Unfortunately, you will be responsible for all H-4 fees. Birth certificate with photo ID. Listen to both of them and make sure that your approach to investment would legally be seen as personal rather than professional. Thanks. USCIS Not Using Workforce Effectively, H4 and L2 Spouses Claim 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. Any update when will this be implemented , it is pending since oct 2020. As a result, we may see some activity for H4 and H4 EAD premium Processing by September 2021. If renewal applicants cannot file more than 6 months in advance, but processing times exceed 6 months, a gap in employment authorization will result. USCIS has shared a new term called cycle time publicly today which is a metric that they track internally in their service centers. If the record label or publishing house you work with is based outside of the United States, you can continue to create new music or write new books as a part of your professional deal. The job you are filling must be permanent and not seasonal. Any situations not addressed below should be addressed with a, Fortunately, this is not a one-time opportunity. Get all 3 approved in 15 days using premium. H-1B visa approvals surge to 97% in fiscal 2021. There also isnt a cap on the number of H4 EADs issued so you can get one as long as you meet the requirements. Thanks. COMPLETE guide to H4 EAD Extensions during COVID-19 [2022] - Stilt Blog You can apply for your own green card through an employer by pursuing the EB-1, EB-2, or. What is the current processing time of application filed in vermont SVC ? Below are the screenshots of the official text in the regulation that talks about it. The text of the rule is not yet available. Im waiting for Perm and will file I140 in premium. Long processing times for the H-4 EAD have been a major issue for many non-immigrant families currently living in America. So there is no need to worry about having your petition rejected on that account. This temporary increase in the auto-extension period will end on Oct 26, 2023. 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. It is set to be $1,750 USD as per regulation. You will also need to submit to a biometrics appointment (fingerprints), which will cost $85, bringing the total H-4 EAD cost to $495. After approval, it takes another ten days to get approval notice by mail, and approx. H4 and L2 extensions premium processing timer will not start until the primarys H1B or L1 extension has been approved. There is no concrete date given yet. Is my understanding right. Below is our H4 visa EAD FAQ series based on information released by USCIS. A C26 EAD is just the USCIS category code for the H4 visa Employment Authorization Document. This page was not helpful because the content: Immigration Relief in Emergencies or Unforeseen Circumstances, Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. I-129: The fee does not exceed $2500 and the processing time is 15 calendar days for H-1B, H-2B, E-1/E-2, L-1A/L-1B, O-1, P-1, and TN. Read More. Once the biometric screening requirement is removed, regular H4 EAD applications could be processed in a month. During Trumps government, USCIS added the H4 biometric requirement and started processing the H4 and EAD separately. The premium processing fee for current eligible categories such as H1B, L1, I-140 and other categories will be increased to $2,500 USD from $1440 USD. USCIS to Process H1B, H4 (and EAD) together Starting Jan 25 an unexpired I-94, showing valid H-4, L-2, or E dependent nonimmigrant status; Premium Processing For H4 EAD Extension. All forms of employment require an EAD. They aim to reach these goals by end of 2023 which itself is about 1.5 years away. An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, An official website of the United States government, To protect your privacy, please do not include any personal information in your feedback. Advance parole allows foreign nationals to re-enter the U.S. without a valid visa status. Investments arent considered employment. Official websites use .gov USCIS premium processing will NOT be available for H4, EAD until FY 2025. You are not permitted to work with an ITIN number. If you have not requested premium processing service, you can call 800-375-5283 for general information about the program. They have to now wait for another 3 years to see any daylight. You cannot release it independently while youre in the US. If your EAD card is lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed, then you will need to get a replacement. Yes. Youre still working in your home country. Cohen Tucker Law takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of information contained on a linked site. Divyendu, Yes, H4 EAD will also start in FY 2025. 1 LINDEN PLACE SUITE #207 | GREAT NECK | NY | 11021 | UNITED STATES. USCIS reviews the application and makes a decision. My L2/EAD Extention was filed on 5/13 and biometrics applied on 7/23. 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. However, the H-4 EAD premium processing will decrease the wait time to just 30 days! 2. When will this good news go into effect? USCIS will provide option for H1B visa holder dependents, who are H4 Visa holders, to file Extensions and Change of Status (COS) applications that are typically filed using Form I-539 in Premium processing. H4 EAD Program - Work Permit for Dependents - Donuts Some sample questions for the H-4 interview might include: These are just some questions that may or may not appear in your interview. If I dont have a Social Security Card but have an approved H4 EAD, can I start working with an ITIN? Premium processing benefits have been extended to other forms. Thanks. This H-4 EAD FAQ series may help you determine whether you are eligible for work authorization. I fear my wife is going to lose her job since EAD expires end of October. You can file Form 1-765, along with Form I-539 and the I-129 at the same time. H4 EAD Premium Processing And 2022 Visa Application Guide. Copy of your marriage certificate. For more help navigating your unique tax situation, seek the assistance of a tax attorney. Below is the summary : As per the Bill HR 8337, that was signed into law by president Trump, below are the complete details that are related to H4 Visa and H4 EAD premium processing. Now, with this new rule, H-4 holders can apply for Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) in order to work in the U.S. freely. This is a welcome step and will provide relief to many who are otherwise at the mercy of the USCIS officers to approve their EAD expedite request. USCIS H4 EAD Premium Processing. The rule codifies premium processing fees and adjudication timeframes provided by Congress. 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. Here is a breakdown of the new USCIS premium processing time and fees. View Rule - REGINFO.GOV This visa status is contingent upon the principal H visa holders status, so things such as extensions, transfers, terminations, and revocations applied to the principal holder will apply to all dependent H-4 holders. 5. USCIS rules have recently fluctuated for H1B premium processing availability. If you were to help others make investments or engage in Forex trading, you would technically be working. Lawmakers Urge DHS to Improve Processing Times for H-4/L-2 EADs - Murthy Its only applicable if the H4 and/or EAD are applied with H1B at the same time. Your spouse can obtain citizenship in the U.S. after obtaining their green card and then sponsor you for a marriage-based green card for a much faster process. 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. In this free e-book, we'll go over the top 10 filing tips every H-1B applicant and business need to know. To work in the US, you must first apply for an employment authorization document (EAD). us visa: US court grants relief for L2, H4 immigrant spouses seeking Thanks. The regulation implements Congress's October 2020 legislation directing USCIS to expand premium processing service to a number of additional case types . What does that mean? Every application we adjudicate represents the hopes and dreams of immigrants and their families, as well as their critical immediate needs such as financial stability and humanitarian protection.. No, not possible at the moment. USCIS has agreed to resume processing of H-4 and L-2 dependent visa applications submitted on Weve received many questions regarding qualifications, documentation required, processing procedures and the. 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. H4 EAD Ultimate Guide & Latest News (March 2023) - India USA Travel 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. How long H4 EAD takes after H4 approval? - Web-Information-Center L. No. 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. | The Cohen, Tucker & Ades law firm are compassionate and detail-oriented immigration lawyers who have spent the past 40 years helping immigrants live their lives in America. This provision will be effective after USCIS completes the regulatory process. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 2023 AM22Tech| 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 Again Bundles H-4, L-2 And EAD Applications With H-1B And L-1 A reputable employer would never offer to employ you without an EAD. You need to be at the screening location at the scheduled date and time. According to data released by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the approval rate for H-1B visas in fiscal 2021 from October 2020 to September this year was 97.3%. Although the bill was passed, its provisions were never implemented. Hello Anil, I couldnt find a way to post a new message here. The new card is valid from Jan 2023 till Jan 2025. H4 EAD Premium Processing News: Planned for FY 2025, $1500 Fee. The H4 EAD is a very important document for families who cannot meet all of their financial obligations on one persons income alone. How to Apply H1B after 6 Years to Recapture Unused Time, US Visa Stamping within USA News: Pilot Program for H1B Renewal. If approved, USCIS sends an approval notice to the applicant. 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. 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. But its still good news for us. After that, I could file concurrently for H1B, H4 extension and H4 EAD in premium processing per the new policy. Next steps are we wait for DHS to publish the final rule in Federal register and have an effective date. Unfortunately, H4 and H4 EAD Premium Processing will not be part of the initial rollout in FY 2022. (213) 376-3107. 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. This will incur an H-4 EAD visa fee of $410. USCIS may introduce premium processing for H-1B spouses - Events 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. The H-4 EAD premium processing takes about two weeks. "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 . Is premium processing available for H4 EAD? The bill was signed into law by president on Oct 1, 2020. You must release your work exclusively through a company outside of the United States. RedBus2US.com 2010 - 2023, All Rights Reserved. If the petition is accepted, it is passed to the National Visa Center (NVC) which issues U.S. What Will H-4 EAD Premium Processing Cost? Neither your employer nor your spouses employer is obligated to pay them. You cannot start a job in the US until you have your EAD. As the lawmakers note, the USCIS could charge up to $1,400 for each application, and this revenue could pay for the additional expense of having to expedite the processing of these cases. 4. So if your case is still not adjusted by then, upgrade your H4 EAD application to premium processing and attach updated I . how long it take effective ? Stay up-to-date on the latest immigration law news, with the Cohen & Tucker team's insights behind the headlines. VisaGrader.com Licensed for 49 years. Current USCIS Processing Times by Service Center Sorry for that. It can take approx. How Do I Request Premium Processing? | USCIS . The H-4 visa requires you to submit a DS-160 form, which means that you will be responsible for a $190 fee. The second recommendation is that the premium processing service be made available for H-4, L-2, and EAD applications. The cost of goods and services is rapidly rising in America due to unchecked inflation. Non-immigrants working in this country heavily rely on work authorization to exist in the United States, and many of them also rely on their spouses income. A U.S. USCIS has shared a new term called cycle time. Any situations not addressed below should be addressed with a qualified immigration attorney. [ 67] . HR EAD Premium Processing Explained - Cohen, Tucker & Ades 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 . How long have you and your spouse been married? Just file a new I-765 along with the filing fee to replace your card. The Trump administration made certain changes to the immigration process that extended the duration of the process to an . 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. 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 processes the petition, which can take several months. The H-4 EAD timeline begins with the acquisition of the H-1B visa on behalf of your spouse. 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. EB1-C i-140 premium to start in 2022. 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. USCIS will issue additional guidance regarding its implementation of the rule, including when premium processing will become available for each new filing type. USCIS processing times for H4 EAD (Employment Authorization Document) Applications. 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. Citizenship and Immigration Services is announcing a trio of efforts to increase efficiency and reduce burdens to the overall legal immigration system. https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=202104&RIN=1615-AC73, Looks like it is in final rule stage and date says Sep 2021 for release. USCIS seeks to include work permits in premium processing The clever part is that the premium processing timeline will not start until all the prerequisite steps for approving an application are completed. USCIS H4 EAD Processing Time - Hacking Immigration Law, LLC. Other EAD categories (not H4) are eligible for the 180-day extension. There is no mention of Biometrics in the regulation, there are some waivers for Biometrics for some time, after that we do not know. 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 . National ID document with photo. Policies regarding automatic extension and premium processing for H4 EAD have not yet been announced. This is done the way that you would get a renewed card. If you file separately, then this rule wont apply. Terms of Service 6. 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.. She will lose job in another 2 months. Therefore, as of today, you cannot premium process your H-4 EAD. Based on the I-797 C for renewal, the original EAD is valid till Oct 2023. Since the Biden administration took office, they have not acted on implementing this for a long time. The premium processing fee for H4 visa extensions and change of status(COS) using form I-539 form is going to be $1,750, The premium processing fee for H4 EAD using form I-765 form is going to be $1,500, The premium processing time for H4 EAD using Form I-765 is going to be 30 Days. This added unnecessary delays and increased processing time by up to 2 years. Select your form, form category, and the office that is processing your case. 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 plan is to H-4 EAD premium processing fee at $1,500 for approval within 30 days. H4 EAD Premium Processing - Not Available Until 2025 (Sad News USCIS on Twitter Premium processing allows people to jump the queue and get approvals or authorization without facing processing delays. H4 EAD PP is not being implemented in near future. You can raise a request after 75 days to get the latest update. USCIS to Start Collecting Fee for EB-5 Integrity Fund Key Takeaways: The H4 EAD processing time varies depending on several factors, and each USCIS service center has different time statistics. H-4 EAD Premium Processing Update - Sam Shihab & Associates, LLC You would need to get an immigrant visa through a family member or employer to be eligible to receive lawful permanent residency. This would violate the EAD rules. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. This final rule expands the categories of forms ultimately eligible for premium processing services, including Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status; Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization; and additional classifications under Form I-140. Inordinate delay in processing of H-4 work - Times of India 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. As we have been pushing for since we started litigating these in 2019, USCIS will return to concurrently processing L2 and H4/EAD filed with the I-129. The statute does not specifically apply this limit to certain types of I-539 applications, such as those for B-1/B-2 applicants.