Can a Spouse of an H1B Visa Holder Work In the US?

Until 2015 the spouses of H1B visa holders were not permitted to work in the US, unless they had secured their own H1B visa sponsor and petition approval. However, that rule changed last year, and they can now submit an application for employment authorization based solely on their spouse’s H1B visa.

This is a welcome rule change that could allow over 50,000 spouses to work in the US, but there are still a few requirements to be met. Here is an overview of the essential points to know about eligibility and the approval process to begin working.

Eligibility to Work

This rule change relates specifically to H1B visa holders, since other visas such as the L-1 already give spouses work authorization. So, the first step toward eligibility is that the couple is in the US on an H1B visa.

To be eligible to work, the spouse must have a valid H-4 dependent spouse visa related to the H1B visa holder’s status. The H1B visa holder must also be in the process of seeking employment-based permanent residency in the US, or a ‘green card’. If the H1B visa holder has not begun seeking a green card then they should look into it, since it does takes some time to get a receipt number for a Permanent Residency Application.

What this means is that the H-4 spouses of relatively new H1B visa holders working in the US may not be eligible, since their spouse may not have yet begun the green card process. This is probably the only real barrier to getting approval to work.

What are the Required Documents?

Just as with a formal visa application, there are certain requirements to prove that the H-4 visa holder is eligible to work under this new program. To apply the following are required:

All of these documents should be submitted together along with the fee to the USCIS.

What is the Process for Approval and When Can I Start Working?

When all of the documents and application are submitted, the USCIS may take at least 90 days to process and issue the authorization. There is no premium processing service available for Form I-765 since it is not really a visa application, and is based an already valid H1B visa. So, H-4 spouses will have to wait the 90 days and cannot accelerate the time frame.

Although the H-4 spouse can look for employment opportunities, they cannot begin actually working until the application is approved and they receive a work permit (Employment Authorization Document).

Because the work permit is based on the spouse’s H1B visa, the H-4 spouse can work as long as the H1B visa is valid. This would include any extensions of stay, and H1B visa transfers.

Why is This an Important Change in Visa Rules?

This is a significant rule change from last year since it potentially grants work status to a number of non-immigrants that is nearly equal to the annual H1B visa cap of 60,000. For some reason, the H1B visa program had previously excluded dependent spouses, while other visas such as the L-1 intercompany transfer allowed work authorization.

Now, dependent spouses can work and pursue their career and contribution to the household, while the couple seeks permanent residency in the US. If you have questions about the H1B visa program or H-4 spousal work authorization, please contact us.

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  • May 11th, 2016
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30 thoughts on “Can a Spouse of an H1B Visa Holder Work In the US?”

  1. What is the process for The H1B visa holder to seek employment-based permanent residency in the US? Can the H1B visa holder apply for the same on his own or the H1B visa holder’s employer only needs to apply for it.?

  2. Which stage of the green card application does the H1B visa holder need to be in forbthd spouse to get work authorization? Does a application for PERM count or do you need 140 approval?

  3. u need aproved i 140.. and employer has to apply.. if you change employer/i 140 is revoked.. you need to re initiate the process .. from PERM > i 140.. All this while( changing employer/revoke) the spouse is not considered EAD ( Eligible to work)

  4. hi, can h4 visa holders start a food blog (just posting articles for a cooking passion) without doing any monetization through the blog.Please reply

  5. Hi, My wife is holding a H1B visa, she is working in US for the past two years, she hasn’t applied for Green Card. If my wife sponsors me H4 Visa will i be able to work. Can you help me out with that.

    1. Hi,
      Did you get any answer to your query?

      I am also in the same situation.My wife is having H1B visa and we are thinking whether I should quit my job here in India and go with her or not?
      Big question is whether I will be able to get job there.

      Please reply if you have any answers.

  6. Hello,
    I wanted to know if I plan to come to USA on a student visa and then start a beauty course (after having myself converted to dependent/spouse visa) can I work from home? Would I be needing an EAD for that? How long can this process take?
    Thank you.

  7. What happens once the H1B visa holder has become a green card holder? Is the spouse still permitted to work on the H4 EAD then?

  8. I am a US citizen and my wife is a citizen of Mexico… How do we apply for her H1B VISA and the cost of it?

    -James-

  9. Hi,
    I am on H1-B Visa (No GC yet) and my wife did PhD from UK. I need information regarding her working in US is possible as she is on H4 right now. Also, what other options I have?

  10. i am doctor,on H1B visa ,can my husband work on a dependent H4 visa,if yes what work he can,can he work in software company as graphic designer,is there any work limits and salary limits

  11. what is the other options related to study to get job for dependent??
    I’ve completed MBA in HR, so I want to start career in USA.
    Give me the information about what do I next for career growth…..like as courses, study with job oriented
    reply must …..waiting

      1. Hi I’m in H4 visa and I have 5 yrs of experience in Talent Management in India .How can I apply for job in US ?while I’m already in US

      2. Hi, My wife has H1B visa and I will go with her to US in next couple of months, So please guide me can I work in US on H4 visa.
        And also suggest can I apply H1B Visa independantly so that I will be able to work in USA.

        Please help me out in this regards.
        Thanks
        Krishan Sharma
        +91-9953996595

  12. Hi, I am currently on L2 with EDA and employed. The EDA expires in June 2018 but the visa L2 expires in December. My husband has applied for Green card but we still not have I-140 approved. We will be on H1B and H4 starting December.
    – Is that correct that I cannot keep working with H4 and old EDA that expires in June but was issued with L2 visa?
    – Can I reside in the US with an H4 and work remotely for a company outside the US?

    Please reply
    Thanks

  13. Hi,

    Currently am a student in F1 visa, My fiance is an HR with 8 years of experience in India. Am trying for his job in US. Could you suggest how to get a job for him?

  14. For applying for a US visa you will need a digital photograph. Certain requirements must be met by the photo. This image can be obtained by a excellent photographer or studio if you mention photographs required for the us visa application.

  15. Husband is on h1b(visa expiry in 2 years) and wife working on h4 EAD(visa expiry is in 2 years).
    If husband go outside US for 1 year, will wife be eligible to continue working in US for that 1 year?

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