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

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).

“This decision is going to directly affect many of our life members as they would now be able to join the professional workforce and chase the ‘American Dream’," the Telugu Association of North America said in a statement.

Recent State Department figures show that approximately 76 per cent of those who received H4 status in 2013 were from South-Asian countries.

“Many H4 dependent spouses have found themselves to be involuntary homemakers upon their arrival to the U.S., which not only impacts their family income and sustainability, but also diminishes their ability to expand upon professional skills,” SAALT said.

SAALT has called on USCIS to allow full employment authorisation for all H4 visa holders, as H-1B workers and their families are most successful when H4 visa-holders have the ability to contribute to their household income and the economy and pursue their goals.

“Today’s announcement is a welcomed first step that will dramatically help some families in the U.S. but the success of H-1B workers, their families and our nation’s economic growth is limited when only some H4 visa-holders are eligible for work with authorisation,” it said.

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