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H-4 EAD Status Check: Track Your I-765 Work Permit

Certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B workers can apply for employment authorization. They file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and may start working once they receive the Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766).[1]

Paste the case data from your USCIS online account below to read each event on your I-765 in plain English and see the current processing-time range. Your case data stays in your browser.[2]

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Copy the case data from your USCIS account (our step-by-step guide shows how), paste it here and press Check My Case. If you filed an I-539 too, check each receipt.

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Typical Stages for H-4 EAD

An H-4 EAD case usually moves through the stages below. Not every case has every step. Each code links to its page in our status code library.[3]

  1. Received

    USCIS accepts the I-765 and sends a receipt notice. If you filed it together with an I-539 (and your spouse’s I-129), each form has its own receipt.[3][1]

  2. Biometrics

    If USCIS needs your biometrics, such as fingerprints, a photograph or a signature, it schedules a biometric services appointment.[4]

  3. In review

    When the I-765 is filed with an I-539, USCIS does not decide the I-765 until it has decided the I-539 and confirmed your H-4 eligibility.[1]

  4. Evidence request

    An officer may ask for more evidence. The request states the deadline to respond.[5]

  5. Decision

    USCIS orders and sends the decision notice.[3]

  6. Card

    For an approved case, USCIS produces the card and mails it by USPS Priority Mail to the address in your application. You need the card before you start working.[6][1][3]

Current H-4 EAD Processing Times

Form I-765, across offices

12.2–18.3 months

  • National Benefits Center12.5–18.3 months
  • Service Center Operations12.2–16.3 months

USCIS published · All I-765 offices and forms

The data summarizes all I-765 eligibility categories, averaged per office by ImmigrationTimes.org, not the H-4 category alone. USCIS publishes a separate time for each category on its processing times page, and an H-4 EAD can fall outside this range.[7][8]

Data: ImmigrationTimes.org (CC BY 4.0), from USCIS published processing times. These describe past cases: not a prediction for yours.

H-4 EAD Questions

Who can apply for an H-4 EAD?

Certain H-4 spouses of H-1B workers: the H-1B spouse must be the principal beneficiary of an approved Form I-140, or hold H-1B status granted under certain extension provisions that USCIS lists. Check the USCIS H-4 employment authorization page for the exact conditions.

Source[1]

Which form and category does an H-4 EAD use?

Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. The USCIS I-765 page lists the category for spouses of H-1B workers as (c)(26).

Source[1][6]

Can I file the H-4 EAD with my I-539?

Yes. You may file Form I-765 with Form I-539, or with both Form I-539 and your spouse’s Form I-129. USCIS will not decide the I-765 until it has decided the I-539.

Source[1]

When can I start working on an H-4 EAD?

Only after you receive the Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766). USCIS mails it by USPS Priority Mail to the address in your application.

Source[1][6]

How long does an H-4 EAD take?

USCIS publishes I-765 processing times by eligibility category. The range on this page summarizes all I-765 categories through ImmigrationTimes.org, so check the H-4 category on the USCIS processing times page. Neither is a prediction for your case.

Source[7][8]

Related

Not legal advice. This page is general information from public sources. For advice about your own case, talk to an immigration attorney or accredited representative. CaseTicker is not affiliated with USCIS. Not legal advice.

Sources

Checked . Numbers in brackets in the text point here.

  1. [1]Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Dependent SpousesUSCIS
  2. [2]Checking Your Case Status OnlineUSCIS
  3. [3]NIEM 5.0 BenefitDocumentStatusCategoryCodeSimpleTypeNIEM
  4. [4]Preparing for Your Biometric Services AppointmentUSCIS
  5. [5]Policy Manual: Evidence (Requests for Evidence and NOIDs)USCIS
  6. [6]I-765, Application for Employment AuthorizationUSCIS
  7. [7]Check Case Processing TimesUSCIS
  8. [8]Open Data (CC BY 4.0)ImmigrationTimes.org

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