Spouses of H-1B visa-holders can apply for U.S. work permit

TechnoparkToday.com(Feb, 2014): The United States on Tuesday announced that it would provide work permits to spouses of H-1B visa-holders beginning May 26, 2015, a move that is expected to benefit thousands of talented and professional Indian spouses who come to America but are unable to work.

Once USCIS approves the ‘Form I-765’ and the H-4 dependent spouse receives an Employment Authorisation Card, he or she may begin working in the United States.USCIS estimates the number of individuals eligible to apply for employment authorization under this rule could be as high as 179,600 in the first year and 55,000 annually in subsequent years. The move has been welcomed by Indian- Americans.

Eligible individuals include certain H4 dependent spouses of H-1B non-immigrants (principal H-1B worker) who are the beneficiaries of an approved Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, or satisfy at least one or more of the three conditions.

The conditions include that the principal H-1B worker must have an approved I-140 or be currently on an extended H-1B status beyond the six-year limitation based upon an I-140 petition application pending for at least 365 days (one calendar year).