H4 Visa
The H4 visa is a dependent visa for the spouses and children of H-1B visa holders. It allows the spouse and children to live and work in the United States while the H-1B holder is employed in the United States.
Who is eligible for an H4 visa?
The following are eligible for an H4 visa:
- The spouse of an H-1B visa holder
- The children of an H-1B visa holder under the age of 21
What are the benefits of an H4 visa?
The H4 visa allows the spouse and children of an H-1B visa holder to live and work in the United States. It also allows them to attend school and receive medical care.
What are the limitations of an H4 visa?
The H4 visa does not allow the spouse or children of an H-1B visa holder to work without a work permit. Additionally, the H4 visa is not a path to permanent residency or citizenship.
How to apply for an H4 visa?
To apply for an H4 visa, you must submit the following documents to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country:
- A completed Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker
- A copy of your H-1B visa
- A copy of your passport
- A birth certificate for each of your children
- A marriage certificate
- Evidence of financial support
How long does it take to get an H4 visa?
The processing time for an H4 visa can vary depending on the country where you are applying. However, it typically takes between 3 and 6 months.
Can you work on an H4 visa?
No, you cannot work on an H4 visa without a work permit. To get a work permit, you must submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to USCIS.
What are the requirements for getting an H4 work permit?
To get an H4 work permit, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be the spouse or child of an H-1B visa holder
- You must be in the United States legally
- You must have a valid H4 visa
- You must have a job offer from a U.S. employer
- You must be able to pay the filing fee
How to apply for an H4 work permit?
To apply for an H4 work permit, you must submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to USCIS. You can file Form I-765 online or by mail.
FAQ
Q: Can I get a green card on an H4 visa?
A: No, you cannot get a green card on an H4 visa. The H4 visa is not a path to permanent residency or citizenship.
Q: Can I travel outside of the United States on an H4 visa?
A: Yes, you can travel outside of the United States on an H4 visa. However, you must have a valid H4 visa and a valid passport.
Q: What happens if my H-1B visa holder spouse loses their job?
A: If your H-1B visa holder spouse loses their job, your H4 visa will be automatically revoked. You will have 60 days to leave the United States.
| Feature | Answer |
|---|---|
| H4 visa | A type of non-immigrant visa for the spouses and children of H-1B visa holders |
| H4 visa work permit | A document that allows H4 visa holders to work in the United States |
| H4 visa job | Any job that is not on the H-1B visa list of ineligible occupations |
| H4 visa spouse | The spouse of an H-1B visa holder |
| H4 visa restrictions | H4 visa holders cannot apply for green cards on their own |
I. What is an H4 visa?
An H4 visa is a type of non-immigrant visa that allows the spouse or children of an H-1B visa holder to live and work in the United States.
II. Who is eligible for an H4 visa?
An H4 visa is a type of dependent visa that allows the spouse and children of H-1B visa holders to live and work in the United States.
To be eligible for an H4 visa, you must be the spouse or child of an H-1B visa holder who is currently working in the United States. You must also be a citizen of a country that is eligible for an H4 visa.
The H4 visa is valid for the same length of time as the H-1B visa that your spouse holds.
If your spouse’s H-1B visa is renewed, your H4 visa will automatically be renewed as well.
If your spouse’s H-1B visa expires, your H4 visa will also expire.
IV. What are the limitations of an H4 visa?
The following are some of the limitations of an H4 visa:
- H4 visa holders are not allowed to work in the United States.
- H4 visa holders are not allowed to travel outside of the United States without the permission of their H1-B principal.
- H4 visa holders are not eligible for most government benefits, such as Social Security and Medicare.
Can you work on an H4 visa?
No, you cannot work on an H4 visa. H4 visa holders are dependents of H1B visa holders and are not allowed to work in the United States.
Can H4 visa holders work in the United States?
H4 visa holders are not allowed to work in the United States. However, they may be eligible for an H4 work permit, which allows them to work for a U.S. employer.
To qualify for an H4 work permit, you must:
- Be the spouse or child of an H1B visa holder
- Be a lawful permanent resident (LPR) or have a pending green card application
- Have a valid Social Security number
- Have a job offer from a U.S. employer that is willing to sponsor you for an H4 work permit
The H4 work permit is valid for the same period of time as the H1B visa holder’s visa. If the H1B visa holder’s visa expires, the H4 work permit will also expire.
If you are an H4 visa holder and you are interested in working in the United States, you should contact an immigration lawyer to learn more about the H4 work permit process.
Can you work on an H4 visa?
No, you cannot work on an H4 visa. The H4 visa is a dependent visa, which means that it is only issued to the spouse or children of a foreign national who is in the United States on a work visa. H4 visa holders are not allowed to work in the United States, and they must obtain a work permit in order to do so.
What are the requirements for getting an H4 work permit?
In order to get an H4 work permit, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be the spouse or child of an H1B visa holder.
- You must be physically present in the United States.
- You must have a valid H4 visa.
- You must have a job offer from a U.S. employer that is willing to sponsor you for a work permit.
- You must be able to prove that you have the skills and experience necessary to perform the job.
Once you have met all of the requirements, you can apply for an H4 work permit by filing Form I-765 with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The processing time for an H4 work permit can vary, but it typically takes between 3 and 6 months.
If your H4 work permit is approved, you will be issued a Form I-766, which is a temporary work authorization document. Your Form I-766 will be valid for up to 6 years, and it can be renewed.
Once you have an H4 work permit, you are eligible to work for any U.S. employer. However, you are not eligible for certain types of employment, such as government jobs or jobs that require a security clearance.
IX. FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the H4 visa:
- Can I work on an H4 visa?
- What are the requirements for getting an H4 work permit?
- How to apply for an H4 work permit?
- What are the benefits of getting an H4 work permit?
- What are the limitations of getting an H4 work permit?
- What happens if my H1B spouse loses their job?
- What happens if I get married to a US citizen?
- What happens if I get divorced from my H1B spouse?
For more information on the H4 visa, please visit the USCIS website.
H4 Visa FAQ
Q: What is an H4 visa?
An H4 visa is a dependent visa for the spouse or children of an H1B visa holder.
Q: Who is eligible for an H4 visa?
The spouse or children of an H1B visa holder are eligible for an H4 visa.
Q: What are the benefits of an H4 visa?
H4 visa holders are allowed to live and work in the United States as long as their H1B visa holder spouse is employed.
Q: What are the limitations of an H4 visa?
H4 visa holders are not allowed to apply for a green card on their own. They must either wait for their H1B visa holder spouse to get a green card or apply for a green card through another family member or employer.
Q: How to apply for an H4 visa?
To apply for an H4 visa, you must submit the following documents to the US consulate or embassy in your home country:
* A completed Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker
* A completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
* A copy of your passport
* A copy of your H1B visa holder spouse’s passport
* A copy of your H1B visa holder spouse’s employment authorization document (EAD)
* A copy of your marriage certificate
* A copy of your children’s birth certificates (if applicable)
Q: How long does it take to get an H4 visa?
The processing time for an H4 visa can vary depending on the country where you are applying. However, it typically takes between 3 and 6 months.
Q: Can you work on an H4 visa?
Yes, H4 visa holders are allowed to work in the United States as long as their H1B visa holder spouse is employed.
Q: What are the requirements for getting an H4 work permit?
To get an H4 work permit, you must submit the following documents to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):
* A completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
* A copy of your passport
* A copy of your H4 visa
* A copy of your H1B visa holder spouse’s employment authorization document (EAD)
* A copy of your marriage certificate
* A copy of your children’s birth certificates (if applicable)
Q: How to apply for an H4 work permit?
To apply for an H4 work permit, you must submit the following documents to the USCIS:
* A completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
* A copy of your passport
* A copy of your H4 visa
* A copy of your H1B visa holder spouse’s employment authorization document (EAD)
* A copy of your marriage certificate
* A copy of your children’s birth certificates (if applicable)
Q: What are the benefits of getting an H4 work permit?
Getting an H4 work permit allows you to work legally in the United States and earn a salary. It also allows you to contribute to the US economy and become more involved in your community.
Q: What are the limitations of getting an H4 work permit?
An H4 work permit is only valid for the duration of your H4 visa. If your H4 visa expires, your work permit will also expire. You will need to apply for a new H4 visa and work permit if you want to continue working in the United States.
Q: What are the risks of getting an H4 work permit?
There are some risks associated with getting an H4 work permit. For example, if you lose your job, you may not be able to find another job and you may have to leave the United States.