H-4 Visa | H4 Visa Application, Cost & Requirements | Total Law (2024)

Page Contents

• What is the H4 Visa?
• Who is eligible for an H4 visa?
• What are the required documents for the H4 visa?
• What is the H4 visa application process?
• What to expect from the H4 Visa Interview
• How can I extend my H4 visa?
• What happens if my H4 is denied?
• Can H-4 visa holders work in the US?
• How to Apply for the Employment Authorization Document
• FAQs

What Is The H4 Visa?

The H4 visa is issued to dependents of H-1B, H-1B1, H-2A, H-2B, and H-3 visa holders. Dependents are spouses and unmarried children under 21.

A H4 dependent visa allows you to:

• Work – by applying for Employment Authorization
• Get a driver’s license
• Go to school
• Open bank accounts in the US

At Total Law, our immigration lawyers have helped several individuals with a successful H4 visa application. For assistance and legal guidance with applying for an H4 visa, call us on +1 844 290 6312 or email info@total.law.

Who Is Eligible For An H4 Visa?

Dependent family members of H-type visa holders are eligible for the H4 dependent visa. Dependents include spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21.

If your child depends on you financially or otherwise but is over 21, they are not eligible for an H4 visa. Also, if a child comes with you to the US with an H4 visa, once they turn 21, they will have to change to another non-immigration visa status, for example, the F-1 student visa or visitor visas, to remain in the US.

You’re eligible for an H4 visa as long as your family member has a valid H-1B, H1B1, H2A, H2B, or H3 visa. If the principal has an H1B visa and loses their job, 60 days is given to the H4 visa holder to explore other visa routes.

Nevertheless, it’s best to seek advice from an immigration lawyer to ensure you meet the requirements and have the right documents to increase the chances of your application being processed faster and successful. For assistance and legal guidance with applying for an H4 visa, call us on+1 844 290 6312or emailinfo@total.law.

What Are The Documents Required For The H4 Visa?

Before you begin your H4 visa application process, ensure you have the following documents:

• Copy of spouse or parent’s passport
• Copy of the principal H visa
• Payslips from the H-type visa holder’s current place of work
• Copy of the H 1B visa holder’s employment verification letter and Income tax return of the principal (if they are already working in the U.S.)

Additionally, you must provide supporting documents to prove that the dependent family member is the spouse or child of the primary H-type visa holder. These documents may include:

• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Wedding photo album
• Wedding invitation card

When in doubt about how much information to provide to prove the connection between the primary visa holder and H-4 dependent, more is often better than less.

What Is The H4 Visa Application Process?

You can apply for the H-4 visa while the principal spouse or parent is applying for the H visas or after.

To start the H4 visa application, you must fill the Form DS-160 online. When you start the application, you will get the DS-160 barcode on a confirmation page. Ensure that you save or print it as you will need it in setting up your interview.

While applying, you also pay the application fee. The fee is $190 currently. Also, save the receipt as you will need it later.

After filling the DS-160, you should schedule an interview appointment with the US embassy in your home country or USCIS if in the United States. Once you do this, you will get a letter of confirmation, which, again, you should save.

Ensure you attend your interview on the scheduled date with the required and application documents. During the interview, you will be asked some questions to determine if you will be granted an H-4 visa.

Tens of thousands of H-4 visas are approved every year. If you have received an approval notice concerning your H4 visa application, you need to go for the last step in the process, which is visa stamping.

Then you pick up your permit to live legally in the US for as long as it’s valid. The H4 visa is typically valid as long as your spouse or parent’s H-type visa is.

What To Expect From The H4 Visa Interview

When going for the H4 interview, go with the supporting documents mentioned above as well as other documents that include:

• Filled DS-160 form
• Receipt of the payment for the application
• Two passport-sized photographs
• Interview appointment confirmation

During the interview, you will be asked some visa interview questions to investigate the different aspects of your application and your eligible status.

There are no fixed questions. Each applicant’s questions are based on their circ*mstances; they establish if they have a genuine relationship with the principal H-type visa holder, adequate financial support, and intend not to engage in illegal activities in the United States.

Answer the questions truthfully and provide the evidence and supporting documents to ensure a successful application.

If you are granted an H-4 visa after the interview, you will receive a notification from the US Embassy where you applied. You can check the status of your application on the USCIS website by entering your application number.

When you’re granted the H-4 visa, you are required to go for stamping and to pick up your permit. With that, you qualify to live, open a bank account, go to school, and perform other permitted activities for H-4 visa holders.

How Can I Extend My H4 Visa?

The expiration date of the H4 visa should be the same date that the primary H visa that your spouses or parents have. In other words, it has the same time limit as that of the sponsor with H1, H2, or H3 visas.

If the primary H visa is extended or you need to extend your H4 visa, you can apply for an H4 Visa extension. You can do that by filling and submitting Form I-539. In addition, you must resubmit proof of your relationship with the sponsor and other documents that may include:

• The most recent copy of the dependent’s prior Forms I-94
• The most recent copy of the principal H-type holder’s Form I-94
• Copies of the primary H visa holder’s I-129 and I-797 forms

You must apply for an extension before the H-4 visa expires to ensure you don’t overstay your visa and break the immigration law.

What Happens If My H4 Is Denied?

Suppose your application for the H4 visa was denied. In that case, you can apply again, as long as the primary H visa holder still holds a valid H visa and you haven’t broken any immigration law or participated in some other illegal activity in the US.

Before you reapply, ensure that you have addressed the reason for the rejection. An H4 visa may be rejected for reasons that include:

• The principal applicant’s finances must meet or exceed the state poverty line
• The principal’s W2 annual salary is lower than their Labor Condition Approval (LCA) salary.
• The immigration authorities determined that the dependent’s intentions are not right or legal

If your H-4 application was rejected, reach out to our immigration experts. We will assess your situation and advise on what to do next. If we determine that you can have a successful application, we can help you prepare it to ensure success. Call us on +1 844 290 6312 or email info@total.law

Can H4 Visa Holders Work In The US?

H-4 visa holders are not allowed to work, be it employment, self-employment, or freelance situations. If that person works without work authorization, they violate immigration law and will face penalties that may include losing their visa.

H-4 visa holders can apply for work authorization in the US. To work in the US on an H4 visa, applicants must be dependent spouses of H 1B nonimmigrants. In addition, the following is required:

• The H-1B visa holder must be the principal beneficiary of an approved Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
• The H1B visa holder is applying for a green card, and the H1B visa was extended beyond the six-year limit under the provisions of AC21 immigration law

How To Apply For The Employment Authorization Document

If you meet the work requirements, you can apply for the employment authorization document to work legally and run a business in the US.

To apply for the employment authorization document (EAD), you must submit all the required documents to the USCIS. The required documents include:

• A completed Form I-765
• Proof of marriage between the H-1B and H-4 visa holders
• National identity document or any other government-issued photo ID
• Evidence of H4 status, which may be a copy of the most recent Form I-797 and Form I-539 or Form I-94
• A copy of the H-1B visa holder’s passport
• Evidence of the H-1B visa holder’s most recent approved extension
• Passport-sized photograph of the dependent

You may provide secondary evidence. Such information may include the receipt number of the H-1B holder’s most current Form I-129.

There is an employment authorization filing fee of $410. You may need to pay an additional $85 for biometrics.

With employment authorization, you can work from home or office for an employer or start a business in the United States. Beware that as you work with an employer or own a business in the US, you must pay tax.

If your work authorization status expires, you can renew. You should do so before it expires, but you cannot file for a renewal EAD until at most 180 days from the expiration date. For renewal, you will need your last EAD and a copy of the biometric page of your passport, along with your other documents.

How Can Total Law Help?

At Total Law, we have years of experience helping spouses and children of H visa holders get approved for an H-4 visa. We are trained in US immigration law and provide immigration services to support you in your H-4 visa application. Our services include:

• Assessing your status & documents to offer legal advice on your options
• Assistance with gathering evidence to prove that dependent is the principal’s spouse or child
• Filling the H-4 visa application
• Communicating with USCIS on your behalf

Our lawyers will file your H-4 application with the highest standards for success. For information or assistance with your H-4 application, call +1 844 290 6312 or email info@total.law.