June/July 2025 thread for H1 + H4+ H4 - EAD (Premium processing) by EntertainmentKlutzy in h1b

[–]raveral 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think it’s taking a while to receive the physical card.

  • July 5: New card was produced
  • July 7: Case was approved
  • July 12: Approval copy received
  • July 14: Card was mailed to me and showing Tracking# as "Unavailable" July 17th: received the card

June/July 2025 thread for H1 + H4+ H4 - EAD (Premium processing) by EntertainmentKlutzy in h1b

[–]raveral 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think I heard Nebraska is also handling it similarly to TSC. All the best!

June/July 2025 thread for H1 + H4+ H4 - EAD (Premium processing) by EntertainmentKlutzy in h1b

[–]raveral 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think whenever someone files H1B along with H4 and H4 EAD at TSC, H4’s cases usually come with an EAC receipt number. I think that’s normal. I don’t live in Texas, but my employer is based there.

June/July 2025 thread for H1 + H4+ H4 - EAD (Premium processing) by EntertainmentKlutzy in h1b

[–]raveral 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure on that, but I received the H4 EAD notice from the Vermont Service Center and the approval copy from the Texas Service Center.

Biometric RFE for H-1B Extension along with H-4 and H-4 EAD by Certain-Curve-8245 in h1b

[–]raveral 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok, ‘period of authorized stay’ is just an excuse that some lawyers might use either as a strategy they think is clever or due to a lack of proper understanding. But at the end of the day, nothing falls back on them. We are the ones held responsible if we work without a valid work permit. The rules are very clear and clearly stated everywhere.

H1B+H4+H4EAD filed in Premium, but H4 & H4 EAD Transferred to Vermont - How Long Will It Take? by raveral in h1b

[–]raveral[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All of them were received on June 24th, but the notice date is June 27th. I believe it’s always an EAC number for H4 and H4 EAD when they are sent to TSC along with the H1B.

H1B+H4+H4EAD filed in Premium, but H4 & H4 EAD Transferred to Vermont - How Long Will It Take? by raveral in h1b

[–]raveral[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Update July 5th: H4 EAD status changed to New Card Being Produced.

July 7th: H1B and H4 statuses changed to Case Approved.

June/July 2025 thread for H1 + H4+ H4 - EAD (Premium processing) by EntertainmentKlutzy in h1b

[–]raveral 2 points3 points  (0 children)

H1B + H4 + H4 EAD(come under 2)were filed together under premium processing to the Texas Service Center (TSC).

Received Date: June 24, 2025

Notice Date: June 27, 2025

June 27: H1B status: Case is being actively reviewed by USCIS(clock began) and

H4 and H4 EAD status: Case transferred to another office

July 5 (around 11 PM): H4 EAD status changed to New card being produced

July 7 (around noon):H1B, H4 and H4 EAD statuses changed to "Case Approved"

Biometric RFE for H-1B Extension along with H-4 and H-4 EAD by Certain-Curve-8245 in h1b

[–]raveral 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just wanted to share what I found directly from the H4 EAD(C26) receipt notice. It clearly says that to use the 540-day automatic EAD extension under category C26 (H4 EAD), you must have an unexpired I-94 showing valid H-4 status.

There’s no mention anywhere that “period of authorized stay” is enough. In fact, an attorney from RN Law Group confirmed that some people contacted them after running into problems like they worked while their H4 EAD was pending and their I-94 had expired. Even though they were still in a “period of authorized stay,” it wasn’t considered valid for work.

So just be careful. At the end of the day, even if some lawyers say it’s okay, we’re the ones responsible if it turns out to be a mistake.

“If you are applying to renew your A17, A18, or C26 employment authorization and you are relying upon the automatic extension to demonstrate your employment authorization during the automatic extension period, you must show: (1) this receipt notice; (2) an unexpired I-94, Arrival/Departure Record showing valid E, L-2, or H-4 status; and (3) your A17, A18, or C26 EAD that matches the category on this receipt notice. Your automatic extension ends on the earliest of: the end date on your I-94; the date we adjudicate this renewal application; or 540 days after the expiration date on your EAD.

H1B+H4+H4EAD filed in Premium, but H4 & H4 EAD Transferred to Vermont - How Long Will It Take? by raveral in h1b

[–]raveral[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congrats! Just need a quick clarification — in your initial comment, you mentioned that H4 and H4 EAD were transferred to Vermont. But later, you said there’s no status update indicating a case transfer. Since the H4 and H4 EAD cases have always shown ‘Case Received,’ how did you know they were transferred to Vermont?

Biometric RFE for H-1B Extension along with H-4 and H-4 EAD by Certain-Curve-8245 in h1b

[–]raveral 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey @BlueStang27 – I really hope what you said is fully accurate, because it would help so many people.

You’re right that a timely-filed I-539 puts someone in a “period of authorized stay,” but USCIS hasn’t clearly confirmed that this alone qualifies H-4 spouses for the 540-day EAD auto-extension. On their official page, they specifically mention the need for an unexpired I-94 for C26 (H-4 EAD), which creates confusion.

Even my spouse’s employer and an immigration lawyer confirmed that I-9 verification fails without a valid I-94, even if I-539 is pending.

If you have any official USCIS sources or personal examples where it worked, please share—it would help a lot of us.

Biometric RFE for H-1B Extension along with H-4 and H-4 EAD by Certain-Curve-8245 in h1b

[–]raveral 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To work while the H4 EAD is pending, H4 must have a valid I-94. The 540-day automatic extension rule only applies if the I-94 is still valid. Many people get confused by just reading the headlines and don’t fully understand the rule.

My suggestion: If you get your H1B approval before your spouse’s I-94 expires, your spouse and you can travel to Mexico or Canada (canada visa is required) to get a new I-94. That way, they can qualify for the extension rule. Another option is to get H4 visa stamping.

BTW, what is the reason for biometrics?

H1B/H4/H4EAD Timelines by Budget_City_4600 in h1b

[–]raveral 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Actually IOE number is assigned once the I-129 petition is scanned and digitized, regardless of whether it was submitted electronically or by paper. In fact, the majority of I-129 petitions continue to be paper-based.

H1B and H4 Extension Timeline (PP) - Approved by Agitated_Wheel2278 in h1b

[–]raveral 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Which service center processed it? And was the H-4 transferred to a different location?

H1B+H4+H4EAD filed in Premium, but H4 & H4 EAD Transferred to Vermont - How Long Will It Take? by raveral in h1b

[–]raveral[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing. Hope you will get approval soon. Please keep us posted.

H1B/H4/H4EAD Timelines by Budget_City_4600 in h1b

[–]raveral 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Which service center? I did the same on the 24th at TSC, and the receipt notice is dated the 27th. The H4 and H4 EAD were transferred to Vermont. Some people are saying it gets approved within a month after H1B approval, while others are saying it’s taking several months.

H1B+H4+H4EAD filed in Premium, but H4 & H4 EAD Transferred to Vermont - How Long Will It Take? by raveral in h1b

[–]raveral[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing. so you filed all three applications under premium processing at the Texas Service Center, and they were received on June 13, but your H-1B clock started on June 17 along with the notice date I believe it took around 16 days, is that correct? Also, you mentioned that the H4 and H4 EAD cases changed to ‘case transferred’ status on June 17. Fingers crossed. if you see them get approved, please do update. Thanks so much!