As H-1B petitions are approved, the H-1B foreign national’s family members in the U.S. will begin submitting change of status applications, to apply for H-4 status, as well as applications for employment authorization. It is important to remember that once those applications are filed, if the foreign national seeking H-4 status and employment authorization leaves the U.S. before the change of status has been approved, both applications will be considered abandoned and thus denied.
Even if the foreign national re-enters the U.S. on an H-4 visa, the application for employment authorization will not be revived. A new application will need to be filed, along with the requisite fees before authorization to work will be approved.