Spouses Of H-1B Visa-Holders Can Apply For U.S. Work Permit From May 26

WASHINGTON: The United States 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.

Under existing laws, spouses of H-1B visa-holders, many of whom are Indians, are not eligible to work.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting applications for work visas from H-1B spouses on May 26.

Once USCIS approves the Form I-765 and the H4 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 authorisation under this rule could be as high as 1,79,600 in the first year and 55,000 annually in subsequent years. The move has been welcomed by Indian-Americans.

South-Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) in a statement applauded the U.S. government's move to extend work authorisation, effective May 26, 2015, to some H4 dependent spouses of H-1B visa-holders who are seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident (LPR) status.

The USCIS, in a statement, said the Department of Homeland Security was extending the eligibility for employment authorisation (EAD) to certain H4 dependent spouses of H-1B non-immigrants who are seeking employment-based Permanent Residency.

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