Theyll each have different information that would be relevant to your situation. Select your form, form category, and the office that is processing your case. USCIS Temporarily Suspends Biometrics Requirement for Certain Form I-539 Applicants. So is it a problem only for new EAD applications? 1. Answer: Unfortunately, while USCIS rules have been fluctuating in the last few years for premium processing availability for H-1B principal visa holders, there hasn't been much movement for this option for H-4 EAD holders. Fee varies from $1500-$2500. 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. To request premium processing on or after January 30, the Form I-907 (Request for Premium Processing)?version dated November 3, 2022?must be filed. Change US Consulate interview location on DS-160 after Submission? Readers are responsible for obtaining such advice from their own legal counsel. Not sure which option is right for you? Official identification issued by the government. 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. It is set to be $1,500 USD as per regulation. USCIS committed to improving processing times for petitions and key documents back in March 2022, which we reported on in detail here. Listen to both of them and make sure that your approach to investment would legally be seen as personal rather than professional. On May 26, 2015, the USCIS began accepting applications for H-4 dependent spouses to obtain employment authorization. USCIS responded by implementing an automatic 180-day extension to H4 EAD. See the timeline and screenshots. There is no guarantee that USCIS will expedite your EAD processing once you ask. View Profile. 3. Hello @Anil_Gupta , Thanks for your prompt response. H4 EAD Program - Work Permit for Dependents - Donuts EB1-C i-140 premium to start in 2022. Why US Visa Status on CEAC says Refused for 221g ? These goals are internal metrics that guide the backlog reduction efforts of the USCIS workforce and affect how long it takes the agency to process cases. What's New on VisaGrader? Once Biden administration takes office, they make take it up. Your personal information is protected by our Privacy Policy. She will lose job in another 2 months. https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/viewEO12866Meeting?viewRule=true&rin=1615-AC73&meetingId=118573&acronym=1615-DHS/USCIS. 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. Many households need two incomes in order to make ends meet. It may take few months at least. To deny a work permit for a LEGAL . 6. . 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. What's worse, if concurrently filing the H-4 EAD renewal . Most probably, early next year, USCIS will start premium processing for H4 EAD. The bill included provisions for extensions, changes of status, and work authorization. See the below timeline for additional details. In order to qualify for employment authorization documents, there are two main criteria. Each . Since the Biden administration took office, they have not acted on implementing this for a long time. H4 EAD Premium Processing - Not Available Until 2025 (Sad News The H4 EAD is a very important document for families who cannot meet all of their financial obligations on one persons income alone. This act allows nonimmigrants under H-1B status to continue to work in the U.S. while they transition to lawful permanent resident status. To work in the US, you must first apply for an employment authorization document (EAD). There is no mention of Biometrics in the regulation, there are some waivers for Biometrics for some time, after that we do not know. 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. 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. The plan is to H-4 EAD premium processing fee at $1,500 for approval within 30 days. It is not a priority for Trump Administration. H4-EAD Premium Processing Time - TaxUni 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. 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. These are their internal goals which are quite ambitious given the current pathetic situation. Licensed for 49 years. The agency received 398,267 petitions for initial and continuing employment, or renewals, during the period. The regulation implements Congress's October 2020 legislation directing USCIS to expand premium processing service to a number of additional case types . Thanks. The premium processing time for H4 visa using Form I-539 will be 30 Days. | When will this good news go into effect? USCIS Again Bundles H-4, L-2 And EAD Applications With H-1B And L-1 Any idea when OMB will process this request. The Indian H4 EAD spouses are the ones losing their job due to extreme processing delays. Its best to get the advice of an experienced immigration attorney before you attempt to seek employment outside of the country. H-4 EAD FAQs | Common H-4 EAD Questions Answered - VisaNation Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), H.R.8337 116th Congress (2019-2020): Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act | Congress.Gov, Automatic Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Extension | USCIS. Based on the predictions, an estimated 179,600 H-4 visa holders are eligible for this work authorization. DHS hopes to have H-4 EAD premium processing available by the year 2025. Visa Interview ? US Congress passed Bill HR 8337 which added provisions to expand premium processing for H4 Visa and H4 EAD. H4 EAD Application processing time for applying for approval (without RFE) usually takes 30-90 days from the date of receipt. Speak with your, The H-4 EAD timeline begins with the acquisition of the H-1B visa on behalf of your spouse. Wait times for processing can be long, which puts strain on families who need both spouses to work. 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. Below is the timeline of events, official news updates, and the latest actions on the H4 Visa and H4 EAD premium processing topic. 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. You can return home and perform temporary work in your home country. I have y wife h4 pending for 4 months. If you have questions about making investments without an EAD, you should speak to both a financial advisor and an immigration attorney. This H-4 EAD FAQ series is intended to act as a guideline for filing. It would be great if they can give a bundle price for premium processing of all three applications together like H1B + H4 + H4 EAD. 2. H4 visa holders can leave the country and return whenever they want to, as long as their H4 visa remains valid. H-1B Lottery Rule Changes Could See Reversal, March 2023 Visa Bulletin: Analysis & Predictions. 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 . 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. You should be able to upgrade your existing pending H4 and H4 EAD applications to premium once the USCIS starts accepting them. 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. 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. Processing Times 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). 5. If you need to file an H-4 EAD, theres no sense in waiting. USCIS will consider requests to expedite the processing of certain documents if the circumstances are severe. 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). The premium processing time for H4 visa using Form I-539 will be 30 Days. However, processing times at all four USCIS Service Centers for standalone H-4 EAD renewals are currently listed at 8.5 to 12 months. USCIS has reached a settlement agreement to process the H1B, H4, and EAD together (as they used to do earlier) starting Jan 25, 2023. 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. 116-159 . The 540-day extension does not apply to H4 EAD, so H4 EAD holders need to plan accordingly. It is not advisable to file more than 180 days before this date. This shows how difficult it is to move the dinosaur named USCIS. The best advice is to answer honestly and to say that you dont know the answer to a question if you are unsure. Its easy to request an expedited EAD if youre a healthcare worker or a childcare worker. 4. During Trumps government, USCIS added the H4 biometric requirement and started processing the H4 and EAD separately. | Powered by Edge Creative, COHEN, TUCKER & ADES P.C.42 BROADWAY SUITE #310 | NEW YORK | NY | 10004 | UNITED STATES | (212) 840-0050 | INFO@COHENTUCKERLAW.COM RedBus2US.com 2010 - 2023, All Rights Reserved. Please contact us at INFO@COHENTUCKERLAW.COM with any questions. But its still good news for us. Therefore, as of today, you cannot premium process your H4 EAD. 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. How Early Can I File My H-4 and H-4 EAD Renewals? USCIS will no longer accept previous editions of this form. 11-year Top Contributor. 4. Fee varies from $1500-$2500. Visa Requirements to Work in the U.S. as a Person from Morocco - USCIS Fortunately, your employment authorization is not tied to any single petition, but rather the fact that an approved petition exists under your spouses name. The settlement was specifically to return to concurrent adjudication when filed together. Its best practice to respond as early as possible and discuss it with your immigration attorney. If you have an H4 visa and youd like to invest in stocks, bonds, startups, or private companies, its completely legal to do that. The H4 EAD application fee is $410. They have a thorough knowledge of the H-1B process and this new EAD rule. Can you please clarify about the latest news that being circulated on Twitter regarding h4 ead premium processing? This is a hefty sum, but 30 days is much faster than waiting 7 to 13 months for approval on your EAD application. 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. USCIS Plans to implement H4 and H4 EAD premium processing by FY 2025. Read: USCIS opens H-1B registration for FY 2023 on March 1 (January 29, 2022) Currently, premium processing is limited to certain Form I-129 nonimmigrant worker petitions and certain Form I-140 . Automatic L2 EAD based on L1 status, H4 EAD automatic extension for 540 days or until H4 i94 is valid. These are just some questions that may or may not appear in your interview. 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. You can file Form 1-765, along with Form I-539 and the I-129 at the same time. Yes. Any update on it ? In Washington federal court, H-4 and L-2 spouses are continuing their fight to . Your use of this website and our software platform are subject to VisaNation Inc.'s privacy policy and terms of use. H4 Employment Authorization Document (EAD) - USCIS Guide A copy of your last EAD. Receiving a request for evidence can surely add time to your case. Current EAD Processing Time 2022 - H4, L2, I-485 Green Card - USA (2023) At this time, many people just file an EAD lawsuit court case which itself costs about $3-4k. This act allows nonimmigrants under H-1B status to continue to work in the U.S. while they transition to lawful permanent resident status. USCIS reviews the application and makes a decision. https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2022-06742.pdf?fbclid=IwAR008lEOSrtS-hIGENKHT6GfB3Hs381SojHMGvKb9ECyuntimbiGPYSlfXw, There is some update, looks like meeting is scheduled for 02/09/2022 for implementation of this bill. 4. It is also a violation of your nonimmigrant status. 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). Legal services are provided by VisaNation Law Group PLLC, a Florida professional limited liability company. | The good news is that USCIS has just released an updated H4 EAD processing time. If your spouse has an approved I-140 filed with the USCIS (which they will need if you are to qualify for an EAD), then you can wait until your spouse obtains their green card so that they can sponsor you for an F2A green card. Below are the screenshots that indicate the same. Today the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a final rule that aligns premium processing regulations with the Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act. This is done the way that you would get a renewed card. Disclaimer: Website, software platform and administrative support are provided by VisaNation Inc., a Delaware corporation. H4 EAD Premium Processing News: Planned for FY 2025, $1500 Fee. I recently renewed my green card EAD; the first EAD card expired on 04/2019. Wait for your Social Security card to arrive (takes about 5-6 weeks). Specifically, USCIS announced the following goals: I-765 Employment Authorization Document (EAD): within three months. It is called public law 116 159. Premium processing benefits have been extended to other forms. H-4 EAD Premium Processing Update - Sam Shihab & Associates, LLC VisaGrader.com 1356(u)(3)(B), but limited to those conditions and eligibility requirements set forth by Section 4102(b)(1) of the Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act, Pub. H4 EAD PP is not being implemented in near future. 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. CEAC Website, Errors Info, USCIS H1B Registration Online System, Tool Flow, Screens. However, the H-4 EAD premium processing will decrease the wait time to just 30 days! @blesjm1 @rnlawgroup #SaveH4EAD https://t.co/jzdTZXhHE0. As an H4 visa recipient, your visa isnt considered work-related. H4 EAD holders were upset with unreasonable processing times and took USCIS to court. Fee varies from $1500-$2500. Citizenship and Immigration Services will temporarily suspend the biometrics submission requirement for certain applicants filing. The fee for H4 COS, extensions cannot exceed $1,750 USD as per Congress. OMB review is the last step in the rulemaking process before U.S. Its still a long waiting period. Theyve also created time cycles for processing certain types of applications, giving themselves a maximum of 6 months to process many important types of documents. USCIS remains committed to delivering timely and fair decisions to all we serve, said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. Just file a new I-765 along with the filing fee to replace your card. Processing time 15 to 45 days. USCIS rules have recently fluctuated for H1B premium processing availability. This will incur an H-4 EAD visa fee of $410. All requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Sorry for that. Below is our H4 visa EAD FAQ series based on information released by USCIS. 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. 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. Request a confidential consultation today. Carl Michael Shusterman. "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 . Other EAD categories (not H4) are eligible for the 180-day extension. Inordinate delay in processing of H-4 work - Times of India Once approved, the EAD will be processed in under 30 days. Even if you were authorized to work under a different visa, you will need to file for a new EAD for your H-4. L2 EAD. So, I used the reply option. What Is Premium Processing for H4 EAD Through USCIS? You can apply for your own green card through an employer by pursuing the EB-1, EB-2, or. Unfortunately, H4 and H4 EAD Premium Processing will not be part of the initial rollout in FY 2022. Unfortunately, premium processing is not available for Form I-765. Depending on your field of study, educational background, and the nature of your occupation, you might qualify for an O-1 or even an H-1B visa yourself. You cannot start a job in the US until you have your EAD.