On May 26, 2015, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services began accepting applications for employment authorization from certain spouses in H-4 status. The H-4 spouse may qualify for employment authorization if the H-1B holder can anticipate obtaining permanent residence under two conditions. In the first, the H-1B principal beneficiary spouse of an approved I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker. Employment authorization will also be granted if the H-1B spouse’s status was extended because a labor certification application was filed at least 365 days before the end of the fifth year, or the H-1 spouse is the beneficiary of an approved I-140 petition. The H-4 spouse will be permitted to work without restriction for the same duration granted to the H-1B holder. Unfortunately, dependent children will not be eligible for employment authorization. If you are an employer and need us to assist the spouse of your employee, or if you are an H-1b holder and need us to assist your spouse, please contact us. For a fast response, you should complete our online intake form at roseimmigration.com.