenda (set to be in June 2018) titled “Removing H4 Dependent Spouses from the Class of Aliens Eligible for Employment Authorization”. What this agenda item basically said was that the DHS intends to amend the rule regarding H4 EAD’s and that they will possibly remove this EAD in line with the EO.

How much is the DHS application fee?

An application fee of $410 must be paid to the DHS before your application can be processed. Some people are exempted from paying this fee, however.

When did the H4 EAD rule come into effect?

But in 2015, the H4 EAD rule was implemented. After the rule passed, those who were eligible for it could start applying for an Employment Authorization Document. Not long ago, in 2019, USCIS came with the suggestion of getting rid of the program. However, it’s still not certain whether their request will be accepted or not – it’s all still up for debate.

What is a K visa?

K nonimmigrant visas – For U.S. citizen fiancé (e) and spouse for immigration related purposes. Refer to Immigrant Visa Categories.

What determines what type of visa is required?

The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying. When you apply at a U.S embassy or consulate, a consular officer will determine based on laws, whether you are eligible to receive a visa, and if so, which visa category is appropriate.

What does a consular officer determine when applying for a visa?

When you apply at a U.S embassy or consulate, a consular officer will determine based on laws, whether you are eligible to receive a visa, and if so, which visa category is appropriate. ALL / ALL /.

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