Effective May 26, 2015, DHS will Extend Employment Authorization Eligibility to H-4 Spouses of Certain H-1B Workers

DHS recently announced an extension to Employment Authorization eligibility to H-4 spouses of certain H-1B workers who have already started the process of seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident status.  

This change is one of several initiatives underway by USCIS to modernize, improve and clarify visa programs to grow the U.S. economy and create jobs.  Other benefits include:  

  • Reducing certain disincentives that currently lead H-1B nonimmigrants to abandon efforts to remain in the United States while seeking lawful permanent residence, which will minimize disruptions to U.S. businesses employing them.
  • Supporting the U.S. economy because the contributions H-1B nonimmigrants make to entrepreneurship and science help promote economic growth and job creation.
  • Bringing U.S. immigration policies more in line with those laws of other countries that compete to attract similar highly skilled workers.

For more information on USCIS and its programs or about this rule and filing procedures, please visit uscis.gov.