File it now, and it will be approved before premium processing is implemented. It is not advisable to file more than 180 days before this date. 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. a week to ten days to receive your card. So there is no need to worry about having your petition rejected on that account. They take 2 years to reach the final rule stage and will take another 3 years to finally start implementing it. Update on Suit Over Government Delays in Adjudicating Approval of H-4, L-2 Visa Extensions. Below are the screenshots that indicate the same. Under normal circumstances, your H-4 EAD validity period would be granted for as long as you had H-4 status. 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. USCIS will expand premium processing for Forms I-539 (application to change/extend status), I-765 (application for employment authorization) and I-140 (immigrant petition for alien work) as soon . I dont see anything anywhere. As noted in the rule's preamble: . After approval, it takes another ten days to get approval notice by mail, and approx. The settlement was specifically to return to concurrent adjudication when filed together. . This will incur an H-4 EAD visa fee of $410. an unexpired I-94, showing valid H-4, L-2, or E dependent nonimmigrant status; Premium Processing For H4 EAD Extension. As an H4 visa recipient, your visa isnt considered work-related. The plan is to H-4 EAD premium processing fee at $1,500 for approval within 30 days. 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. This website is not sponsored or associated with any particular linked entity unless so stated. The Trump administration made certain changes to the immigration process that extended the duration of the process to an . 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. Sounds like, by the end of this year, the H4 & H4 EAD PP would be implemented eventually. Request a confidential consultation today. Will the beginning validity date on the employment authorization document be backdated by USCIS to the start of the H-4 status if the I-539 is processed before the I-765? RN Law group reached court settlement. Depending on your field of study, educational background, and the nature of your occupation, you might qualify for an. This H-4 EAD FAQ series may help you determine whether you are eligible for work authorization. An EAD is not the same thing as an entry document, it only serves to permit you to work in the U.S. The H4 EAD premium processing is not yet available even though the bill was passed in Congress (2020). As cycle times improve, processing times will follow, and applicants and petitioners will receive decisions on their cases more quickly. A year is a very long time to wait for a household that needs additional income to pay the bills. 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. This is a hefty sum, but 30 days is much faster than waiting 7 to 13 months for approval on your EAD application. 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. 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. I-140: The new fee is $2500 and the processing time is 15 . The premium processing fee for H4 visa extensions and change of status (COS) using form I-539 form is going to be $1,750. I recently renewed my green card EAD; the first EAD card expired on 04/2019. Sorry for that. If you have a significant sum of money to invest, you may qualify for an, The first and most viable solution is to obtain a work visa yourself. Heres what you need to know about the impact of H-4 EAD processing and how it may affect your family. Im waiting for Perm and will file I140 in premium. This provision will be effective after USCIS completes the regulatory process. Q. Thank you so much for the explanations! Often, you may be feeling the pain of long processing times. Learn more by scheduling a consultation today! Replace Green Card (I-90 Form) 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. To qualify for an EB-2, you must have an advanced degree or exceptional ability in your field of work. 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. 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. Yes. Hi, will there be a 60-day comment period post publication of the rule in the federal register? The Senate had passed the HR 8337 bill which adds Premium Processing service for H4 and L2 extensions including H4 EAD and L2 EAD applications. 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. In October 2020, Congress under the Trump Administration, passed Bill HR 8337 into law. If USCIS can improve its internal organization and move through its backlogs, its likely that standard H-4 EADprocessing times may decrease. This added unnecessary delays and increased processing time by up to 2 years. As an internal management metric, cycle times are generally comparable to the agencys publicly posted median processing times. To work in the US, you must first apply for an employment authorization document (EAD). The rule has come under the administrative spotlight over the past several months, meaning that a day may soon come when H-4 holders are no longer able to apply for work authorization. Fortunately, unlike the H-1B visa, there is no annual cap to the H-4 EAD. 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. Theyre misleading you and likely taking advantage of you. 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. USCIS should announce the date of the premium processing service start for the new types of applications soon.The bill has just passed Senate on Sep 30, 2020. It is unclear whether the H4 biometric requirement is going away. Key Takeaways: The H4 EAD processing time varies depending on several factors, and each USCIS service center has different time statistics. H4 EAD PP is not being implemented in near future. See the below screenshot for both H4 and H4 EAD premium processing details. 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. This is done the way that you would get a renewed card. Will USCIS backdate the beginning validity date on the EAD to the start of my H-4 status if the Form I-539 is adjudicated before Form . Today the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a final rule that aligns premium processing regulations with the Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act. They have to now wait for another 3 years to see any daylight. According to the USCIS, they will not backdate the validity period of your EAD to when H-4 status was granted. Immigration Attorney in Los Angeles, CA. Good news for families of foreign nationals working in the US! 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 may take few months at least. 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). WebI-140 and I-485 Concurrent Filing; Immigrant Visa Processing; Non Immigration Visas . 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. 5. It is set to be $1,500 USD as per regulation. When you reach the end of your H-4 EAD validity period, you will only be able to renew it if your spouse has an approved I-140. If your spouse needs assistance with their H-1B visa, we have an unparalleled track record in approvals as well. The H-4 visa requires you to submit a DS-160 form, which means that you will be responsible for a $190 fee. 11-year Top Contributor. This H-4 EAD FAQ series is intended to act as a guideline for filing. The fee for H4 COS, extensions cannot exceed $1,750 USD as per Congress. 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. This is because the USCIS could potentially send a request for additional information or a. 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. How long does it take once USCIS approves my H4 EAD before I receive a card? What are my chances of getting these approved at the earliest as my EAD expires on 10/10? Stay up-to-date on the latest immigration law news, with the Cohen & Tucker team's insights behind the headlines. A Bill (HR 8337) that included an H4 EAD extension expedited processing option was passed and signed into law in October 2020. 2023 AM22Tech| The fee for H4 EAD cannot exceed $1,500 USD as per Congress. 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. In order for individuals to maintain H-4 status, they must be in the United States and in order to apply for employment authorization you must be in H-4 status. 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. Thursday, July 8, 2021. 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. . Improving Access to Employment Authorization Documents, USCIS continues to make progress toward a temporary final rule currently named Temporary Increase of the Automatic Extension Period of Employment Authorization and Documentation for Certain Renewal Applicants.. Your H-4 visa status is tied to your H-1B spouses status. 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. There is no guarantee that USCIS will expedite your EAD processing once you ask. USCIS processing times for H4 EAD (Employment Authorization Document) Applications. 1356(u)(3)(A) and establish new benefit requests eligible for premium processing and the associated fees made available by 8 U.S.C. The bill was signed into law by president on Oct 1, 2020. A U.S. L. No. The premium processing fee for all I-765 applications will be under $1,750. We do not have the date on when this will be effective. The new card is valid from Jan 2023 till Jan 2025. Fortunately, this is not a one-time opportunity. H4 EAD is eligible for 540-day auto-extension if their H4 i94 is also valid for those 540 days. 4. While this rule is very advantageous to the spouses of H-1B holders, it may not last forever. RedBus2US.com 2010 - 2023, All Rights Reserved. USCIS will increase capacity, improve technology, and expand staffing to achieve these new goals by the end of FY 2023. During Trumps government, USCIS added the H4 biometric requirement and started processing the H4 and EAD separately. Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses | U.S. The Indian H4 EAD spouses are the ones losing their job due to extreme processing delays. H4 EAD. USCIS will also provide premium processing option for H4 EAD applicants. The company you hold a contract with might be able to refer you to a U.S.-based tax attorney with experience working for the company. It is not a priority for Trump Administration. https://www.quarles.com/newsroom/publications/impact-and-timing-of-the-dhs-final-rule-to-expand-premium-processing First, USCIS adjudicates the H4 petition, after which they start working on the H4 EAD petition. The requirements explicitly state that to be eligible for an H-4 EAD the H-1B spouse must have an approved Form I-140. | 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 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. It is not advisable to file more than 180 days before this date. Looking for U.S. government information and services? 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. If you need to file an H-4 EAD, theres no sense in waiting. what time line we can expect to use premium processing option? 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. Policies regarding automatic extension and premium processing for H4 EAD have not yet been announced. The fee will vary from $1500 to $2500 for other types of applications. Any request that involves lengthy research or correspondence with USCIS isnt eligible for premium processing. 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. No, not possible at the moment. What Is Premium Processing for H4 EAD Through USCIS? So if your case is still not adjusted by then, upgrade your H4 EAD application to premium processing and attach updated I . Pay one Premium fee for H1B, H4, EAD by filing together? Website. The statute does not specifically apply this limit to certain types of I-539 applications, such as those for B-1/B-2 applicants. 2023 VisaNation, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Automatic L2 EAD based on L1 status, H4 EAD automatic extension for 540 days or until H4 i94 is valid. Legal services are subject to a separate attorney agreement between VisaNation Law Group PLLC (formerly SGM Law Group PLLC) and you. Read More. At present, there is no option for H4 EAD extension premium processing. 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. Please contact us at INFO@COHENTUCKERLAW.COM with any questions. Now, with this new rule, H-4 holders can apply for Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) in order to work in the U.S. freely. Hefty backlogs make processing time longer, and USCIS has a plan to fix that. How to Apply H1B after 6 Years to Recapture Unused Time, US Visa Stamping within USA News: Pilot Program for H1B Renewal. Big changes announced by USCIS. After USCIS announced impending changes in March of 2022, certain EAD holders became eligible for a 540-day automatic extension. It is not clear if USCIS will allow one single premium processing fee together for primary and dependent applications. For example, the I-129 H-1B filing . He worked with Jonathan Wasden from Wasden Law and Jesse Bless on behalf of AILA. However, the H-4 EAD premium processing will decrease the wait time to just 30 days! Could you please comment on this one. USCIS processes the petition, which can take several months. 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). 2023 AM22Tech| Meaning it will start only after biometrics, fee, required documents are provided to USCIS and they believe the pre-requisites are met and application is complete. Big winners are H-4 spouses. 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. US Congress passed Bill HR 8337 which added provisions to expand premium processing for H4 Visa and H4 EAD. This H-4 EAD FAQ series is intended to act as a guideline for filing. H-1B visa approvals surge to 97% in fiscal 2021. My L2/EAD Extention was filed on 5/13 and biometrics applied on 7/23. To qualify for an EB-3, you must either have a bachelors degree or otherwise be a skilled or unskilled worker. Its best to get the advice of an experienced immigration attorney before you attempt to seek employment outside of the country. 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 best advice is to answer honestly and to say that you dont know the answer to a question if you are unsure. | Official identification issued by the government. The premium processing fee for H4 EAD using form I-765 form is going to be $1,500. Cohen Tucker Law takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of information contained on a linked site. L2 EAD. Similarly, the biometric appointment will also be a major hurdle in the H4/L2 extensions premium timeline. If you are from Mexico or Canada, you can apply for the TN visa, though the list of available occupations for this category is relatively short. Since the H-4 visa is a nonimmigrant visa, you dont have a direct method to adjust your status to lawful permanent resident with a green card. Select your form, form category, and the office that is processing your case. You cannot release it independently while youre in the US. Now, with this new rule, H-4 holders can apply for, In order to qualify for employment authorization documents, there are two main criteria. Once approved, the B2 visitor visa extension should be processed in under 30 days. As Sep21 approaching soon is there any update on Premium processing for H4, (I-539) H4EAD(I-765). 447 reviews. The text of the rule is not yet available. US Visa Approval & Refusal Rates by Country and Visa; H1B Visa Tracker (FY 2024) . Permanent residents and naturalized citizens also do not need EADs as they are authorized to work based upon their status . 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. Processing times vary from center to center, but H-4 EAD usually takes a while to process. However, you still have the potential to qualify if your spouse received an extension on their H-1B status under section 106(a) or (b) of AC21. This is much better than filing court litigations or losing a job. Any update on it ? Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. There is no concrete date given yet. The H4 EAD is a very important document for families who cannot meet all of their financial obligations on one persons income alone. The agency received 398,267 petitions for initial and continuing employment, or renewals, during the period.
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