USCIS has announced a significant policy change regarding the H-4 Employment Authorization Document (EAD) program, reducing the validity period from five years to just 18 months for all renewals and initial applications filed or pending on or after December 5, 2025. This decision follows the Supreme Court’s recent inaction on the program, which was originally established during the Obama administration.
Key Details:
- New validity period: 18 months for H-4 EAD renewals and initial applications.
- Effective date: December 5, 2025, for all applications filed or pending.
- Increased frequency of renewals will lead to more vetting processes.
- The change aims to limit automatic work access for H-4 visa holders.
This policy shift will impact many families relying on H-4 EADs for work authorization, creating additional hurdles for dependents of H-1B visa holders. Need help with your immigration case? Visit QuickFiling.us for professional immigration services.
Source: @ChiefEngineerCE