What is H4 visa and how does it work?
What is H4 Visa? H4 Visa or H4 dependent visa is the US visa category given to the spouse and children (under 21 years of age) of all H visa holders such as H1B Visa, H1B1 Visa, H2A, H2B and H3. H4 visa is treated as dependent visa, meaning its validity and status are tied to the primary H visa holder.
How can I Check my H4 visa status?
You can check your visa status on the website of the U.S Embassy where you are applying by entering your application number. The Embassy will notify you once they process your H4 visa. If you have been granted the H4 visa, you will need to go for the visa stamping procedures.
How can I Change my H1B to H4 visa?
The fundamental requirement to get H4 visa, is to be either married to H1B holder as spouse or be a child of H1B holder and under 21 years of age. During visa interview at a US Consulate or application to USCIS for H4 Change of status, you would need to submit all the proofs related to your relationship with the H1B holder.
How long can I stay in the US with a H4 visa?
Based on this, the U.S Embassy will also grant you a visa with the same validity of your spouse’s or parent’s visa. So if your spouse has a visa that is valid for 3 years, your H4 visa will also be valid for 3 years. That is the length of time that you can to stay in the U.S.
What is the annual limit for H4 visa?
Unlike H1B Visa Cap, that has annual limit of 85,000 per year, H4 visas do not have any annual limit. As long as the H1B holder is counted towards H1B cap and got visa to work in US, H4 visa holders can join them and go to US.
Can spouse of H4 visa holder work in USA?
H4 EAD – Work on an H4 Visa. Historically, spouses of H1B visa holders were not allowed to work in the U.S. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued immediate family members an H4 visa, which only allows them to lawfully live in the U.S. with an H1B visa holder.
Can a H-4 visa holder apply for an extension?
H-4 dependents can apply for an extension to remain in the United States with their spouse or parents, but the length of stay cannot exceed that of the primary worker. Further, H-4 dependents can apply to change to another nonimmigrant status.
Can a H4 visa holder apply for SSN?
In general, as H4 visa holders are not allowed to work, they are not eligible for SSN, unless they qualify for H4 EAD. If you are eligible for H4 EAD, then you can either apply for it directly using your EAD application or apply for it separately at SSN office.