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H4 Approval Notices after Biometrics in 2019 – Shared by User

Since the New I-539 form with Biometrics this year, many of you have been waiting for H4 Approval timelines and we absolutely had no data. Our reader community have been actively contributing their experiences in comments and many user directly to us, you can check all of it at : H4 Extension Biometrics Experiences with New I-539 Form . We have two approvals reported by two of our readers on H4 approval with their timelines. Upon request, our readers ( names kept anonymous for privacy), have been kind enough to take time to share a scan copy of the actual H4 approval notice after Biometrics. Thanks a lot to our readers for sharing the copy of the H4 approval notice and their experience with the community ! Really appreciate it ! Below is their timeline for your review. You can send your experiences to redbus2us@gmail.com or post in User Experiences Section

Experience #1 – H4 Approval Timeline with Biometrics

Only applied for H4 Extension. Have NOT applied for H4 EAD.

Service Center : Vermont

4/03 – USCIS received H1/H4 application in PP
04/08 – H1B Approved.
04/11 – Biometrics notice generated
04/18 – Received receipt numbers for H4
04/25 – Attended Biometrics.
05/16 – Received H4 Approval Notice along with H1 Copy.

  • H4 Approved after almost 20 Days after giving Biometrics or about 45 Days from filing H1B + H4 together in premium

Experience #2 – H4 Approval Timeline with Biometrics

Service Center : Vermont

  • H1B + H4 Filed in Premium : April 2nd 2019
    • Did NOT apply for H4 EAD
  • H4 Receipt Generated : April 3rd 2019
  • H1B Receipt Generated : April 3rd 2019
  • H1B Approved : April 8th 2019
  • Biometric Notice Generated : April 5th 2019
  • Biometric Notice Received : April 10th 2019
  • Biometric Appointment : April 25th 2019
  • H4 Approval Date : June 10th, 2019
    • H4 Approval took about 69 Days from filing date.
    • H4 Approval took about 46 Days after Biometrics were given
  • H4 Approval Notice Received in Mail : June 15, 2019
    • H4 Approval mail arrival took 74 Days ( 2 month 13 days ) from initial filing.
    • It took 51 Days to arrive in mail after Biometrics were done.
    • Still online status says “Case Received” after getting approval.
    • See below Copy

Word of Caution : I understand, this is a very nervous time for many working on H4 EAD with the H4 EAD Lawsuit, Removal Rulemaking things going on… The intent of sharing approval notices of H4 is to share that there is hope and at least couple of people got approvals. Please use this approval information with caution, do NOT assume that your H4 and H4 EAD will be approved with the same timeline and make your life decisions regarding your H4 and H4 EAD approvals. We only have two approvals info and this is not enough sample to make a generalized approximation. Please consider the maximum processing times that you see on USCIS website for H4 extension processing and then make decisions to be safe. Consult with attorney as well, before you make any decisions.

Please share your H4 experiences, approvals information with community for everyone benefit to get idea in comments as well. Let’s help each other…

Copy of H4 Approval Notice With Biometrics in 2019 – Experience #2

H4 Visa Approval Notice - Vermont - 2019 After Biometrics

Copy of H4 Approval Notice With Biometrics in 2019 – Experience #1

H4 Approval Notice Sample with Biometrics - 2019 - Experience

   

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147 Comments

  1. Hello, I am in a situation where my wife got her H4 extension request approved but we never received the Official Notice (I797A – I539) in the mail.
    The application was submitted by the lawyer along with Form G-28. Lawyer said they only got the Courtesy copy (I-797C) but did not received the official notice. Mailing address on G-28 was my home address and on I-539 application was my office address.

    Can anyone confirm on which address USCIS must have sent the notice? My lawyer had open a case with them but told me that they didn’t hear back from them.

    Any help would be appreciated

    Reply
  2. Hello,

    H4 + H4 EAD were file concurrently on 9/20/2019 (CA Service Center) and bio metrics were done on 10/1/2019. Received H4 Visa approval on 03/17/2020 but there is no update on EAD application since 9/20. How long it takes usually to get EAD approval after H4?

    Thank you

    Reply
    • In my case I had given biometrics given on Oct 8th when I filed h4:and h4-ead .now USCIS saying no biometrics information available on the system for h4-ead. Case approved but didn’t get card yet. Any one faced the same issue? I asked the USCIS to check they can use same biometrics info for this application as well?

      Reply
  3. Hi ,

    July 1st – H1, H4, H4-EAD applied on PP
    July 16th – H1 approved
    July 27th – Biometrics done
    No update after that on H4 & EAD. Status shows ‘Case Was Updated To Show Fingerprints Were Taken’. Has anyone received H4, H4 EAD approval from the Vermont center who applied in the month of July. Its been 8 months now . We raised a request , called customer care, they are saying the same case status as it shows in the site.

    Thanks

    Reply
  4. My H4EAD is approved on Dec 5th, 2019. Unfortunately, On Dec 11th I got a mail from USCIS asking for my latest photos as the ones sent with initial application was not proper. I immediately sent them the photographs on Dec 12th. The mail document nowhere mentioned it was an ‘RFE’. But my case status in the USCIS website changed to “RFE response received”. Why do they consider it as an RFE when it was not mentioned as RFE in the document? It’s been more than 2 weeks since I sent them the new photos, but still there is no update regarding my EAD card. I called customer care and they said my card has not even been sent to production yet. When will I receive my EAD card?

    Also, will the start date in my EAD card be Dec 5th,2019 (Date of my EAD approval) or the current date/date when it is sent to printing? Please help.

    Reply
    • Anon,
      If they have asked for something, it means that it is RFE, usually the system flags it like that…It could be simple thing or a complex thing, all are classifed as RFE. You need to wait for the card to arrive, continue to check back with USCIS customer service in a week or two…

      Reply
  5. h1extension regular: applied on May 1st along with h4.

    H1 approval got: sep 30
    H4 bio metrics on : oct18th due to some reasons I rescheduled it.
    Called Uscis on nov for h4 approval docs .. they said it’s just passed 6 months cannot tell the status .. but received bio metrics and you will receive the decision by post.

    Question: in worst case if I don’t receive the H4 approval before 240 days what are the consequences?

    Reply
    • There is no 240 days rule for H4, nothing will happen. You continue to maintain your status and you will be in something called period of authorised stay.

      Reply
  6. How much time does it take for Bimetric fingerprint scanning. My spouse and Child appointment is at 9. And I need to be at some other place on the very same day. So wondering by how much time they would get freed from there?

    Reply
    • It takes 1-2 hrs depending on the crowd.People who have appointment 12 pm or 2pm also can come early and finish, so you never know how much crowd will be waiting. Better go and stand in line at least an hour before to reduce wait time.

      Reply
  7. Service Center: California

    H1/ H4 / H4 EAD Receipt Date : May 3rd

    H1 Approved : May 12.

    Case Expedited by Phone : July 29th. Did not ask any proof.

    H4 EAD and H4 Approved on August 2nd. Received H4 Approval and H4 EAD approval on Aug 8th. Did not receive EAD so far.

    But H4 status changed to Finger Print review complete on August 24.

    Case Was Reopened For Reconsideration

    On September 10, 2019, we reopened your Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, Receipt Number WAC191XXXXXXX, and are reconsidering our earlier decision. We sent you a notice that describes how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your notice by October 10, 2019, please go to www.uscis.gov/e-request to request a copy of the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

    Any body had seen this before? What to expect next?

    Reply
    • Srikanth,
      The online statuses can be very misleading…we have seen such statuses for other visa types, should be intermittent statuses…Just wait for the final physical copy. Do update here as well.

      Reply
  8. Has anyone received H4 approval after biometric from Nebraska centre. H1-B along with H4 was submitted for premium processing in August 2019 and biometric done on 4th September 2019. H1-B was approved in August 2019.

    Reply
  9. Hi ,

    Here is my case details

    Applied date : April 17th- Nebraska center
    H1+H4+EAD all applied through premium processing.
    April 30th : H1b approval
    May 6th : Biometric done
    August 16th: New card is being produced
    August 19th : H4 approval
    August 20th : card was mailed to me
    August 21st : Card Was Picked Up By The United States Postal Service
    As per USPS tracking card delivers tomorrow.

    Adding email to our case status helps. For my case it took exactly 4months from applied date. My previous EAD was valid till July 31st 2019.
    My receipt number LIN191515XXXX.
    Tried to expedite case through congressman and company letter, it didn’t work.
    Not tried litigation.

    Thank you

    Reply
  10. Hello

    Just wanted to check .. Has anyone received H4 EAD approval from the Vermont center who applied in the month of May.Because i have submitted my application in May and it has been two months i have completed my bio metrics and still waiting for the card.

    Reply
      • Can I apply for H4 and H4EAD at once or do I have to wait for H4 approval first and then start H4EAD ?

        Thank you for responding so quickly. I appreciate the forum for such assistance to the people.

        Reply
          • Hi Kumar,

            Thank you for your quick response. I already sent I539 application.

            I have 765 application ready but don’t know what evidence I can provide to support H4 documents.

            Evidence of your current nonimmigrant status, such as a copy of your Form I-94 showing your admission in (or change of status to) H-4 nonimmigrant status or file this form concurrently filed with Form I-539, Application to Change/Extend Nonimmigrant Status (if applicable)

          • Well, you should submit your I-539 receipt notice at the minimum and I-94. The trick is, if you send now, they may issue RFE for H4 status/ approval and if you cannot provide the H4 approval, then it can result in denial on time. With the delays in processing, it can be tricky…it is suggested that you apply for H4 EAD after your H4 approval…or you can take a chance, but as I said can be tricky.

  11. hi,
    I had a question and would be thankful if somneone answers them. I am currenlty living in California and my h4 and h4 EAD both are in processing, but my drivers license has also expired on the same date as my h4 and EAD.
    Can still apply for license renewal based on my husband’s h1 extension?
    Also how long is the H4 + EAD processing time for California?

    Reply
      • I applied for it mid February. I had to convince the DMV officer that such a thing exists because she dint know about it. She went multiple times to consult with the supervisor. Ultimately she agreed. Asked for two foreign IDs – luckily I had Aadhar card along with my passport. She booked me for 18 question written test. For AB60 you don’t need to give the written, the officer had made a mistake. I went back to the officer (after the system wont let me attempt the test) to get it corrected. Got interim license and in 2 weeks the license was mailed to me. Remember, even though its valid until 2024 its not REAL ID.
        So suggest you to carry any and every document you posses in addition to options listed on the website. and book a future DMV appointment for getting the REAL ID.

        Reply
    • Deepa

      I was in the same situation . For the first time they said they cannot issue the license and they need active H4 EAD which is in-progress.As a next try i took my H4 receipt and my husband H1 approval copy along with SSN and passport as evidence and it got approved for 3years.

      Reply
  12. Jun 19 – H1B + H4 (Spouse&kid) + H4EAD – PP (Exp Sep 5)
    Jun 24 – H1B Approved
    Jun 27 – Got Fingerprinting interview Sch for kid on Jul 10
    Jul 5 – Got Fingerprinting interview Sch for Spouse on Jul 16
    We had applied 485 separately and got fingerprinting for that one on Jul 9, and we all did all the fingerprinting on Jul 9 itself
    Jul 10 – H4 Spouse online status changed to “Fingerprinting review completed”, but no response on kid H4

    Waiting for now, H4 EAD expires on Sep 4th. Still got 1 month, but looking at the thread it seems we wont get a response on time. My spouse might lose the job.

    Reply
  13. Service Center : Nebraska

    4/1– USCIS received H1/H4/H4-EAD application in PP
    4/2 – RFE
    4/12 – RFE replied – Employer and Employee tax returns from past 3 years
    4/19 – H1B Approved
    4/22 – H4 Biometrics done
    7/24 – H4 approved — Case status not updated but received approval notice on 7/29.
    H4-EAD – Still waiting

    Reply
  14. Hi this is a question about H4 stamping experience in India and I will be grateful if anyone can share their experiences or advice.
    So I have applied for H1 to H4 COS and we got married in USA earlier this year. We are a same-sex couple, and I haven’t found any experience of a same-sex H4 stamping from India. Both of us has always had our own Visas, F1, J1, H1. We had a court marriage in USA in presence of friends and some family members and had reception as well. I am worried that if there is much delay in COS and for some reason I have to visit India (my parents are there) will there be a problem in H4 stamping? I read some experiences about VO s asking for religious ceremony pictures and we never did so and don’t plan to, either.
    If anyone has any knowledge about this please advise. Do they always ask for religious ceremony pictures for H4 stamping?

    Reply
    • So far, on the blog, I have not seen any same sex couples interview experiences. Yes, they would ask for marriage pictures, etc. Of course, you have all the paperwork from US, so it should be fine. I am not sure, if they would ask for religious because same sex is not really a practice in religious setting…you could say that, if they ask… wish, I could add more. You would be the first one. Would be great, if you can share your experience with the community after your interview experience, it will help others as well…

      Reply
  15. I wanted to add some information on my previous post about calling USCIS to expedite my request. My case status did get change after one week. I received letter from USCIS after two days from approval that my request to expedite my case was denied. I guess they have started approving the cases received in April. My case received date was 04/09 and biometric date was 04/26.

    Good Luck everyone!

    Reply
  16. Any recent approvals – Vermont Service Center ? I am planning to travel to India in Aug with I539 extension pending here … My I-94 got expired on 18th May & have filed the extension on 14th May . Can I go for H4 stamping based on the new H1 extension ( valid 2020 ) ? Will the period from 18th May- Aug be considered as out of status as I understand my I539 will be abandoned once I leave the country. Please advise ! Anybody recent H4 stamping on H1 extension experience of dropbox @ Mumbai Consulate . ?

    Reply
  17. Hi,

    I am currently working on h4 ead. My husband has an extension coming up on his h1b visa. He is also planning to change jobs around that time which will lead to an h1b transfer.

    If I apply for h4 extension along with his h1b extension and his application gets approved due to premium processing and mine takes time, will there be any issue if he changes jobs while my h4 is pending and again applies for h1b transfer?

    Reply
  18. Can you give biometrics prior to the appointment date given by USCIS? Which location did you gave your biometrics?

    Reply
    • Yes, few users have tried doing a direct walk-in and given it…some were turned back, but they went to other nearby ASCs and tried again, where they were able to give. They are not mandated to take you…

      Reply
  19. Any H4 Extensions and H4 EAD Approval after biometrics at Nebraska center?

    I filed on April 18th along with H1 extension in PP and done with biometrics on May 9th, but still waiting for Any updates on H4?

    Reply
  20. Hi, I am planning to apply for H1B+H4 extension. The passport of H4 holder expires in July 2020.

    1) If H4 is approved, will the new I-94 of h4 holder be valid for 3 years or will it be issued till July 2020 since passport expires around that time? OR
    2) will the approval notice be valid for 3 years and I-94 till July 2020 only?

    Reply
  21. Hello –

    Vermont SC –
    H1 +H4 submitted in Regular processing – April 9th
    H4 Receipt Notice date – April 13
    Biometrics Given April 28th
    H1 upgraded to premium June 11th
    H1 approval received June 12th
    H4 Status still shows as Case Received

    Reply
  22. May 15: Filed H1+h4 extension together – PP
    May 17: H1 Approved
    May 17: Received Bio-metrics appointment notice
    May 23: H4-EAD Extension separately
    Jun 06: Bio-metrics appointment done

    Waiting for H4 + H4EAD approvals

    Reply
  23. 5/13 H1B & H4 FILE PREMIUM PROCESS
    5/28 H1B APPROVED NOTICE
    6/3 BIOMETRIC SCHEDULE NOTICE
    6/10 BIOMETRIC COMPLETED
    AND WAITING FOR H4 PROCESS NO EAD

    Reply
  24. Mar 29 – H1, H4, H4-EAD applied on PP
    Apr 2 – H1 approved
    Apr 24th – Biometrics done
    No update after that on H4 & EAD. Status shows ‘Case Received’

    Reply
  25. 4/25 Applications shipped to USCIS. H1B, H4 and H4 EAD with PP.
    4/29 Received all three application receipts.
    5/3 H1B Approved
    5/10 Received Biometrics appointment dated 5/22
    5/22 Biometrics appointment done.

    Still waiting for updates. Both H4 and H4 EAD have status as “Case was received”.

    Reply
  26. Service Center : Nebraska

    5/22 – USCIS received H1/H4 application in PP
    5/31 – H1B Approved.
    6/5 – Received Biometric appt letter with appt scheduled for 6/10
    6/10 – Biometrics was done
    Waiting for H4 and H4 EAD approvals

    Reply
  27. Filed H1+h4 extension+ EAD – Apr 26
    H1 Reciept Date : Apr 30
    H4 Reciept Date – Apr 30
    H1 Approved – May 10
    Received H4 Bio-metrics appointment – May 15
    Biometrics appointment completed – May 20
    H4 EAD Reciept Date : May 22

    Waiting for H4 and EAD approval.

    Reply
  28. We filed H1+h4 extension+ EAD – May 1
    H1 notice sent – May 2
    H1 Approved – May 6
    Received h4 + EAD receipt – May 2
    Received H1 approval notice – May 6
    Received Biometrics appt – May 7
    Biometrics appt done – May 21
    Waiting for H4 + H4EAD approvals

    Reply
  29. Applied for h1 transfer + h4 ead+ h4 in premium

    Received date for all three may 10th
    H1 approved on may 17th
    Got biometric appointment for june7th— completed
    Now waiting for approval.. will keep you guys posted

    Let’s stay postive and hope for the best.

    Reply
  30. I am inclined towards the following strategy. Will keep you posted.
    ->Apply H1B+H4+EAD all in RegularProcessing.
    ->H4 biometrics dates gets generated
    ->Wife completes the biometrics at the specified center.
    ->Wait for about 2 weeks to make sure the status for H4 says “Fingerprints verified” (something like that)
    ->Upgrade the case to PremiumProcessing

    ->Hope that USCIS adjudicates all the applications at once (just like it was done before since biometrics process is already complete).
    —————-
    H-4 – EAD delays and possible solutions.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpKGyJPgzLI#t=1m54s

    Start time : 1:54
    End time : 4:00
    —————-

    Reply
  31. H1B to H4 cos timeline

    May 9 – Application received
    May 10- Biometrics notice generated
    May 28- Biometrics done

    Website status is still same as May 9 : Fingerprint fee received.

    Will update if there is a change. I-94 is valid till December.

    Reply
  32. Hi,

    5/21 – My to-be employer filed for H1 transfer – Premium processing
    5/30 – received H4 receipt and biometrics notice for dependents
    6/14 – Biometrics appointment scheduled….

    I still dont know my H1 decision as my employer is yet to update receipt#/status to me.

    A couple of Qs if anybody here could help –
    1) Is the biometric letter received only after primary(H1) is approved?

    2) My wife is travelling to India on 6/15 (day after completing biometrics) and returining on 7/15 (valid visa stamped on passport – current company), will it impact the H4 application in process that my to be employer has filed?

    3) If her H4 is approved while in India with a new i-94 date, will it be overridden with the current i-94 date at port of entry when she returns? (last-action rule)

    I will be joining my to be employer only after my wife returns, until then we have current employers visa valid and stamped.

    Thanks in advance for the responses!!

    Reply
    • 1. It is not really tied to approval, it can come anytime.
      2. Well, this is a slightly grey area, if it was COS, would have been abandoned, but with extension the issue is, when you get approval, it will have different I-94 number that when you exit and re-enter, so need to fix that… Read Travel with H4 Pending and Biometrics
      3. yes, usually the one at the Port of entry is the one that will be on the application. But, this is not fully clear and grey area…

      Reply
  33. I guess this approval was a mistake that USCIS made. According to the timeline, this H4 was approved on the same day as the H1B approval (04/08), even before the Biometrics (04/25). Posted is I797A approval notice instead of I797C receipt notice, so the notice date on it should represent the approval date. The reason that he/she received his/her approval notices so late (05/16) is probably because these notices were delivered to the attorney address, which caused such a delay. I guess that particular USCIS officer might forget about the newly introduced biometrics, and directly approved this H4 together with H1B. Anyway, this applicant was very lucky.

    Reply
  34. This whole process making us very impatient. At least USCIS would have given us a clue in advance that they don’t consider H4/ EAD in premium like before so that we would have a backup plan like going back to h1b etc. Now we are going to loose hard earned jobs and everything around us became uncertain .

    After putting so much time and effort for 10 years by our families, i don’t understand why do we have to go through this torture in this country. From time to time we have been suffering with the new issue & rules. In other countries , the people are well settled so early with lot of peace of mind.

    Its unfortunate that we chose to come to USA in the early stages of our life , now i feel we missed the crucial time of our lives in waiting, worrying and dealing with uncertainty as always.

    Back in home country also we left with nothing, finally feel like we don’t belong to anywhere.

    Reply
    • Yes, it is unfortunate that many of the H4 spouses careers are in limbo with the new Biometric process with delays. I wish they have given more guidance…. I can imagine, how it feels like…In life sometimes, we have to work with cards we are dealt with, where we cannot control things that are not in our arena…stay positive !

      Reply
    • Service Center : Nebraska

      5/13 – USCIS received H1/H4 application in PP
      5/17 – H1B Approved.
      5/26 – Received Biometric appt letter with appt scheduled for 6/4 near employer’s address.
      5/31 – Walked into nearest ASC and gave biometrics.
      Now waiting for H4 and H4 EAD approvals…

      Reply
  35. March 29 – USCIS Received H1 – I129 and H4 – I539 forms
    April 1 – Received H1 and H4 Receipt Notices
    April 4 – USCIS Generated Biometric Notice for H4
    April 11 – H1 B Approved – Received Approval Notice
    May 1- H4 Biometrics done

    Till today not yet received any updates on H4 – I539 Petition.
    Also, I am following up with USCIS to update address as I am moved to new location and not able to update address online. (Getting error “You must select the form number associated to your receipt number. The form number you selected does not match our records for that Receipt number”)

    Has any one faced this issue?

    Reply

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