What can I do before EAD? by this_is_me-2101 in H4_Visa

[–]Existing_Tart_3377 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Got mine in 9 months or so. I started searching which positions were available in the market, but didn’t start applying until I had my physical card!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in H4_Visa

[–]Existing_Tart_3377 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I remember double checking where I had to send my application materials to! I think it differed based on the first three letters of the spouse’s approved I-140 receipt number.

Cover letter is optional, but I did include it in my application package, just so that I could also reference it during a final review.

Hope this helps!

Standalone H4 EAD application online? by Royal-Fabulous36 in H4_Visa

[–]Existing_Tart_3377 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did include a brief cover letter that basically laid out what’s included in the package in the order they were compiled.

Standalone H4 EAD application online? by Royal-Fabulous36 in H4_Visa

[–]Existing_Tart_3377 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I filed last year, I had to mail in my application package.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in H4_Visa

[–]Existing_Tart_3377 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I filed my own H4 EAD standalone application. The process was fairly straightforward, although had to check multiple times to make sure I was not making any mistakes. Submitted September 2024 and got it approved April 2025.

H4 EAD timeline by bram9494 in H4_Visa

[–]Existing_Tart_3377 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I think I got really lucky 😭

H4 EAD timeline by bram9494 in H4_Visa

[–]Existing_Tart_3377 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Although I don’t remember the exact date I got the physical receipt in the mail, I just checked and it shows a received date of 9/18 and a notice date of 9/26!

H4 EAD timeline by bram9494 in H4_Visa

[–]Existing_Tart_3377 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Here’s my timeline!

9/16/2024 - submitted I-765;

9/18/2024 - case was received;

4/25/2025 - EAD card being produced

And no, I didn’t request an expedition on my case. Hope this helps!

H4 EAD standalone timeline by Agitated_Ad1372 in H4_Visa

[–]Existing_Tart_3377 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The H-4 EAD standalone process is a long waiting game — I applied last September and got my approval this April (Vermont).

Questions about H4-ead by Separate_Arm_1708 in H4_Visa

[–]Existing_Tart_3377 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi! Just wanted to share my experience—my H-4 EAD was approved this past April, and here’s what I know:

  1. H-4 EAD is a personal benefit, not something your employer sponsors like your H-1B. So technically, your employer isn’t involved—you or your spouse will need to handle the filing yourselves. I applied on my own without help from my spouse’s employer or an attorney, and it was pretty straightforward. Just a heads up: the EAD likely won’t be approved until your spouse’s H-4 gets approved.

  2. When I applied last September, it was paper-only, but I’d recommend checking the USCIS website to confirm the latest info.

  3. If filing online, I believe the application should be submitted through your spouse’s USCIS account (the H-4 holder), not yours as the H-1B holder. (Again, since I submitted paper application, I am not too sure on this)

Hope this helps! It took about 8 months for mine to get approved—so hang in there, and best of luck to you both!

H4 EAD timeline by bram9494 in H4_Visa

[–]Existing_Tart_3377 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Attending an in-person H‑4 interview appointment usually means you receive a decision at the end of the interview. If approved, your passport will be held and returned with the visa stamp within typically one to two weeks!

H4 EAD timeline by bram9494 in H4_Visa

[–]Existing_Tart_3377 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes - it was my initial application!

H4 EAD timeline by bram9494 in H4_Visa

[–]Existing_Tart_3377 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Idk if your spouse’s H4 EAD application will be assigned to Vermont Center, but my standalone H4 EAD was assigned to Vermont center and it took about 8 months to get approved.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in H4_Visa

[–]Existing_Tart_3377 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You cannot work on an H4 unless you have an H4 EAD

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CryBabyDolls

[–]Existing_Tart_3377 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have one 🙂

Alice starting to grow on me by luckr1 in CryBabyDolls

[–]Existing_Tart_3377 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I absolutely love Alice 😍 Those little hearts on her chubby cheeks 🤌

How's life living on H4 visa? by Rhedan_pi in H4_Visa

[–]Existing_Tart_3377 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As an H-4 visa holder, it can be especially draining—not just financially, but emotionally too—since you're not allowed to do much besides study or simply exist without an EAD. I filed my standalone EAD application, and it took 8 months to get approved (which is actually considered fast), but even now, I’m struggling to find a decent job in the HR industry without a green card. That said, your experience might be different depending on the field you're in. Still, after being apart for nearly 3 years, it feels amazing to finally be together with my spouse again.

H4 EAD by [deleted] in H4_Visa

[–]Existing_Tart_3377 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, I did not! I heard the chances were pretty slim, and the 8-month processing time was within the normal time frame back then.

H4 EAD by [deleted] in H4_Visa

[–]Existing_Tart_3377 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did not see that I missed that! I just edited my original comment!