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H4 Biometrics + EAD Experiences with USCIS

As many of you know, USCIS changed the form I-539 for Extensions, added Biometrics, which delays overall processing of H4, even if it is filed with H1B in premium processing. This article has sections that cover latest news on H4 Biometrics, process with Biometrics for H4 and User experiences. Also, more importantly, check the comments, where users continue to add and share their latest experiences.

We have over 100 experiences with approximate timelines from users since the Biometrics Process started. Thanks to all our readers, who have added their experiences. Check Comments section for latest experiences in comments.

Latest USCIS News Update – H4 Biometrics

May 4th, 2021 : A Class Action Lawsuit was filed against DHS by Wasden Banias Law firm and AILA in March 2021. Today, there was an update by them saying that DHS may remove the biometrics requirements for H4 and L2 applications starting from May 17th, 2021. This is yet to be confirmed by USCIS as there is no official news. Check full details at H4, L2 Processing Delays Lawsuit by AILA – USCIS Biometrics Status

December 30, 2020 : USCIS issued a press release to their stakeholder indicating the delays with the Biometrics notices. They said that they ahve about 1.3 million pending Biometris appointments to be issued with USCIS as of mid December. They can only process about 10,400 per day for biomettrics. With that rate, it will take about 125 days, just to clear the backlog. So, be prepared for delays with getting Biometrics Appointment notices and H4 EAD, which has H4 and Biomettrics linked to it. You can check USCIS Official StakeHolder Message on Biometrics

Jul 20, 2020 : USCIS shared that they plan to open Application Support Centers (ASCs) in phases starting from second week of July. So far, only few users have reported that they have got the biometrics appointment. Many are still waiting. Check USCIS COVID-19 Office Opening Updates

Check Sample H4 Biometrics Rescheduled Notice, AIW form sent after COVID-19 related office closures and opening of offices.


Now that we have looked at latest news, let’s look at the general process and then experiences below. In general, biometrics is not required, if you are  applying for H4 EAD only and not using I-539 form for H4 Extension. 

H4 Extension with USCIS – Biometric Process, Documents

  • You file the H4 application with New I-539 Form that includes additional fee for Biometrics
    • Most of the cases, you file along with H1B. If H1B is filed in premium, you will get the H1B approved, and then H4 processing happens as it needs biometrics. USCIS guidance is that they will adjudicate it soon after biometrics are done.
  • You get H4 Application Receipt along with H1B and EAD receipts
  • You get the H4 Biometric Receipt physical copy in snail mail to visit Application Service Center (ASC) that has date and time
    • If you cannot make it on the given day, you can request for re-scheduling.
  • You visit ASC on the given day and time and give Biometrics.
  • Your H4 Biometrics may go through criminal history check of FBI
  • Decision on your H4 application with USCIS
  • Physical copy of H4 Decision Notice mailed to your address.

The process is as it stands today, we will update it based on general users’ experiences as we go along.

H4 Biometric Documents Required at the Application Support Center

  • The Biometric Appointment Notice sent to you by mail
  • Photo Identification Document issued by Government like below
    • Passport
    • Driver’s License,
    • National ID
    • Military ID
    • State Issued Photo ID.
    • If you fail to get Photo ID, you will not be fingerprinted / allowed to take biometrics.
  • It is recommended that you review that H4 I-539 application form that you submitted or sent to USCIS, so that you can confirm, if all the details are the same.
  • Any additional Biometric forms : USCIS does not have any special biometric forms and there is no need to fill out any separate forms related to Biometrics to visit the ASC.

H4 Biometrics Steps at Application Support Center

Giving Biometrics at ASC by H4 applicant is a very straight forward process. As mentioned above, you need required documents : Government issued Photo ID and Appointment letter. Below are the high level steps at ASC for biometrics

  • Step 1 : You are given a Token Number and will be asked to fill a basic form
  • Step 2 : You need to fill the form Applicant Information Worksheet (AIW), given to you, where you need to fill in information like Name, Date of Birth, Eye and Hair Color, Height and Weight, etc. Below is the sample shared by another user. Thanks to the user (anonymous for privacy) for sharing the form with the community.
  • Step 3 : Your token number is called and they will take your Photo and Fingerprints
  • Step 4 : They stamp your Biometrics Appointment Letter after the process is complete. The stamp indicates that your biometrics are taken proof that you visited the ASC. See below sample of the stamp given at ASC. Thanks to our user for sharing the stamped letter at ASC. At the end of article we have the full receipt notice with stamp as well for your reference on how it looks.
  • Step 5 : Wait for the decision from USCIS. Your Biometrics status is may or may not reflect on the USCIS status. Sometimes, you will continue to see the status “Case Was Received” , which is the status before  giving the biometrics.
    • Update : One of our readers shared that they have seen a status update on USCIS that says ‘Fingerprint Review was completed’. So, some of you may say this status
  • Step 6 : Decision from USCIS [ waiting for it. ]

Common FAQs on H4 Biometrics, EAD

Can you Travel outside of Country, with H4 Extension/ COS Pending with USCIS ?

Yes, you may travel out of US, but if you travel, your pending H4 Extension / COS with USCIS will be considered abandoned.  There are few scenarios with H4, H4 EAD and travel, read Travel out of US with H4 Extension, COS or H4 EAD Pending ? Options ?  

What will USCIS do with the Biometrics given by you ?

USCIS can use your biometrics/ fingerprints to check criminal history. You can get details of the same by checking your FBI identification record. You may request a copy of your own FBI identification record using procedures listed at Title 28 C.F.R., Section 16.32. You may also get it corrected or updated as outlined within the same Title 28 C.F.R., Section 16.34.

Can I reschedule my H4 Biometric Appointment with ASC ?

Yes, you can request to reschedule your appointment, if you cannot make it to ASC on the specified data and time. The process is simple, you make a copy of the Appointment letter for your records, check the box as listed in the ASC Appointment Letter and mail the Original letter to  address BPU, Alexandria ASC, Suite 100, 8850 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22309-1586.

Also, if you have open wound or bandage/casts, when you appear for appointment, USCIS may reschedule the appointment if they believe that they will interfere with taking the biometrics.

What if I am outside of the Country ? H4 Biometrics options outside of US ?

As per USCIS guidance, on their I-539 form instructions (page 12), you should call up the nearest US consulate/ embassy and arrange for the biometrics. It says “If you are currently overseas, instruct you to contact a US Embassy, US Consulate or USCIS Office outside of United States to setup an appointment “,  see below screenshot. USCIS H4 Biometrics - Travel and Outside of the country

What are not allowed at Application Support Center for Biometrics ?

You cannot carry Cell Phones, Cameras or any Recording Devices to the Application Support Center (ASC), when you go for giving biometrics.   Also, due to limited seating, they suggest that only person giving biometrics and who are necessary for transportation or helping with biometrics should be entering ASC.

Customer Support Number for H4 Biometrics ?

You can call the customer support at 1-800-375-5283, if you have any questions around your Biometric appointment Notice or any of the details around the same.

Can I work on H4 EAD, with pending H4 EAD ? 180 days automatic extension ?

No, you cannot work with pending H4 EAD receipt notice as the category of H4 EAD, which is C26 is not eligible for automatic 180 days automatic extension. For all details, official references, read Can you continue to work with Pending H4 EAD Receipt Notice ?

Sample H4 Biometric Appointment Letter (I-797C) for H4, H4 EAD Filing Together

See below screenshot of the sample H4 Biometrics Letter. It has the below details on the same

  • H4 Petition Tracking Number
  • Name and address of the applicant
  • Application Support Center (ASC) Address
  • Date and Time of Appointment at ASC

Sample H4 Biometric Appointment Letter (I-797C) at ASC – Stamped after giving Biometrics

H4 Biometrics USCIS Status – “Fingerprint Review Was Completed”

One of our readers, Navisha, shared that their status was updated on USCIS website after giving biometrics and it says “Fingerprint Review Was Completed ” and looks like below. Some of you may or may not see this, so nothing to worry.  Thanks to Navisha for sharing the below.

H4, H4 EAD Average Processing times with Biometrics

Using the below experiences, we have put up Stats like Average processing time by Service center, so that you get an idea. Below is one example of such average processing time. Check out H4, EAD Average Processing times with Biometrics

Approved H4 Petitions Experiences with Litigation 

Below experience are only for cases, that did not use litigation. If you are looking for ones with H4 Litigation or Lawsuit, read H4 EAD Delays Lawsuit – User Experiences 

How to file USCIS Expedite Request for H4 EAD ?

You can raise an Expedite request with USCIS, if you are eligible for the criteria. Check out the article How to raise USCIS Expedite Request and H4 EAD Expedite Request – 3 Experiences, Letters


Latest H4 Biometrics + EAD Experiences [2021]

Below are the latest H4 Biometrics and EAD related applications experiences that were filed in 2020 with decisions in 2021. Check comments for latest updates.

First time H4+EAD California with Biometrics (Apr 2021)

Shared by anonymous user. Thanks to the user.

  • Oct 26, 2020 – Applications for COS from F-1 to H4 and EAD are delivered to processing center.
  • Nov 16, 2020 – Received receipts with assigned case numbers.
  • Feb 2, 2021 – Received letter with biometric appointment detail.
  • Feb 23, 2021 – Biometric was given.
  • Feb 25, 2021 – H4 Status was updated mentioning biometric is attached with case.
  • April 20, 2021 – New card was being produced.
  • April 21, 2021 – H4 case was approved.
  • April 21, 2021 – EAD case was approved.
  • April 23, 2021 – My card was mailed to me.
  • April 24, 2021 – Received my H4 case approval notice in mail.
  • April 26, 2021 – Received my EAD case approval notice in mail.
  • April 26, 2021 – my EAD card was picked up by USPS and tracking number was shared.
  • April 28, 2021 – my EAD card was delivered to me by USPS.

It took total 6 months – exact same minimum time mentioned on USCIS case processing time. The duration of case processing time keeps varying, so you need to check every month. Usually, case status is updated either early morning or late afternoon and that is what happened in my case. I did not do any request for expedite process for my application. I recommend you maintain patience. The case officers are well familiar with the situation. In my many years of experience in the USA, If you fill your application correctly then I can say that they do their best in terms of processing it.

H4 and H4 EAD Nebraska- Experience 5 ( Feb 2021)

  • H4visa +H4EAD filled 13may
  • Service Center : Nebraska
  • Called USCIS several times and finally placed request for call of tier2 officer. Tier 2 officer called me on 30 dec 2020 and scheduled my biometric appointment
  • Biometric given 29 jan 2021
  • H4EAD approved -19 feb 2021
  • H4 visa approved- 22nd Feb 2021

H4 EAD California, No Biometrics – Experience 4 (Jan 2021)

  • Service Center : California
  • EAD Submitted and Received in USCIS : August 6, 2020
  • RFE received : Dec 14 2020
  • RFE Respond received in USCIS : Dec 18 2020
  • Expedite Request raised : Jan 11 2021 but denied
  • EAD Approved : Jan 20 2021
  • EAD CARD Received : Jan 25 2021

H4+ EAD California with Biometrics – Experience 3 (Jan 2021)

  • H1B Transfer filed on 02/13/2020
  • H1B RFE issued on 02/24/2020
  • H1B RFE responded on 04/20/2020
  • H1B Transferred Approved on 04/30/2020
  • H4+EAD(Spouse+Kids) applied on 10/22/2020
  • Biometrics given on 11/15
  • H4+EAD Approved on 01/11/2021
  • EAD Card dispatched on 01/14/2021
  • Center: California
  • TBH, I had no expectation since CA dates are running behind 18-22 months. I did not reach out to any senator, neither tried to expedite. My experience with both of these has been futile in the previous attempt.
  • I also think the processing times dates given are extreme. Don’t lose hopes, you never know what happens next!

H4 Approval with Biometrics – Experience 2 (Jan 2021)

  • Receipt date : March 26 2020
  • H1B approval : May 12 ( regular processing)
  • Processing center : Texas Service Center.
  • Biometric date : Oct 8
  • Status update on fingerprints : Oct 9
  • Approval Decision : Jan 12th 2021.

Experience 1 – H4 Biometrics +EAD ( Jan 2021)

Thanks to Nitin.

This week my application for H4/EAD got approved. I think this was by far the fastest. My application for H1B was approved in January 2021.

  • Filed for H4 & EAD in October 2020
  • Service Center : CSC
  • Biometrics in December 2020
  • Biometrics given in Massachusetts State
  • Approved: Jan 7th, 2021.
  • No Expedite request filed
  • Did not reach out to senator or anyone. I know that recent applications have now been getting processed faster.

Complete list of Over 100 H4 Biometrics + EAD Experiences [2020]

Below are the complete list of H4 filing Experiences with Biometrics and EAD that are from Year 2020. Latest one is the bottom.


H4 + H4 EAD with Biometrics Experience – #1

  • Documents sent to USCIS Offices : March 26th, 2019
  • Documents Received by USCIS at Vermont : March 27th, 2019
  • All three (H1B, H4, H4 EAD ) receipts generated : March 28th, 2019
    • Processing time – 1 day from documents received by USCIS
    • H4 Biometric Notice was generated as well.
  • H1B Petition Approved : April 3rd, 2019
    • Processing time – 6 days from receipt generated date
  • H4 Biometric Letter Received : April 5th, 2019
    • Processing time – 8 days from receipt generated date
  • H4 Biometric Appointment : April 19th, 2019
    • Appointment date – 21 days from H4 receipt generated date
  • H4 Biometrics Given : April 11th, 2019
    • Walked in to a Application Support center, as they gave out of state location, ASC accepted it and gave biometrics.
  • Travel out of Country in Ship –  H4  I-94 updated : May 20, 2019
    • Traveled out of Country and re-entered with valid H4 visa ( previous H4 stamp valid till mid July )
    • CBP officer at port of entry gave I-94 with H4 on it until end of new H1B approved in April 2019.
    • Technically H4 status is extended until end of H1B expiry.
  • H4 EAD Decision  Online :  June 11th, 2019
    • Online Status of H4 EAD Changed to “New Card is being produced” ( see below screenshot )
  • H4 Visa Application I-539 form Approved : June 12th, 2019
    • The status of I-539 Extension shows “Case Was Approved” on USCIS website.  Yet to receive the notice. See below. We need to see what happens to I-94 number.
  • H4 Approval, EAD Approval :  June 17th, 2019 in Mail.
    • For H4, Online Status Says “Case Was received”, but under DHS account it says Approved.
  • H4 EAD Physical Card : June 19th, in Mail
    • Online Status says “Card Was Delivered “

H4 Approved Status Online

H4 EAD Status updated to Card Ordered

H4 Biometrics Process Experience #2 

Ram shared his experience  Timelines on H4 + H1B with Biometric Processing. Thanks to Ram !  


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

H4 Status still shows as “Receipt Received” as of May 22nd. Since we had India plans, we have requested H1 Copy so that the my spouse can carry it for stamping. To my surprise, i received H1 & H4 approval copies from attorney.  Check out Sample H4 Approval Notice with Biometrics – shared by User 

H4 Biometrics – Premium Processing H1B  – Experience #3 

Thanks to our reader, anonymous for sharing their experience

  • Applied H4 and H4 EAD:  April 12, 2019
    • Applied in Premium Processing for H1B
    • Filing Center : Vermont 
  • H1B Approved : April 30th, 2019
  • H4 Biometric Letter : Arrived on May 12th, 2019
  • H4 Biometrics Completed :  May 22nd, 2019
  • H4 EAD Approved on USCIS website :  June 24, 2019
    • H4 EAD status says New Card is being Produced, see below screenshot
    • Still H4 Status says “Case Received”
    • As the card is issued, assuming that H4 is also approved, but the online system is not updated. So, may not be accurate online messages. 
    • Next steps to be updated.

H4 + H4 EAD Approval Case Experience #4

Thanks to Hima.

H1B+H4+H4 EAD applied extension on Premium Processing.

Vermont was the Service Center.

  • Application send on April 13th
  • H1B Approved on April 19th
  • H4 Biometrics appointment done on May 10th
  • H4 & EAD approved on June 19th and received the courtesy copy on June 24th.
    • H4 Online status has also changed to case approved.
  • Waiting for the originals and EAD card.

Took 66 days from application and 39 days from Biometrics for the H4 case and EAD to be approved. 

H4 Approval Case Experience #5

Thanks to Desi guy 

  • Filed in Vermont Service Center
  • H1B+H4 Extension Request in Premium Mode – April 29,2019
  • H1B+H4 Extension Receipt – May 1,2019
  • H4 Biometrics Appointment Letter Received – May 5,2019
  • H1B Approval Date – May 7,2019
  • H4 Biometrics Date – May 21,2019
  • I-797(H1B) Hard Copy Received – May 30,2019
  • H4 Approval Date – June 20,2019
  • I-797(H4) Hard Copy Received – June 24,2019

H4 Biometrics Experience #6

Thanks to other user, anonymous, who shared their experience with the community. Below is the process.

  • Documents Needed : Passport, Appointment notice.
  • Outcome: They will stamp acknowledgement of your attendance on same appointment notice
  • Details of Biometric Process: Smooth process . No hassles. We went before they opened at 8:00 am and we got token number 3. So it was pretty quick .
  • One minor issue:  Wife did not have Alien number as she is not eligible for EAD yet. So they double checked her details and continued with process. Not any obstacle.

H4 Processing Timeline at CSC

  • Service Center : California Service Center 
  • H1B + H4 Filed in Premium : March 26th.
  • H4 Receipt Generated : March 27th
  • H1B Receipt Generated : March 28th
  • H1B Approved : April 4th
  • Biometric Notice Generated : April 5th
  • Biometric Notice Received : April 13th.
  • Biometrics Completed : April 26th
  • H4 Approval Notice Received :  June 24th
    • Only Courtesy Notice received so far, waiting for official notice. 
    • Processing time about 59 Days from Biometrics completion to get approval notice
    • Processing time of 90 days from filing the H4 petition. 
    • USCIS Online status still says ” Case Was Received” 

H4 Biometrics Process Experience # 7

Thanks to user Neo29J for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • Service Center : Vermont
  • H1B + H4 COS + H4 EAD Filed :  May 7th, 2019 – USCIS received H1,H4 COS and H4 EAD application in Premium Processing 
  • H1B Approved : May 15th, 2019
  • Attended Biometrics : May 29th, 2019 in Boston
  • H4 EAD case status Change :  June 30th – H4 EAD case status changed to “New card is being produced”. H4 COS status is not yet changed.
  • H4, EAD  Approval Courtesy Notices : July 5, 2019  – Received my H4 and EAD courtesy approval notices.
    • 59 Days for Approval from H4 Filing Date
    • 37 Days for Approval after H4 Biometrics 
    • Waiting on H4 EAD card

Vermont H4 experience Approved #8

Thanks to user H123123 for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • Filing Center : Vermont
  • H1 & H4 in Premium Processing  : 3/26 Submitted
  • H1B Approved : 4/5 
  • H4 Biometrics Letter  : 4/9 mail with Biometric for 4/26 appointment received
  • Biometrics done date : 4/26 Walking for biometric with a print out of I797C( appointment notice) Done
  • H4 Approval : 7/2
    • Approved in 98 days from actual filing
    • Approved in 67 days after Biometrics were done.
    • Approval notices arrived in mail
    • Online status changed to case approved.

Vermont H4 Biometrics experience Approved #9

Thanks to user RC for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • Processing Center: Vermont
  • H1 +H4+H4 EAD filed under Premium Processing  on:  5/3.
    • It was a transfer as well and old H1 was expiring on May 13, 2019.
  • H1 Approved: 5/13
  • H1 Approval Notice Arrival: 5/20
  • H4 Biometric Appointment was on : 5/22
  • H4 EAD Online status changed to “New Card is being produced” on 7/9
    • H4 online status is still the same “…can’t provide information….”.
  • We received H4 EAD card today 7/12 and collected H4 Approval notice from employer’s attorney office today as well.
    • H4 + H4 EAD Approved in 67 days from filing
    • H4 + H4 EAD Approved in 48 days from Biometrics
    • H4 online still says “USCIS can’t provide information….”. H4 EAD status is “Card has been delivered….”.

California H4 experience Approved #10

Thanks to user kym for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • Service Center – California
  • H4+H1B+H4 EAD Filing : 04/29/2019 – Filled H1, H4 and H4 EAD in premium processing.
  • H1B Approved : 05/09/2019 
  • Completed Biometrics appointment. : 05/22/2019 
  • Follow up with Senator to talk to USCIS : 07/09/2019 – Provided my case details to local senator office, they did follow up with USCIS on 07/09 and USCIS replied back to the senators office on 07/10 and mentioned that H4 and EAD will no longer be processed under premium.
  • H4 EAD Card Produced :
    • 07/10/2019 – Case status for EAD shows “New card is being produced”.
    • H4 case status still shows “fingerprint review completed”.
    • Waiting for H4 EAD Card, H4 Approval Notice. 
    • Very likely H4 Approved as H4 EAD card status is changed to New Card is being Produced. 

Vermont H4 experience Approved #11

Thanks to user ‘Finally’ for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • Processing Center: Vermont
  • H1 +H4+H4 EAD filed under PP on April 11th.(4/11)
  • H1 Approved: 4/18
  • H1 Approval Notice Arrival: 4/20
  • H4 Biometric Appointment was on : 4/29
  • 7/15 : received H4 EAd and h4 approval notices along with the new h4ead card.
    • H4 and H4 EAD Approved after 95 Days from Filing 
    • H4 approved after 77 days after Biometrics 
    • H4 online status is still the same “case was received”
    • H4 EAD online status says “card was delivered ”

Vermont H4 experience Approved #12

Thanks to user ‘HJ’ for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • Service Center : Vermont
  • 4/18 – USCIS received H1, H4 and H4 EAD extension application in PP (Vermont).
  • 04/25 – Received biometric notice for H4 extension.
  • 04/29 – H1B Approved.
  • 05/06 – Attended Biometrics.
  • 07/06 – Received mail that H4 is approved.
  • 07/11 – Received H4 extension.
    • Attorney received the approval notice and forward the physical mail to us.
    • Processing time 84 days for H4 Approval from filing date
    • Processing time 66 days from Biometrics Date for H4 Approval 
    • Waiting for H4-EAD.
    • Status of H4 and H4-EAD still shows as “Case Received” on USCIS website.

CSC H4 experience Approved #13

Thanks to user ‘Anonymous’ for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • 04/25/2019–> H1B+H4+H4EAD Applied in PP at CSC
  • 05/07/2019–> H1B Approved.
  • 05/23/2019–> Biometric Completed.
  • 07/15/2019–> Received H4-EAD approval notice by USPS.
    • H4 Approved in 81 days from H4 Filing
    • H4 Approved in 53 days after H4 biometrics 
    • H4 Status on USCIS website still shows as Case Received.
    • H4-EAD status showing as “Card Was Mailed To Me”
  • 7/172019 : H4 EAD Card Arrived in Mail. 

Nebraska H4 experience Approved #14

Thanks to user ‘SK’ for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • 04/26/2019–> H1B+H4+H4EAD Applied in PP at Nebraska
  • 05/03/2019–> RFE Received for H1B.
  • 05/10/2019–> Biometrics Completed.
  • 05/22/2019–> Response to RFE was submitted
  • 05/28/2019–> H1B Approved
  • 07/17/2019–> H4 status shows as Name was Updated and H4 EAD status shows as New Card is being produced.
    • Assuming H4 is Approved as H4 EAD says card produced.
    • H4 Approved after 82 Days from H4 Submission
    • H4 Approved after 68 Days from H4 Biometrics 
    • Waiting for Physical Copies. 

California H4 experience Approved #15

Thanks to user ‘An H4’ for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • Service Center : CSC – California 
  • May 10th 2019 — h1b,h4,h4ead applied in PP
  • May 17th 2019– h1b approved
  • June 7th 2019 — h4 biometric Completed
  • July 25 2019 — h4, h4 ead got approved
    • H4 Approved in 76 Days from H4 Filing 
    • H4 Approved in 48 Days from Biometrics Completion

California H4 experience Approved #16

Thanks to user ‘Anonymous’ for sharing the experience in our WhatsApp group.

Applied H1, H4 & H4 EAD in Premium processing.

  • Center: California
  • Receipt Date: April 8
  • H1B Approved: April 15
  • H4 Biometric: April 30
  • H4 & EAD approved : July 16
    • H4 Approved after 99 Days from H4 Receipt Date 
    • H4 Approved after 77 Days from H4 Biometrics Completion 
  • EAD Card Received: July 25

Nebraska H4 experience Approved #17

  • Service Center : Nebraska Service Center
    • H1+H4+H4EAD concurrent filing (Premium processing)
  • Submitted all three applications: 3rd June 2019
  • Received RFE for H1: 12th June 2019
  • Biometrics for H4 was done on June 27th 2019
  • Submitted H1 RFE response: July 16th 2019
  • H1B Approved: July 23 2019
  • H4 EAD case status changed to Card being produced July 23 2019
  • H4 EAD case status changed to Card was mailed on July 25 2019
    • H4 EAD / H4 Approved after 50 Days from H4 Receipt Date 
    • H4 Approved after 26 Days from H4 Biometrics Completion 
    • Waiting for physical copies. 

Nebraska H4 experience Approved #18

Thanks to user ‘H4 EAD worker Nebraska center’ for sharing the experience 

  • Service Center : Nebraska 
  • H1B + H4 Filed in Premium : March 28th 2019
  • H4 & H4 EAD Receipt Generated : April 1st 2019
  • H1B Receipt Generated : April 1st 2019
  • H1B Approved : April 5th 2019
  • Biometric Notice Generated : April 5th 2019
  • Biometric Notice Received : April 10-12th 2019
  • Biometric Appointment: April 24th 2019
  • H4 & H4 EADApproval Notice Received : July 30th ,2019
    • H4 Approved after 124 Days from initial application  date
    • H4 Approved after 97 Days from Biometrics Completion
    • Still online status says “Card generated” after getting approval for H4 EAD and for h4 it says name updated
    • I have not done any litigation or expedite .

California H1B to H4 COS experience Approved #19

Thanks to user ‘SV’ for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • H1B to H4 COS – CSC
  • Receipt Dates for H4 and H4 EAD are May 31st and  May 28 .
    • During this time H1B was in RFE phase.
  • Biometrics completed on June 19th.
  • H1b approved on July 15th.
  • Status of EAD was changed to ‘card production’ July 24th
  • H4 is approved today July 25th.
    • H4 Approved after 55 days from Filing
    • H4 EAD approved in 54 Days from Filing 
    • H4 Approved in 36 days from Biometrics 
  • H4 approval notices in mail on July 29
  • H4 EAD card received on August 1st.

Nebraska  H4 experience Approved #20

Thanks to user ‘Anish’ for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • Service Center : Nebraska
  • H1B + H4 Filed in Premium : March 28th 2019
  • H1B Approved : April 5th 2019
  • H4 EAD Filed : April 10th 2019
  • Biometric Appointment: April 16th 2019
  • H4 Approval : August 1st ,2019
    • H4 Approved in 126 Days from filing
    • H4 Approved in 107 Days from Biometrics  
  • H4 EAD – Still Pending

California  H4 experience, H1B RFE Approved #21

Thanks to user ‘Nick S’ for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • April 8,2019: H1+H4+H4 EAD applied in PP, California SC
  • April 11: Received H1 RFE
  • Initial bio metric appointment was on May 3rd, rescheduled to June 4th and completed bio metric on June 4th.
  • July 3rd: Responded to RFE
  • July 12: H1 Approved
  • July 30: EAD status changed to “New Card is being produced”, H4 status changed to “Case is Approved”
    • H4 Approved after 113 days from Filing H4 
    • H4 Approved after 56 days from Biometrics Completion  
  •  July 31: EAD status changed to “Card has been mailed”
  • August 2: Received EAD and H4 approval notices and EAD card in mail.

California  H4 experience Approved #22

Thanks to user ‘Anandi’ for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • H1/H4 filled under Premium Processing – May 16th in CSC
  • H1 approved – May 22nd
  • H4 biometric done – June 7th
  • H4 approved – July 30th
    • H4 Approved after 75 days from Filing H4 
    • H4 Approved after 53 days from Biometrics Completion
  • H4 paper received -Aug 1st
    • Waiting for Child H4 approval 

California  H4 experience Approved #23

Thanks to user ‘Anonymous’ for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • 17th May — H1/H4/ H4-EAD applied in premium at CSC
  • 23rd May — H1B approval
  • 5th June — H4 biometrics completed(This status was never updated on the website)
  • 30th July — H4 EAD card produced
  • 31st July — H4 EAD approved
  • 31st July — H4 approved
    • H4 Approved after 75 Days from Filing 
    • H4 Approved after 56 days from Biometrics Completed Date 
  • 1st Aug — H4 EAD card dispatched
  • 2nd Aug — H4 EAD tracking # updated
  • 3rd Aug — H4 EAD card received
    • These are the only status changes seen on the application.
    • We have not received H4/H4 EAD approval notices yet.

California  H4 experience Approved #24

Thanks to user ‘Anonymous’ for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • Service Center: California.
  • Receipt Num: WAC19188XXXXX
  • 05/02 – USCIS received H1/H4 application in PP
  • 05/09 – H1B Approved.
  • 05/12 – Biometrics notice generated
  • 05/12 – Received receipt numbers for H4
  • 05/21 – Attended Biometrics.
  • 07/29 – Raised Expedite Request citing financial loss by calling customer care.
  • 07/30 – Received mail saying “Your case is currently being adjudicated.
    • You should receive a notice of action in 45 days”. Did not ask for any proof
  • 08/01 – Status changed to “Card is being produced”.
  • 08/02 – Status changed to “Approved” for both H4 and H4 EAD.
    • H4 Approved after 92 Days from Filing 
    • H4 Approved after 73 days from Biometrics Completed Date

Nebraska  H4 + EAD experience Approved #25

Thanks to user ‘Anonymous’ for sharing the experience in our WhatsApp Group. 

  • Nebraska Service Center.
  • Filed H1b extension with premium processing along with H4 extension & H4 EAD all together during end of March.
  • H1B Approved : 1 week after applying. ( April 1st week )
  •  H4 extension biometric : April 25th.
    • Till yesterday no status changed from initial status, so wasn’t sure what’s happening.
    • No status strange on USCIS website till last week.
  • H4, EAD Approved : Aug-8-2019.
    • Got my wife’s H4 Extension approved as well as EAD card delivered today by USPS.
    • Checked status today and delighted to see both H4 extension status approved as well as EAD delivered to mailbox.
    • H4 Approved in 136 Days from Filing
    • H4 Approved in 105 days from Biometrics Completion

California  H4 COS + EAD experience, Separately filed – Approved #26

Thanks to user ‘Pratik’ for sharing the experience in our WhatsApp Group. 

  • 8th May – COS and H4 EAD application Filed Together
    • Not filed with H1B 
    • California Service Centre
  • 30th May – Biometric Completed
  • I539 – COS – Approved 24th July
    • H4 Approved after 78 Days from H4 Filing 
    • H4 Approved after 56 Days from Biometrics Completion
  • I-765 – H4 EAD : Card Production Ordered- 31st July
    • H4 EAD approved after 84 days from filing. 
  • Mailed New Card – 5th August
  • USPS Picked up the Card – 6th August
  • USPS Delivered the Card – 8th August.

Nebraska  H4 + EAD experience – Approved #27

Thanks to user ‘H4EAD-NSC’ for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • Service Center : NSC
  • H1/ H4-EAD filed in PP on Apr 2nd 2019.
  • H1B approved on Apr 9th 2019.
  • H4 biometrics on Apr 25th 2019.
  • H4 EAD expedite request based on significant financial loss placed on July 30th. No confirmation email received.
  • H4 EAD approved on Aug 8th 2019
  • Card ordered on Aug 8th 2019.
    • H4 EAD Approved in 128 days from filing
    • No change in H4 status. Assuming it is approved since H4 EAD approval is dependent on it.
      • H4 Approved in 128 days from filing 
      • H4 Approved in 105 days from Biometrics completion.
  • Received H4 EAD Physical Card on Aug 14th.  

Nebraska  H4 + EAD experience – Approved #28

Thanks to user ‘Ranjan’ for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • Service Center : NSC.
  • H1/H4/H4 EAD in PP : Received Date – 27th March
  • H1 approved – 4th April
  • Biometrics – 17th April
  • H4/EAD expired – 18th July
  • Expedite request accepted – 7th Aug
    •  Called USCIS to expedite under severe financial loss, they did not ask for any documents. Mentioned the loss of job.
  • H4/EAD approved – 8th Aug.
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 134 days from filing 
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 113 days from Biometrics completion.

Nebraska  H4 + EAD experience – Approved #29

Thanks to user ‘Vimal’ for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • Service Center : Nebraska Service Center.
  • April 11,2019: H1+H4+H4 EAD applied in PP
  • H1B approved – April 17, 2019
  • Initial bio metric appointment was on Apr 30, 2019
  • Aug 09: H4 and EAD status changed to “Case is Approved”
    • H4  + EAD Approved in 120 days from filing 
    • H4  + EAD Approved in 101 days from Biometrics completion.
    • Still waiting for physical copies
    • I have not done any litigation or expedite .

VSC  H4 + EAD experience – Approved #30

Thanks to user ‘Yugan’ for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • H1B Transfer(I-129), H4 Extension(I-539) + H4-EAD Extension(I-765) from VSC with Premium Processing.
  • April 19th, 2019 -> H1B, H4 Extension, H4-EAD Received Date
  • May 1st, 2019 -> H1B Transfer Approved
    • Took 12 days from Received Date for H1B Transfer to be Approved.
  • May 4th, 2019 -> H4 Biomterics Appointment Notice Received with an Appointment Date on May 13th, 2019
    • Took 15 days from Received Date to get the H4 Biomterics Appointment Notice.
    • Took 24 Days from Received Date for the H4 Biometrics Appointment
  • May 13th, 2019 -> H4 Biomterics Appointment Completed (The Petition status never reflected the completion of Biomterics Appointment after that)
  • August 6th, 2019 -> H4 EAD Case Status Changed to “Card/Document Production – Ordered New Card”
  • August 6th, 2019 -> H4 EAD Case Status Changed to “Post Decision Activity – Approved Form I765”
  • August 9th, 2019 -> H4 EAD Case Status Changed to “Card/Document Production – Mailed New Card”
  • August 10th, 2019 -> H4 EAD Case Status Changed to “Card/Document Production – Post Office Delivered Card”
  • August 12th, 2019 -> H4 Approval Notice Received but Online Status still shows as “Case Was Received”
    • H4 Approved in 115 Days from Original Filing 
    • H4 Approved in 91 days from Biometrics completion. 
    • Took 109 Days from Received Date for the H4 EAD to be Approved.
    • Took 85 Days from Biometrics Appointment for the H4 EAD to be Approved
    • I believe the online status of H4 petitions doesn’t get updated and most often do not reflect the up to date status.

NSC  H4 + EAD experience – Approved #31

Thanks to user ‘VJ’ for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • Service Center: NSC
  • H1+H4+H4 EAD Filed concurrently in premium processing
  • Received Date: April 11 2019
  • H1 Approval Date: April 16 2019
  • H4 Biometrics: April 29 2019
  • H4 EAD Card Produced: Aug 12 2019
    • H4 EAD Approved in 123 days from filing
    • Like all other cases H4 case status is not updated. Both approvals (H4 and H4 EAD) and card will come in mail.
      • H4 Approved in 123 days from filing 
      • H4 Approved in 105 days from Biometrics completion. 
    • Please note that: Email notification of EAD card production is received on Aug 12 2019 afternoon. Text message notification is received later during the night.
    • Please register your email ID too in USCIS website .
      All the best for upcoming approvals for all your cases

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #32

Thanks to user ‘Hima Bindu’  for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • Service Center : NSC 
  • H1+H4+H4EAD in PP – receive date is April 15th NSC
  • H1 approved in a week – April 22nd
  • Biometrics Date H4 : May 6
  • H4 EAD – New Card produced Aug 12th
    •  H4 EAD Approved in 119 days from filing
    • Assuming H4 is approved as H4 EAD approved.
      • H4 Approved in 119 days from filing 
      • H4 Approved in 98 Days from Biometrics Date 
    • Tried everything Senate, Congressman and USCIS direct Expedite request. Got denied request at-least 4 times. Happy that it was approved yesterday as my current EAD ends Aug 28th. Didn’t file litigation, planned to file but I missed the dead line date many times and I was in a state of time line where if I file it or not wouldn’t affect my EAD extension on time so in my case not filing was a good option. Good Luck everyone. My receipt no. is LIN191495XXXX
  • H4 and EAD Approval Notices arrived on August 16th
    • Arrived in 4 Days in mail 
    • Received it for full 3 years term as with H1B. 

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #33

Thanks to user ‘RB’  for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • Nebraska Service Center
  • H1+H4+H4EAD in PP – receive date is May 7th @ NSC
  • H1 approved – May 9th
  • Biometric Appointment for H4 – May 17th
  • H4 – Pending
  • H4 EAD – New Card produced Aug 13th
    • H4 EAD Approved in 98 days from filing
    • Assuming H4 is approved as H4 EAD approved.
      • H4 Approved in 98 days from filing 
      • H4 Approved in 88 Days from Biometrics Date 

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #34

Thanks to user ‘Kavitha’  for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • March 25 ,2019: H1+H4+H4 EAD applied in PP – Nebraska
  • H1B approved – April 10, 2019
  • Initial bio metric appointment was on Apr 16, 2019
  • Aug 14: H4 EAD status changed to New card is ordered
    •  H4 EAD Approved in 142 days from filing
    • Assuming H4 is approved as H4 EAD approved.
      • H4 Approved in 142 days from filing 
      • H4 Approved in 120 Days from Biometrics Date 
    • H4 still pending
    • H4 EAD receipt number: LIN191325XXXX
    • Still waiting for physical copies
    • I have not done any litigation or expedite .

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #35

Thanks to user ‘Anil’  for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • Our timelines at NSC
  • April 8: H1(PP)+H4+H4 EAD filed
  • H4/EAD status: Case Received
  • April 10: H1 Approved
  • May 1: Biometrics
  • August 14: H4 EAD status changed to New Card Is Being Produced
    • H4 EAD Approved in 128 days from filing
    • Assuming H4 is approved as H4 EAD approved.
      • H4 Approved in 128days from filing 
      • H4 Approved in 105 Days from Biometrics Date

CSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #36

Thanks to user ‘Nilisha’  for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • Center: CSC
  • 5/10 – H1+H4+H4EAD Concurrent Filing with Premium Processing.
  • 5/24 – H1B approved.
  • 5/31- Biometrics done. Original appointment for June 6th. Did early Walk-in.
  • 8/14 – H4 and H4EAD Approved.
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 96 days from filing 
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 75 Days from Biometrics Date

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #37

Thanks to user ‘NSC_approval‘  for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • Service Center: NSC
  • April 11th:H1(PP)+H4+H4 EAD filed
    • H1B Premium processing.
  • May 2nd: Biometrics completed 
  • August 14th: H4 EAD status changed to New Card Is Being Produced, H4 status changed to approved
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 125 days from filing 
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 104 Days from Biometrics Date
  • August 16th: Card was mailed

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #38

Thanks to user ‘NSC Applicant‘  for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • Service Center: NSC
  • April 17th: H1(PP)+H4+H4 EAD filed
    • H1B Premium processing 
  • April 27th: Biometrics done
  • August 16th:H4 EAD status changed to New Card Is Being Produced
    • No litigation or expedite request
    • H4 EAD Approved in 121 days from filing
    • Assuming H4 is approved as H4 EAD approved.
      • H4 Approved in 121 days from filing 
      • H4 Approved in 111 Days from Biometrics Date

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience, Traveled out – Approved #39

Thanks to user ‘PA‘  for sharing the experience in comments.

  • April 09 , 2019: H1+H4+H4 EAD applied in PP – Nebraska
  • H1B approved – April 22, 2019
  • Bio metric appointment on May 01, 2019
  • Aug 16: H4 EAD status changed to New card is ordered
    • H4 EAD Approved in 129 Days.
    • Assuming H4 Approved as EAD approved
      • H4 Approved in 129 Days from Filing
      • H4 Approved in 107 Days  after Biometrics 
    • H4 still case received, but traveled out of country in between so have new extended I-94. H4 EAD receipt number: LIN1914450XXX
    • Still waiting for physical copies
    • I have not done any litigation.
    • Expedited 2 times, first with help of Senator and second self but both were denied.

CSC  – H4 + EAD experience Approved #40

Thanks to user ‘H4EAD_May14_Aug16‘  for sharing the experience in comments.

  • H1+H4+H4 EAD filed at CSC – 14th May
  • Bio-metrics – 6th June
  • H4 EAD status changed to New Card is being produced – August 16
    • H4 EAD Approved in 94 Days.
    • Assuming H4 Approved as EAD approved
      • H4 Approved in 94 Days from Filing
      • H4 Approved in 71 Days  after Biometrics 
    • H4 status still shows Case Received
    • NO expedite or follow-up calls.

Nebraska  – H4 + EAD experience Approved #41

Thanks to user ‘MG‘  for sharing the experience in comments.

  • Nebraska Service Center
  • April 15: H1(PP)+H4+H4 EAD Case Received
  • April 22: H1 Approved
  • May 10: Biometrics
  • Aug 19: New Card Is Being Produced
    • H4 EAD Approved in 126 Days.
    • Assuming H4 Approved as EAD approved
      • H4 Approved in 126 Days from Filing
      • H4 Approved in 101 Days  after Biometrics 
      • Receipt: LIN1914950XXX

CSC  – H4 + EAD experience with EAD RFE Approved #42

Thanks to user ‘David‘  for sharing the experience in comments.

  • May 1st ,2019: H1+H4+H4 EAD extension applied in PP – California
  • H1B approved – May 8th , 2019
  • Initial bio metric appointment was on May 23rd, 2019
  • July 12th H4 approved
    • H4 Approved in 72 Days from filing
    • H4 Approved in 50 Days from Biometrics
  • July 18th H4ead renew RFE for spouse pay-stub
  • July 24th replied RFE
  • Aug 14: H4 EAD status changed to H4EAD approved
    • H4 EAD Approved in 105 days from filing 
  • Aug 19: H4 EAD card is mailed.
    • Now we are waiting for new card.

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience Approved #43

Thanks to user ‘Vigbal‘  for sharing the experience in comments.

  • Processing Centre: Nebraska
  • H1B+H4+EAD applied on 04/05/2019
  • H1B Approved on 04/15/2019
  • H4 Biometric Appointment received for 04/23/2019
  • H4 Biometric scan finished at Santa Clara CA on 04/26/2019
  • H4 + EAD Approved on Aug 19th
    • H4+ EAD approved in 136 Days from filing 
    • H4 + EAD approved in 118 Days from Biometrics completion
    • Finally got it approved on August 19th after requesting to expedite twice, both of which failed and wasn’t part of any litigation

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience Approved #44

Thanks to user ‘Naren‘  for sharing the experience in comments.

  • Nebraska Service Center
  • April 22: H1(PP)+H4+H4 EAD Case Received
  • April 29: H1 Approved
  • May 13: Biometrics
  • Aug 19: New Card Is Being Produced
    • H4 and H4 EAD Approved in 118 Days.
    • H4 and H4 EAD Approved in 98 Days.
    • Receipt: LIN1915451XXX
    • No expedited request or lawsuit.

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience Approved #45

Thanks to user ‘H4Nsc‘  for sharing the experience in comments

  • H1/H4/H4 EAD: Case was received – April 16- Nebraska
  • H1 approved : April 18
  • Biometric: 24 July, it got delayed due to system error
  • H4 EAD: Aug 20- New card is being produced
    • H4 EAD Approved in 126 Days.
    • Assuming H4 Approved as EAD approved
      • H4 Approved in 126  Days from Filing
      • H4 Approved in 27 Days  after Biometrics 
  • No update on H4
    • I have raised multiple expedite requests in this whole process and It got denied immediately.
    • I have raised an another expedite request on August 19th as I have lost my job because my current EAD got expired on August 12th.

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience Approved #46

Thanks to user ‘NSP‘  for sharing the experience in comments

  • Service center: NSC
  • 15 April 2019: Applied H1+H4+EAD in PP
  • 25 April 2019: H1 Approved
  • 10 May 2019: Biometric done
  • 3 & 26 June 2019: Raised couple of expedite requests, they are denied in next day/two.
  • July 2019: Due to emergency traveled to India. Stamping for H1+H4 is
    approved through dropbox.
  • 12 Aug 2019: Raised another expedite request which is also denied
    eventually.
  • 14 Aug 2019: Status changed to card was ordered and on the same
    day status changed to Case was approved.
    • H4 EAD approved in 121 Days
  • 19 Aug 2019: Status updated to Card was mailed
  • 21 Aug 2019: Card Received.
    • No litigation filed.

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience Approved #47

Thanks to user ‘RK‘  for sharing the experience in comments

  • 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
    • H4 EAD Approved in 121 Days 
  • August 19th : H4 approval
    • H4 Approved in 124 days from Filing  
    • H4 Approved in 104 Days from Biometrics 
  • 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.

CSC  – H4 experience, EAD filed later Approved #48

Thanks to user ‘gnit‘  for sharing the experience in comments

  • H1&H4 applied at California on May 30th.
  • H1 got approved on 10th June.
  • Biometrics on 21 June.
  • Applied EAD on July 17th.
  • Aug 17th it says New Card is being produced.
    • H4 EAD approved in 30 Days from filing.
    • Assuming H4 approved as well.
      • H4 Approved in 79 Days from filing 
      • H4 Approved in 57 Days from Biometrics
  • On 20th Aug, H4 status changed to biometrics review completed.

NSC  – H4 experience, EAD filed later Approved #49

Thanks to user ‘NSCFinallyApproved‘  for sharing the experience in comments

  • Nebraska Service Center
  • H1+H4+H4EAD in PP – receive date is April 17th @ NSC
  • Biometric Appointment for H4 – May 6th
  • H4 – Date of Birth was updated Aug 21st
  • H4 EAD – New Card produced Aug 21st
    • H4 EAD approved in 126 days 
    • Assuming H4 approved as well.
      • H4 Approved in 126 Days from filing 
      • H4 Approved in 107 Days from Biometrics
    • No expedite request or litigation.

NSC  – H4 experience, EAD filed later Approved #50

Thanks to user ‘Headache_from_Nebraska‘  for sharing the experience in comments

  • H1b + H4 + H4 EAD filed in premium.
  • Receipt Date: April 17th.
  • H1b Approval : April 25th.
  • H4 : Case was received.
  • Biometrics: May 10th. (Completed by walk-in on May 8th.)
  • H4 EAD : New Card is being produced – Aug 21st.
    • H4 EAD Approved in 126 Days  
    • Assuming H4 approved as well.
      • H4 Approved in 126 Days from filing 
      • H4 Approved in 103 Days from Biometrics
    • Receipt Num: LIN1915250XXX
  • Aug 21 – New card ordered.
  • Aug 22 – Case approved.
  • Aug 26 – Card was mailed.
  • H4 – Case was received.
  • Couple of my observations:
    • Receipt Numbers generated by USCIS is not exactly in the order of application received date. Some of the receipt numbers before mine were from April 18th while my receipt date was for April 17th. This gives us an impression that some how April 18th applications are approved and they might have skipped some of the April 17th applications.
    • My status got updated on Aug 22 at 3AM Pacific time. Probably some cron job updates status in bulk. IMO your case might have been already approved but it does not reflect on the website.

Vermont, NSC  – H4 experience, EAD filed later Approved #51

Thanks to user ‘PS‘  for sharing the experience in comments

  • April 16- H1 and H4 extensions submitted in PP @ NSC
  • April -26 – H1 Approved
  • May 6- H4EAD submitted @ Vermont
  • May 7- biometric completed
  • June 3, tried to expedite H4EAD through congressman and denied.
  • August 19- H4 status changed to name updated.
  • August 22- received H4 approval notice.
    • H4 Approved in 128 Days from Filing 
    • H4 Approved in 107 Days from Biometrics 
  • H4EAD still pending.

CSC  – H4, EAD experience, New Address AR-11 Approved #52

Thanks to user ‘Vikas‘  for sharing the experience in comments

  • H1 case submitted (CSC): April 17th 2019
  • H1 Case approved: April 26th 2019
  • H4 biometrics: May 7th 2019
  • H4 and EAD approved: August 22nd 2019
    • H4 Approved in 127 Days from filing 
    • H4 Approved in 107 Days from Biometrics
    • Although on their website it still doesn’t recognise the receipt number, but fortunately we received hard copy of both H4 and EAD.
    • We were super lucky as just today processing period for H4 in CSC has increased to 5.5 months.
    • Also, we moved to new address , updating AR-11 worked and we received copy on new address (last time updating AR-11 didn’t work and had to pay ~500$ to get a duplicate copy).

NSC  – H4, EAD experience Approved #53

Thanks to user ‘H4 Extension Seeker‘  for sharing the experience in comments

  • April 18 – H1 , H4 extensions and H4 EAD submitted in PP @ NSC
  • April -26 – H1 Approved
  • May 9- biometric complete
  • August 21- Call USCIS and ask to expedite due to financial loss
  • August 23- Expedite request denied
  • August 24- H4 EAD status ‘’New Card is Being Produced
    • H4 EAD Approved in 128 Days  
    • Assuming H4 approved as well.
      • H4 Approved in 128 Days from filing 
      • H4 Approved in 107 Days from Biometrics
  • H4 still pending.

CSC  – H4, EAD experience Approved #54

Thanks to user ‘Prasad‘  for sharing the experience in comments

  • May 20 – H1, H4 and EAD extensions submitted @ CSC
  • June 3 – biometric completed
  • July 17 – H1 converted to Premium
  • July 23 – H1 approved
  • Aug 17 – Both H4 and EAD approved.
    • H4, EAD Approved in 89 Days from filing 
    • H4 Approved in 75 Days from Biometrics
    • Online status for H4 was changed on Aug 23 to “FingerPrint Review Complete”
    • August 22- received H4 approval notice.

NSC  – H4, EAD experience Approved #55

Thanks to user ‘xiunanty‘  for sharing the experience in comments

  • Service Center: NSC
  • H1+H4+H4EAD extension in PP receipt date: March 20
  • H1 RFE: March 27
  • H4 Biometrics: April 18
  • H1 RFE response received: May 9
  • H1 Approved: May 14
  • H4 EAD – New Card produced: Aug 26
    • H4 EAD approved in about 160 days from from receipt date
    • Assuming H4 approved as well.
      • H4 Approved in 160 Days from filing 
      • H4 Approved in 130 Days from Biometrics
    • From July I started try Senator and Congressman inquiries, expedite requests on Aug 19th, out of normal processing inquiry (from last week). 
    • Called senator on Aug 26 morning for help, evening status changed.
  • H4 status changed to Approved on Aug 27. 

CSC  – H4, EAD experience Approved #56

Thanks to user ‘AG‘  for sharing the experience in comments

  • H1B+H4+H4 EAD applied extension on Premium Processing.
  • California Service Center.
  • Application received on May 21st
  • H1B Approved on May 30th
  • H4 Biometrics appointment done on June 10th
  • EAD approved on Aug 22nd (H4 status remains unchanged)
    • H4, EAD Approved in 93 Days from filing 
    • H4 Approved in 73 Days from Biometrics
  • Approval notice for H4 and EAD received by mail on Aug 26th
  • EAD delivered on Aug 27th

NSC  – H4, EAD experience Approved #57

Thanks to user ‘Sahana‘  for sharing the experience in comments

  • April 19- H1B ,H4 ,H4 EAD submitted in PP @ NSC
  • April -26 – H1B Approved
  • May 9- Bio metrics completed
  • August 24- H4 status changed to “Finger Print was completed”
  • August 26- Called them to check the status of my H4 EAD
  • August 27- H4 EAD status changed to “New Card Is Being Produced”
    • H4 EAD approved in about 130 days from from receipt date
    • Assuming H4 approved as well.
      • H4 Approved in 130 Days from filing 
      • H4 Approved in 110 Days from Biometrics
  • August 27- H4 Changed to “Name Was Updated”

NSC  – H4, EAD experience Approved #58

Thanks to user ‘Ramu‘  for sharing the experience in comments

  • Premium H1B+H4+EAD – Renewal
  • Nebraska Service Center
  • Date Received: 03/25/2019
  • H1B Approved: 04/03/2019
  • Biometric given : 4/16/2019
  • Expedite Request: 8/19/2019 denied
  • Out of Processing Time Request: 8/23/2019
  • Fingerprint Review Was Completed : 8/24/2019
  • New Card is being produced : 8/27/2019
    • H4 EAD approved in about 155 days from from receipt date
    • Assuming H4 approved as well.
      • H4 Approved in 155 Days from filing 
      • H4 Approved in 133 Days from Biometrics
    • Waiting for new card and H4 approval

CSC  – L2 to H4 COS + EAD experience – Approved #59

Thanks to user ‘WD’ for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • Service Center: California. CSC
  • Background : L1 to H1B COS, L2 to H4 + EAD
    • Receipt Num: WAC19197XXXXX
  • 05/14 – USCIS received H1/H4+EAD application in PP
  • 06/04 – Biometrics collected (USCIS site never updated)
  • 08/12 – EAD changed to “Name Was Updated”.
  • 08/12 – EAD changed to “New Card is being produced”.
    • H4 EAD Approved in 90 days from filing
    • Assuming H4 is approved as H4 EAD approved.
      • H4 Approved in 90 days from filing 
      • H4 Approved in 69 days from Biometrics completion.
    •  08/12 – H4 still no update, “Case Was Received”.
    • No expedite requested.

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #60

Thanks to user ‘H4/H4 EAD‘  for sharing the experience in comments. 

  • Nebraska Service Center
  • April 16: H1(PP)+H4+H4 EAD Case Received
  • April 20: H1 Approved
  • May 6: Biometrics
  • August 15: H4 EAD status changed to New Card Is Being Produced
    • H4 EAD Approved in 128 days from filing
    • Assuming H4 is approved as H4 EAD approved.
      • H4 Approved in 121 days from filing 
      • H4 Approved in 101 Days from Biometrics Date
    • Receipt Number LIN1915050XXX
    • H4 – Case was received

CSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #61

Thanks to user ‘h4eadwaiting‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • May 28- H1 and H4 extensions + EAD submitted to California center
  • June -6 – H1 Approved
  • June 10 – Biometric completed
  • June 25, tried to expedite H4EAD through congressman .
  • August 23- H4 status changed to finger print completed .
  • August 26- received EAD approval Email.(Card was produced)
    • H4 EAD approved in 148 Days from Filing Date
    • Assuming H4 is approved as H4 EAD approved.
      • H4 Approved in 148 days from filing 
      • H4 Approved in 74 Days from Biometrics Date
  • August 28- Card ( H4EAD) mailed .
  • August 29 – H4 approval notice was received
  • Waiting for H4 EAD Card now.

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #62

Thanks to user ‘Gupta‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • Mar 22 – H1, H4 and EAD extensions submitted in Premium @ Nebraska
  • Apr 1 – H1 approved
  • Apr 18 – biometric completed
  • Aug 14 – Both H4 and EAD approved.
  • Aug 21 – Status updated to card delivered.

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #63

Thanks to user ‘Sam Jain‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • Service Center: Nebraska
  • Applied for H1+H4+EAD in PP on Apr 11.
  • H1 approved – Apr 21.
  • H4 Biometrics – May 6
  • H4 Approved – Aug 20
  • EAD Approved – Aug 20
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 131 Days after filing
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 106 days from Biometrics
  • Received in mail Aug 26
  • Premium Processing

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #64

Thanks to user ‘Nitya‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • Case Received- Apr 18
  • H1b approved-Apr 29
  • Biometric screening-May 6
  • Finger print review completed-Aug 21
  • Expedited H4 EAD- Aug 26
    • Expedite request denied on Aug 29.
  • H4 Approval- Aug 30
  • H4 EAD Approval-Aug 30, my expedited request got denied yesterday.
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 134 Days after filing
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 116 days from Biometrics

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #65

Thanks to user ‘Yogini‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • April 23rd: Case received under H1B+H4_H4 EAD PP (Nebraska)
  • May 1st: H1B Approved
  • July 21st: Expedite request raised through congressman (Denied in 1 week through mail)
  • August 21st: Status changed to Fingerprint review complete @ around noon.
  • Same day raised another expedite request through Senator. This time they did ask to provide documentation which I did.
  • August 29th: Status changed (I-765 only) to Request for additional Information received & has been forwarded to an officer for review.
  • Aug 30th H4 EAD status changed to “New Card is being produced”
    • H4 EAD approved in 129 Days from Filing Date
      Assuming H4 is approved as H4 EAD approved.
    • H4 Approved in 129 days from filing 
    • H4 Approved in 119 Days from Biometrics Date

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #66

Thanks to user ‘Sri‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • H4 EAD Receipt Date : 4/22/19 at NSC
  • Biometrics: 5/13/19Aug
  • Expedite Request through Congressman : 2 times (June and July)
  • Expedite Request through Senator: 1 time (July)
  • Personal Expedite Request by calling Customer Care: 7 times – out of which 6 times was rejected and the last time they said cannot expedite the case because the case is approved and card has been sent for production.
  • H4 status change to Fingerprint Review Completed on 8/21
  • H4 EAD status changed to New Card Is Being Produced, just now around 3PM EST (8/30)
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 130 Days after filing
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 109 days from Biometrics

CSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #67

Thanks to user ‘Amul‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • 4/17 — H1+H4+EAD (CSC)
  • 4/18 — Receipt Dates
  • 4/24 — RFE Received for H1B
  • 7/18 — H1B Approved
  • 8/21 — H4 status changed to “Finger Print Review Completed”
  • 8/30 — EAD status changed to “New Card Is Being Produced”
  • Waiting for further updates
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 135 Days after filing
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 115 days from Biometrics

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #68

Thanks to user ‘Saloni‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • Processing center: Nebraska
  • Applied for H4+EAD(new)
  • Receipt date: April 26th
  • Biometrics appointment: May 21st
  • USCIS update on Aug 28: Card/Document production.
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 124 Days after filing
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 99 days from Biometrics

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #69

Thanks to user ‘MV‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • Service Center: NSC
  • 04/23/2019 – H1B extension +H4 extension +H4EAD renewal – Premium processing ( USCIS Received)
  • 04/25/2019 – H1 approved
  • 05/17/2019 – Biometrics for H4
  • 08/22/2019-Expedited with Congressman and Service Req ( Both got denied last week)
  • 08/24/2019 – Status changed to ‘Finger Print Review Completed’
  • 09/03/2019 – New Card being produced, H4 still in ‘Finger Print Review Completed’
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 133 Days after filing
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 109 days from Biometrics

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #70

Thanks to user ‘FinallyApprovedH4EADFromNSC‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • * April 24th: Case received under H1B+H4_H4 EAD PP (Nebraska)
  • * May 8th: H1B Approved
  • * May 19th: Biometric Done.
  • * July 4th: Updated address.
  • * August 26th: EAD and H4 Extn Expedite request raised through the phone with financial loss reason. No document requested. Both Case statuses were “Case received” * Aug 27th – Expedite requests were assigned to an officer and completed by EOD
  • * August 28th: Status changed (I-765 only) to Request for Additional Information received & has been forwarded to an officer for review.
  • * August 29th: Status changed to – We approved I-765
  • * Aug 30th H4 EAD status changed to “New Card is being produced”
  • * August 29th: H4 status got changed Approved.
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 127 Days after filing
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 102 days from Biometrics
  • * Sept 3rd – Received both approval Notices via post. Also, EAD has updated that card is mailed.

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #71

Thanks to user ‘Finally…‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • Service Center: Nebraska
  • H4/H4 EAD receipt date: April 22nd
  • Approval: Sept 3rd
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 134 Days after filing
  • I did raise an expedite request through USCIS and Congressman, both of which got denied immediately. Finally logged another request on August 30th stating that my EAD was going to expire in 4 days. I received a mail stating that the case is already with an officer and there is no need to expedite it.
  • Also when I called USCIS to raise the expedite request, they told me, NSC received Bio-metrics for my case on August 21st. This was not updated on the online portal. So that might explain why a lot of people are seeing ‘Fingerprint review complete’, because NSC started to get actual bio metrics information in third week of august (smh). I hope this is a sign of the process getting streamlined and hopefully this will trigger faster approvals for everyone who are waiting.

NSC  – H4 / EAD experience – Approved #72

Thanks to user ‘RVN‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • Receipt date: April 29th.
  • Service center – Nebraska
  • From May till July , did 3 or 4 times expedite request by calling USCIS and through senator.
  • Every time I requested expedite, it got denied.
  • Finally tired of request raising and started waiting.
  • August 24th- status of H4 changed to “Fingerprinting completed”.
  • September 4th- New card produced.
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 128 Days after filing
  • H4 status has no change. Now also “Finger printing completed “

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #73

Thanks to user ‘Anu‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • Service Center: Nebraska
  • May 01 : H1/H4/EAD filed in regular processing
  • Aug 05:H1B approved
  • May 22: H4 biometrics completed
  • Aug 25: H4 case status changed to ‘Fingerprint review was completed’.
  • Sept 04:new card is being produced for EAD
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 126 Days after filing
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 105 days from Biometrics
  • H4 status still showing fingerprint is reviewed.

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #74

Thanks to user ‘NoOne‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • Center – NSC
  • May 10 – H1-Ext, New H4 & EAD filed in PP
  • May 23 – Biometric completed
  • May 17 – H1 Approved
  • Aug 12 – Senator expedite request denied on grounds of lack of evidence for urgency
  • Sep 05 – H4 and EAD approved.
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 118 Days after filing
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 105 days from Biometrics
    • Case series LIN***695****
    • It is taking 4 months at NSC to get H4 approvals on average. I have been tracking the cases for quite a while now.
    • Didn’t file R&N litigation as we could wait and had that option. You might want to if you are to loose your job but I feel R&N are monetizing on this unfortunate circumstance of H4 spouses.

CSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #75

Thanks to user ‘Another H4 EAD User‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • H1+H4+EAD in PP at CSC
  • RD– 5/20/2019
  • Fingerprints–6/3/2019
  • No status updates since then
  • 8/8– raised an expedite request with USCIS mentioned abt job and financial loss
  • 8/9–got email from uscis for more evidence
  • 8/12–submitted docs for financial loss. Letter provided by employer
  • No updates after 8/12
  • All of a sudden on 8/21 –Fingerprint review completed on USCIS website
  • 8/23–Requested senator for assistance
  • 8/26–Senator contacted uscis, but uscis asked for same details when I called on 8/8
  • 8/29– contacted uscis again for status updates. they said no updates except an inquiry on 8/26
  • 8/30–H4 EAD status changed to New card produced
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 102 Days after filing
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 88 days from Biometrics
    • 9/4–H4 EAD card being mailed to me
    • 9/5–Added usps tracker
    • H4 status is still case received
    • 9/11–old ead expiry date
    • I have been following this forum and at one stage I thought of going with RN law but later decided to wait. My expedited request status is still not updated and congressman request was not fulfilled by uscis. But I felt like raising awareness to uscis on our case is helping .

CSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #76

Thanks to user ‘Sindhu‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • H1+H4+EAD in PP filed on– 5/30/2019
  • Fingerprints–6/17/2019
  • 8/12– raised an expedite request through senator with USCIS – job and financial loss, my future employer Microsoft gave a support letter too. Status changed on H4 and EAD changed to “expedite request received”
  • 8/13– but expedite request rejected on email but no status change after that.
  • 9/5 – EAD status changed to “new card is being produced”. H4 status is still case received.
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 98 Days after filing
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 80 days from Biometrics

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #77

Thanks to user ‘farida‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • Center – NSC
  • May 1 – H1-Ext, New H4 & EAD filed in PP
  • May 22 – Biometric completed
  • May 10 – H1 Approved
  • Sep 05 – “New card being processed.
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 127 Days after filing
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 106 days from Biometrics
  • H4 still pending.
  • Case series LIN19162*****
  • Didn’t file R&N litigation and 3 times expedite denied.

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #78

Thanks to user ‘Sub‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • Apr 18: H1+H4+H4 EAD filed PP
  • H1B approved in a week’s time
  • Sep 4: Called USCIS with a request to expedite
  • Sep 5: Expedite request denied
  • Sep 6: New card is being produced
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 141 Days after filing
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 114 days from Biometrics
    • H4 – Case was received status.

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #79

Thanks to user ‘Neeru‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • RD: 5/28 :H1+H4EAD filed under PP (Nebraska)
  • H1 approved in 2 days.
  • 6/10: Bio metrics Done
  • Raised Multiple USCIS requests starting in August 1st week and everything got denied.
  • August 1st:Contacted USCIS through senator and it got denied again
  • August 3rd week: Contacted Junior Senator and submitted documents through them
  • August 4th week: Contacted Ombudsman and submitted documents through them
  • Sep 5th: New card is being produced
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 100 Days after filing
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 87 days from Biometrics
    • H4 still pending!

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #80

Thanks to user ‘H4EAD-NSC‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • RD: 4/30 :H1+H4+H4EAD filed under PP (Nebraska)
  • H1 approved in 5 days.
  • 5/23: Bio metrics Done
  • 8/24: Fingerprint review completed on H4 status
  • 9/6: New card is being produced
  • H4 + EAD Approved in 129 Days after filing
  • H4 + EAD Approved in 106 days from Biometrics
  • No Change in H4 status .
  • No expedite request or litigation .

CSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #81

Thanks to user ‘ETBT‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • CSC – WAC1922xxxxx
  • 6/11 – Receipt date for H1, H4, H4 EAD (premium)
  • 6/22 – H1B approved
  • 7/1 – H4 Fingerprinting
  • 7/10 – Expedite request raised (was rejected in less than a week on insufficient proof)
  • 8/26 – Status changed to “Fingerprint review completed”
  • 9/6 – H4 Status changed to “Name was Updated” and EAD status shows “New card is being produced”
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 87 Days after filing
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 67 days from Biometrics

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #82

Thanks to user ‘Neer‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • Center – Nebraska
  • April 8 – Receipt date LIN191435xxxx
  • May 2 – Biometrics
  • Aug 27 – Case approved
  • Sep 4 – I-797C copies received in mail
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 149 Days after filing
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 125 days from Biometrics
  • Sep 5 – EAD card in mail

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #83

Thanks to user ‘raji‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • NSC Service Center
  • H1b PP/H4/H4 EAD received date Apr-2-2019
  • H1b Approved – 08- apr
  • Biometric done – 24-apr
  • H4 EAD : 08/20/2019 – We ordered your new card.
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 140 Days after filing
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 118 days from Biometrics
  • 08/21/2019 – We approved your Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
  • 08/22/2019 – We mailed your new card your Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, directly to the address you gave us.
  • 08/23/2019 – The Post Office picked up mail containing your new card.
  • 08/24/2019 – received the card

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #84

Thanks to user ‘H4EADFinallyApproved‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • Processing Center: Nebraska
  • 04/25/2019: H1B+H4+EAD applied in PP
  • 05/08/2019: H1B Approved
  • 05/14/2019: H4 Biometric Appointment
    • In between tried to expedite a few times by calling USCIS and also working with our Congressman, neither avenue succeeded and we didn’t get to submit any documents either.
  • However, the status on the EAD got updated on 08/16/2019 to say that they have received documents that are being reviewed by the officer
  • 08/21/2019: H4 status said Fingerprint review completed
  • 09/03/2019: EAD status said New Card is being Produced
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 131 Days after filing
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 112 days from Biometrics
    • 09/05/2019: EAD card was shipped
  • 09/09/2019: EAD card received in the post with I-797 approval for I-765
  • 09/09/2019: called USCIS about H4 status since no change was observed since 08/16 and were informed that H4 was approved on 09/03/2019 as well, but has not been shipped yet. Moreover, they said that the applicant is allowed to rejoin work (old EAD expired on 08/23) on the basis of the approved EAD card
    FYI we did not participate in any litigation

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #85

Thanks to user ‘HK‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • Nebraska Service Center
  • H1+H4+H4EAD Applied on —- 8/5/19
  • Appointment for Biometrics —- 8/28/19
  • H1 moved to Premium —- 9/3/19
  • H1 + H4 EAD Approved —- 9/9/19
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 35 Days after filing
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 12 days from Biometrics
    • we have not filed any litigation. Just started regular processing. Since my spouse’s office agreed for premium processing we converted that into premium and got approval in a week.

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #86

Thanks to user ‘f5uscis‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • Nebraska Service Center.
  • April 9, 2019 (Concurrently filed with H1B extension. H1B extension was approved on April 12, 2019)
  • Biometrics date – May 9, 2019
  • H4 changed to Fingerprint review completed on Aug 25,2019
  • H4 EAD changed to “New Card Being Produced” on Sep 7, 2019
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 151 Days after filing
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 121 days from Biometrics
  • H4 status is still “Fingerprint review completed”

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #87

Thanks to user ‘Swathi‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • Center: NSC
  • May 29: RD, filed H1B + H4 + EAD all together in PP
  • H1-B approved on June 6th.
  • Biometric Walk-in July 9th.
  • EAD expired on August 20th.
  • My employer terminated and lost Job.
  • Raised expedite request on August 16th by calling and denied on August 19th.
  • Approached senator on August 23rd saying job loss.
  • Got email from Senator on September 4th saying he approached USCIS.
  • Same day Online Status changed to in review.
  • Sep 10th: Card/ Document Production.
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 104 Days after filing
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 63 days from Biometrics

CSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #88

Thanks to user ‘Srikanth‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • 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.
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 91 Days after filing
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 69 days from Biometrics
  • But H4 status changed to Finger Print review complete on August 24.

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #89

Thanks to user ‘Chocy‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • 04/30/2019–> H1B+H4+H4EAD Applied in PP at Nebraska
  • 05/07/2019–> RFE Received for H1B.
  • 05/23/2019–> Biometrics Completed.
  • 07/29/2019–> Response to RFE was submitted
  • 08/05/2019–> H1B Approved
  • 08/25/2019–> Fingerprint Review Done
  • 09/10/2019–> H4 status shows as Name was Updated and H4 EAD status shows as New Card is being produced.
  • 09/11/2019->H4 and H4 EAD status updated to Approved.
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 133 Days after filing
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 110 days from Biometrics

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #90

Thanks to user ‘h4eadmay6‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • H1B + H4 + H4 ead filling date: May 3, 2019
  • Service Center – Nebraska
  • Recieved date: May 6, 2019
  • Current EAD expiring: Sep 30, 2019
  • H4 ead Card production: Sep 11
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 131 Days after filing
  • Expedite 2 times in July and August but was rejected same day. No lawsuit.

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #91

Thanks to user ‘EADApproved‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • Applied H1+H4+H4EAD on April 26th in PP to Nebraska.
  • April 29th – the case was received.
  • May 21st- completed Biometric
  • Sept 12th – Update for EAD – New card is being produced
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 139 Days after filing
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 114 days from Biometrics
  • No update on H4
  • No expedite request or litigation.

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #92

Thanks to user ‘MyH4EADApproved‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • H1B – H4 – H4EAD filed in PP:
  • RD for all – 17 April
  • H1B – Approval – 19 April
  • H4-H4EAD – Finger Print Given – 01-May
  • H4EAD – Approved – 12-Sep
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 150 Days after filing
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 134 days from Biometrics
  • No updates on H4.

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #93

Thanks to user ‘sk‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • 04/25/2019–> H1B+H4+H4EAD Applied in PP at Nebraska
  • 04/29/2019-> Received all three Receipts
  • 05/06/2019–> H1B Approved
  • 05/10/2019–> Bio metrics appointment received dated 05/22/2019
  • 05/22/2019–> Bio metrics completed
  • 08/22/2019 –> H4 status changed to “Finger print review completed”
  • 09/11/2019–> New card being produced
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 139 Days after filing
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 112 days from Biometrics
  • No Litigation or expedite request raised. There is no change in H4 status yet. Receipt staring numbers LIN19160. Looks like approval received late evening on 09/11/2019.

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #94

Thanks to user ‘EADH4Approved‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • H1+H4+H4 EAD applied in PP at Nebraska – April 23, 2019
  • H1B approved – May 01. 2019
  • Bio metric appointment on May 15, 2019
  • Walked in to near by ASC on May 7th, 2019 and gave the biometrics
  • Travelled out of country and got H4 via drop box(in July 2 week)
  • Reached US back August 2nd week and raised expedite request.
  • Status changed on H4 to Fingerprint review completed on Aug 21, 2019
  • Even after 3 weeks after the expedite request, no updates..
  • Raised another expedite request on Sept 3.
  • Expedite request got denied on Sept 4, saying that application is already approved. Not sure if the second expedite triggered the approval or it was already approved.
  • New Card Is Being Produced – Sept 4. 2019
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 134 Days after filing
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 112 days from Biometrics
    • H4 changed to approved – Sept 5, 2019
  • Card mailed – Sept 9, 2019
  • Card arrived – Sept 12, 2019
  • Start date on the card is the H1B start date..
  • I have not done any litigation.
  • Expedited 2 times, both were denied.

CSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #95

Thanks to user ‘SGR‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • May 30- H4+EAD filed with H1B PP at CSC
  • June 6- H1 approved
  • June 17 – completed Biometrics
  • July 20 – Had to travel to Canada. I had expired visa but valid H4 i-797 upto Oct 2019. Asked many forums, company attorneys, even called USCIS and was told I am eligible to travel under 30-day rule, automatic visa revalidation. USCIS said my applications should not be affected since I would not get a new i-94
  • July29 – Returned from Canada. At vancouver airport, the visa officer first denied entry. Then a senior officer in back office gave me entry but issued a new i-94 and online i-94 showed F1 status.
  • Aug 10 – CBP i-94 correction office corrected the status back to H4 but was stuck with new I-94. Didnt know what would happen to my applications. Company attorney said if RFE comes, we will address it.
  • Sep 5- EAD application changed to “new card is being produced”.
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 99 Days after filing
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 81 days from Biometrics
  • Sep 6- EAD I-765 was approved
  • Sep 10- EAD mail picked up by USPS.
  • Sept 11- Called USCIS why H4 was still “case was received”. The rep told me they mailed the H4 I-539 approval also on Sept. 6th itself.
  • Sept 12- Received the EAD card and H4 I-797.
  • I have same experience as many users that online status of H4 did not reflect the approval. I was super worried that I would be given EAD up to Oct 2019 and my extension would be denied because of my new I-94 after Canada trip.But Everything worked out finally. Got EAD and H4 approval for 3 years upto May 2022.

NSC  – H4 + EAD experience – Approved #96

Thanks to user ‘KB‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • H1+H4+EAD : Applied on 04/04/2019
  • H1 RFE : 04/10/2019
  • H1 RFE Response : 05/23/2019
  • H1 Approved : 05/28/2019
  • H4 EAD SR Raised : 08/21/2019
  • H4 RFE : 08/24/2019
  • H4 EAD Expedited : 08/23/2019
  • H4 EAD Assigned to Officer : 08/26/2019
  • H4 EAD Expedite denied : 08/29/2019
  • H4 RFE Recieved : 08/29/2019 – Replied on the same day
  • H4 EAD SR Closed cos of H4 RFE : 09/03/2019
  • H4 RFE Response Recieved : 09/04/2019
  • H4 EAD Expedite : 09/09/2019
  • H4 EAD Assigned to Officer : 09/12/2019
  • H4 EAD : New card being produced 09/12/2019
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 161 Days after filing
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 131 days from Biometrics
  • H4 no change yet
  • No Litigation!!!!!!!!!

CSC  – H4 experience – Approved #97

Thanks to user ‘CYC‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • 04/11/2019–> H1B+H4 WITHOUT PP at CSC
  • 05/17/2019–> H4 Biometrics Notice
  • 06/07/2019–> Biometrics Completed
  • 07/12/2019–> H1B Approved
  • 08/24/2019–> H4 Fingerprint Has Been Reviewed
  • 09/05/2019–> H4 Approval Notice
    • H4 Approved in 147 Days after filing
    • H4 Approved in 90 days from Biometrics
  • Since my case has no expedite or premium process, I think my case is worth to share with many people who still keep waiting for approval. It looks like the approval is normally happened in 2 week after fingerprint has been reviewed.

CSC  – H4 +EAD experience – Approved #98

Thanks to user ‘Itsalongwait…‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • Processing Center – CSC ( H1 + H4 + H4EAD PP)
  • RD – 5th June 2019
  • H1b approved-13th June 2019
  • Biometric screening-17th June 2019 ( Did a Walk-in)
  • Finger print review completed-Aug 21
  • New card is being produced- Sep 12
    • H4/ EAD Approved in 99 Days after filing
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 87 days from Biometrics
    • WAC19215512XX – No Litigation / No expedited request.
  • Also my wife had to travel out of country & she got her visa approved. After going through the Administrative processing. ( No documents requested). Hope this helps someone.

NSC  – H4 +EAD experience – Approved #99

Thanks to user ‘redBusGuy‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • Nebraska service center
  • May 6th – H1B + H4 + H4 EAD extensions in PP
  • May 13th – H1B approved
  • May 27th – H4 fingerprint review completed
  • Sep 12th – “Case was approved” for both H4 and H4 EAD
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 129 Days after filing
  • No expedite request or lawsuit, just waited patiently.

NSC  – H4 +EAD experience – Approved #100

Thanks to user ‘NSCtootooslow‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • Nebraska center
  • May 6 — H1b, H4 and H4 EAD extension in PP;
  • May 10 — H1b got approved
  • Aug 19 — reach out to congresswoman to expedite
  • Aug 24 — H4 changed to fingerprint completed
  • Sep 11 — card expired
  • Sep 12 — expedite denied
  • Sep 13 — H4 EAD changes to new card is being produced in Sep 12
    • H4 + EAD Approved in 130 Days after filing
  • H4 still shows fingerprint completed

NSC  – H4 +EAD experience – Approved #101

Thanks to user ‘Snat‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • NSC
  • May 13 – H1b, H4 and H4 EAD extension in PP
  • May 23 – H1b approved
  • June 9 – Biometrics
  • Aug 24 – Finger print Review was completed
  • Sep 11 – EAD Expired
  • Sep 12 – EAD changed to “New card is being produced”. H4 no change in status
    • H4/ EAD Approved in 122 Days after filing
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 95 days from Biometrics
  • Sep 13 – H4 changed to “Case was approved”.
  • Called USCIS twice to expedite. Once on Aug23rd –>Denied message in mail. Again on Sep 9th –>Case already assigned to officer message in mail.

TSC  – H4 +EAD experience – Approved #102

Thanks to user ‘PSP‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • 07/01/2019 Applied H1 premium+H4+H4EAD Renewal to Texas Service Center
  • 07/03/2019 Package received by USCIS
  • 07/09/2019 H1 approved
  • 07/11/2019 Received receipts for H4 and H4 EAD in mail
  • 07/16/2019 Biometrics appointment notice received in mail
  • 07/24/2019 Biometrics given
  • 07/26/2019 H4 case status changed to Finger Prints review completed
  • 09/11/2019 Received H4 approval notice in mail; but case status didn’t change for H4
  • 09/12/2019 H4 EAD case status changed to New car being produced
    • H4/ EAD Approved in 73 Days after filing
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 50 days from Biometrics
    • 09/13/2019 H4 EAD case status changed to case was approved

NSC  – H4 +EAD experience – Approved #103

Thanks to user ‘Finally_approved‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • Center: Nebraska
  • 2 May : H1b , H4 and H4 EAD applied in pp
  • 9 May : H1 approved
  • 24 May : Biomterics done
  • 13 sept : H4 EAD status changed to new card is being produced.
    • H4/ EAD Approved in 134 Days after filing
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 112 days from Biometrics

NSC  – H4 +EAD experience – Approved #104

Thanks to user ‘VCEAD‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • 03/26/2019 – H1 extension +H4 extension +H4EAD all filed together in premium @Nebraska Service centre
  • 04/05/2019 – H1 Approval received04/12/2019 – I got physical mail for Biometrics appointment
  • 04/24/2019 – Biometrics Appointment
  • June – Travelled to India and got H4 visa stamped through dropbox
  • Aug – Came back to the US and got RFE on H4 due to new I94. Submitted new stamped visa and I94 copy in response to RFE. As per my lawyer, although post getting visa stamped, we could even withdraw H4 application, however we kept it going as this could impact EAD application too.
  • 09/09/2019 – Raised Service Request as the processing timeline was beyond the timeline published by USCIS.
  • 09/12/2019 – EAD Status changed to Card being produced
    • H4/ EAD Approved in 170 Days after filing
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 141 days from Biometrics
  • 09/13/2019 – H4 approval

CSC  – H4 +EAD experience – Approved #105

Thanks to user ‘Mayapur‘  for sharing the experience in comment

  • 04/24/19 H1 +COS H4+EAD applied in PP at CSC
  • 05/07/19 Walked in early for Biometrics
  • 05/09/19 H1 approved
  • 07/10/19 Expedite request through Senator
  • 08/12/19 Expedite request denied via email to Senator, USCIS provided reasons saying that they could not identify a criteria (I guess I did not make the reason for expedition very clear or compelling in my cover letter)
  • 08/22/19 Fingerprints review completed (online status still showing “We received your case” for both H4 and EAD; this update was told by Customer Service)
  • 08/23/19 Expedite request again by calling USCIS, citing government interest and personal financial loss
  • 08/24/19 Received email with instruction to send documents
  • 08/28/19 Send documents via email, no response or update, spoke to Tier II Customer Service and was told to wait for up to 2 weeks
  • 09/14/19 Online status changed to “New Card is Being Produced” for EAD, and still showing “We received your Case ” for H4
    • H4/ EAD Approved in 143 Days after filing
    • H4 / EAD Approved in 130 days from Biometrics
  • Lesson: Not sure if expedite request helped, since I did not hear any response or update, and we’ve waited long enough. But if it did, I think using USCIS language in the cover letter and submitting clearly arranged documents were important.

Did you file for H4 Extension with the New I-539 Form? How was your experience? Share your experiences with the community by creating thread at User Experiences or post it as comment.  Share your comments, thoughts, tips.

You may also check out H4 EAD Rule Removal, Lawsuit Latest News, Updates 

   

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4,515 Comments

  1. Service Center: Nebraska

    H1B + H4 Filed in Premium : April 1st
    H1B Approved : April 8th
    Biometric Notice Received: April 12th
    Biometric Completed : April 22nd
    Next steps in process.

    Reply
      • I’ve travel plan to India in July-August.

        H4 visa expires by 12th July and I’m waiting for H4 extension approval.

        Can spouse and kids travel to India before approval?
        Does it affect drop box?
        What are the chances of H4 not approved by July?

        Reply
        • Spouse and Kids can travel, which will abandon their H4 (I-539)applications.
          You have to attend the visa stamping interview in person along with your H4’s.

          No one can predict H4 approvals timeline.

          This is just my opinion, talk to your attorney if you are planning to travel prior to H4 approvals.

          Reply
        • Should be fine. In general, it should not, if you satisfy the general H4 dropbox requirements.
          Well, we have very little data, hard to say…

          Reply
  2. Any experience changing H1 extension to premium processing after Biometrics appointment? I was trying to figure out how soon we can apply for premium processing post-Biometrics appointment and if that makes any difference for H4 and H4EAD processing.

    Reply
    • I did this seeing some people’s success, no dice for me though.

      Feb 11th Receipt Date for H1+H4+EAD.
      FEB 25th Gave fingerprints for H4.
      After few days, Upgraded to premium.
      USCIS only adjudicated H1b.
      H4 and EAD are still pending.

      Multiple Expedite requests denied.
      Vermont is still processing Jan receipts for H4. My EAD is outside normal processing times and multiple service requests for that also has not helped.

      Reply
        • Hopefully. Thanks!

          My h4 got approved last week. Not sure why they did not approve my EAD at the same time while making decision on H4. EAD is certainly outside of normal processing time according to their website. More than 2 months late. Such a waste of time and money this EAD filing would be if my H1b gets approved timely (Which I have very little hope after experiencing this craziness with H4 and EAD process)

          Reply
  3. My I94 expires on Nov 30, 2019. We are applying for H1b renewal now in premium. If we get the approval in 15 days then can the H4 spouse and child take the approval papers of primary H1 for Dropbox stamping when we travel in October ? Or they have to go for the interview ?

    Reply
  4. I am getting nervous with all these delays with H4 and H4 EAD after biometrics. So here is my question.

    My H4visa & EAD expires on 1st July 2020. We will be filling for h1b renewal in Jan 2020 (premium processing). Assuming we receive the approval within 15 days without any RFE. Can we both go back to India in Feb 2020, get our visa stamped via dropbox and come back apply for h4ead which typically takes 3 -4 months.

    Is above thing possible?

    Reply
      • I understand that but i have been bitten by USCIS (VSC) once before when we changed our status from L1 to H1. My h4 & h4ead was concurrently filed under normal processing after h1b approval, it took 6 months for them to process and i had to be on leave without pay for few weeks.

        Reply
    • Yes, it is possible to do that…but there is no guarantee that you will get H4 EAD in 3 to 4 months in future. We hope some of these processes would get streamlined in the next few months…But, at this point, hard to say…Plan for backups as we do not have any data…

      Reply
  5. Hi, my company is going to file the H1b+H4+H4EAD for my wife and I concurrently. Considering the new biometrics collection for H4, there seems a significant delay between the approval of H1b and the approval of H4/H4EAD. I’m wondering whether the effective date of H1b and H4/H4EAD will be the same or the H1b’s effective date will be earlier? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Frankly, we do not have data to see how it would work. But, the general guidance is that, you are allowed to stay in the country with H4 pending. Once you get approval, you are fine, your status during all of that time would be considered to be in proper status, as long as you filed it before expiry of I-94.

      Reply
  6. I see in other website (22am Tech) that the first H4 approval after biometric is actually a mistake. The user, Ram, actually haven’t get the approval for H4. And 22am Tech also say they call USCIS and they are told that the H4+H4 EAD will be moved to regular processing queue after the biometric is taken. Just want to confirm here since the all information now is kind of confusing. Thanks.

    Reply
    • I did check with the user again, he did not indicate that it was not approved…Anyways, even, if was approved or not, the volume of 1 user is very low and could be an outlier…the trend is, it is taking an unknown amount of time at this point…

      Reply
      • I know…and I also get information from 22am that the H4 + EAD will be moved to regular H4 processing queue after the biometric being done…which means the waiting time will be same as all the H4 extension and H4 change non-immigrant status…even if we file with H1b in PP… that’s almost the worst news I’ve heard today…

        Reply
        • Cannot speak for other websites…but, the processing is definitely delayed and we have no data on how long it will take…

          Reply
  7. Hi,

    What is the processing time for H4 extension and EAD applied concurrently? Without bringing H1B extension into question, did they used to issue both simultaneously> Or did they issue first H4 in 6-7 months and then EAD in 4 months?

    Thanks!
    S

    Reply
  8. Has anyone filed i539 form without the Alien registration no. ?i have my h4 ead but I was not aware that the no. In my ead card is the A number that I have to use in i539 form.Will I get a rfe for this ?or is it okay to file h4 extension without the A number ?

    Reply
  9. Hi ,I have my H4 ead ,but I was not aware that the uscis no. In the h4 was card is the alien registration no. And thus I kept the Alien registration no. In i539 form blank,and my h4 extension is already filed with my husband’s extension.So is this anything to worry about or is it okay to file without the Alien registration no.?

    Reply
  10. Hi Kumar,

    Sorry this is a bit off topic from EAD processing times. I have a question regarding GC processing on H4 EAD. I completed my 6 years on H1 but employer didnot process GC as there was an issue in prewailing wage determinaion.

    Now my H4 EAD is in process. After i get my H4 EAD and start GC process, is it possible to apply for new H1 as cap exempt and without leaving US? Thank you

    Reply
  11. After how many days Biometric does the status change to “case was received” or similar? Shows received status on H4EAD but H4 case status is still unavailable.

    Reply
    • Well, for some users, it changed after Biometrics like in next day or so…for some, it is in same “Case was Received” status…not very consisent…

      Reply
      • In my case, it is showing error since May13 for H4 case. where as EAD status is “case was received”. BioMetrics were done on May 30th (yesterday). How long should I wait before contacting USCIS for the H4 status since even Bio metrics is done now.

        Reply
          • I have applied at nebraska, biometric done on 24th April, and case still shows case was received. So don’t think Nebraska does update status

  12. Hi,

    I am in the same boat. Got my H1B approved in premium processing but stuck in H4 and H4 EAD processing. I am done with bio-metrics on May 10th but did not receive any update after that for H4. My H4 EAD is going to expire in Sept 2019. Could you please address a couple of my queries:

    1) Do you think this delay is because of the new Bio-metric step and once USCIS figures everything out, H4 and H4 EAD application will be streamlined.
    2) What options do I have if I don’t get my H4 EAD renewed before Sept 2019. Can I do to expedite the process or can I work on H4 EAD receipt.

    Thanks.

    Reply
    • 1. Yes, it is because of biometrics…But, we don’t know the future, if they will streamline it…
      2. You cannot work with H4 EAD receipt, you need the copy of H4 EAD card in hand to work. So, you need to stop working after that.

      Reply
  13. I got my H1 extension approved in premium and we applied for H4 extension for my wife and my son. Also, applied H4 EAD for my wife with H4. Basically H1, H4 and H4 EAD where all applied together in premium. Because of the new process, my wife and son went to bio metrics in second week of May and still not received the approval.

    We have travel plans. What will happen to H4 EAD if my wife travels out of country. She will get the H4 stamped in India and hence her h4 extension (539) application will become void.. What will happen to H4 EAD?

    Reply
    • Well, it is not fully clear…if you filed for Extension, some attorney says it will continue…the issue is your I-94 changes, when you exit and re-enter US, so that needs to fixed…we have no data or real experiences to validate this…

      Reply
    • We are in the same problem. Spouse’s H4EAD has expired and she cannot go back to work. Attorney says if we travel outside the US, the H4+H4EAD application will be abandoned by USCIS.

      Reply
  14. Hello,
    I am also waiting for my dependent’s H4 Approval, as most of the people here in this group.
    My question is about travel before I receive the H4 approval and dropbox visa stamping option.
    When I submit my documents for dropbox, I think we have to submit the H4 I-797 as well in addition to Primary’s I-797. If that is the case, then I could not travel without H4 Approval.
    Please assist.

    Reply
  15. H1 + H4 + EAD in Premium processing California Center
    Applied for H1 to H4-EAD with spouse visa transfer in premium on May 10 2019.
    I have biometrics on May 30.
    Until my H4 approves Can I work on my current H1?
    Will H4 and EAD approve same time because both applied together?

    Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • Yes, you can. Well, we do not know how they will process with the new biometrics, if they will come together or not. But, you need to have H4 EAD card in hand to work on H4.

      Reply
  16. 03/26/2019 – H1 extension +H4 extension +H4EAD all filed together in premium @Nebraska Service centre

    04/05/2019 – H1 Approval received for my spouse
    04/12/2019 – I got physical mail for Biometrics appointment
    04/24/2019 – Biometrics Appointment
    Process was pretty straightforward. I could carry my phone inside but had to switch it off, that’s all.

    As on 28th May 2019, still no change in status – it’s the same as “Case Was Received”

    Q 1. I have plans to travel to India by end of June and I’ll be back in Aug. My I94 doesn’t expire until Sep 4. I have taken appointment for visa stamping for myself and my spouse (drop box), during out visit to India. Can H4 visa stamping be done on the basis of H1 Approval notice at drop box centre ?

    Q2. If I get the stamping done, will my H4 extension application still matter ?
    I think the only problem will to refile EAD application.

    Reply
    • 1. yes, she can, if she fulfils all the requirements for dropbox. Read Sample H4 Dropbox experiences
      2. Yes, may need to file EAD…but, there are some attorney’s suggesting that EAD will continue to be adjudicated as it is not a Change of Status. Again, we do not have data or real experiences, so hard to say. Check with your attorney.

      Reply
      • Thanks Kumar, I guess we will get more clarity on EAD in a couple of months. My argument is that, they can not expect people to not to travel while we do not even have any firm timeline on approvals. I’ll keep you guys posted on how my drop box process goes.

        Reply
    • I am in the same scenario. But I am going to India to get H4 Stamped as high process times. When I had a call with my attorney he told me no need to withdraw EAD it will get automatically processed once your H4 is extended with new I94.

      I am still not sure how are they connected without reference. I want still speak to an outside attorney.

      Reply
      • Honestly, that should be the case. H4 EAD is an extension of H1 visa, the only catch is on how to get new I94 details updated with USCIS in previous EAD application. I hope your Attorney is right and we don’t have to go through the process of refilling of EAD.

        Reply
      • Hi Jagannadh Swarna,

        Did you go for H4 visa stamping as yet ? I am wondering if anyone with pending H4 approval went for drop box visa.. please do share your experience.

        Reply
  17. My employers attorney submitted h1+h4+h4ead renewal in premium on 04/02.
    -H1 got approved by 04/12.
    -H4 receipt in mail 04/22
    -USCIS scheduled my spouse’s biometrics for H4 on 05/02
    -spouse’s current H4ead expired 05/22
    -No change in status on USCIS case status page.
    -Tried submitting an expedition request by calling USCIS under the category of extreme financial loss, because my spouse can no longer go to work.

    Reply
      • I tried submitting expedite request, i don’t think it is going to help , it will get rejected. Waiting and hoping for best is the option

        Reply
        • Hi DSR,

          Any updates on your expedite request.My EAD also expired and tried to ask for help from senator it did not work. Case status has also not changed online,gave my biometrics on 5/8. My employer has kept my job on hold but don’t know how long they will hold. Please let me know if it worked for you I will also try to request expedite request.

          Reply
          • Hi SA,
            You mentioned ‘My employer has kept my job on hold’, are you put on unpaid leave?. Could you please let me know, as I am nearing my EAD expiry :(.
            thanks

  18. I am trying to apply h1+h4+h4 ead and convert to premium once i get done with biometrics, so hoping all the three will be processed in same time. Can i know do we even get biometrics before h1 approval?

    Reply
  19. 1.Applied H1B+H4 extension in PP on 04/04 as I switched employer. H1B approved on 04/12
    2.Biometrics for H4 on 04/22.
    3. Waiting for H4 approval
    (California center)

    My spouse is currently working on H4 ead valid till 06/2020. Due to some family emergency we have to travel to India and we are thinking to go for visa stamping. Can you please help with following questions..

    a. What will happen to current H4 petition in progress?
    ( I believe don’t have to worry about this as I am going to get new visa stamp)

    b. Can she continue to work on current H4 ead till 06/2020 after new visa stamping?

    Thanks

    Reply
  20. My h4 status never updated online. Always showed to contact uscis. I linked my case with uscis website.

    Today I got a email –

    We are still reviewing your case and there are no updates at this time

    We will notify you when your case status changes. We last took action on your case on April XX, 2019.

    Called uscis they said there might have been a update in your case but since they could not find your case online I got that email. Is this true?

    Reply
  21. Question: Can I submit DS-160 and schedule a consulate appointment for H4 visa, while the H4- extension petition and H4 EAD is in progress at USCIS? Principal H1B has already been approved and we already have the receipt numbers for I-539. Will submitting the DS-160 and scheduling the visa appointment make the I-539/ H4EAD petition to be considered abandoned? Currently, the wait time is about two months for visa interview. If I wait until the I-539 is approved, I don’t think we will be able to schedule it during our trip. I don’t want to abandon the current extension application also.

    Reply
    • Yes, you can. No, just scheduling will NOT make it abandoned…it will be only, if you exit US before the decision and pending with USCIS.

      Reply
      • Thank you very much! I have one more question if you don’t mind– not directly related to I-539; but this one is about Visa stamping at the consulate.

        When kids of the age 14-18 appear for an H4 visa interview (applying alone- not with their parents) at the consulate:
        – Is it mandatory that one of the parents must be present at the Visa Counter with them?
        – Is it mandatory that one adult be with them at the Visa Counter?
        – Does consulate allow parents/ a family friend to go inside with the applicant for the interview?

        Reply
        • No, it is not mandatory. There is no rule as such or guidance from US Consulate.
          Regarding allowing someone else, I am not sure, if they will allow all the way through until stamping, but they may, if you request at the entrance as guardian or something…You can call the USTravelDocs helpline to get it clarified.

          Reply
  22. Kumar,
    As these approvals start to come in please list the service centers. It looks like Vermont is processing these H1B+H4 premium joint applications faster. I heard of two other people on social media with similar H4 approval timeframes and the service center was Vermont.

    Reply
  23. Hi,

    My husband will soon file for H1B extension. I am on H4 with EAD which is valid until October 2019. I got accepted for PhD program which will start in Fall 2019. My question is, will H1B+H4+H4 EAD premium filing would be the best option for me or given the current situation should I be applying for H4 to F1 change of status along with H1B premium processing? Please advise.

    Reply
    • Both are different visa types H4 and F1, it is your choice, which one to choose…In terms of processing, both H4 and F1 both may take more or less same amount of time as we are not seeing expedited processing for H4 along with H1B.

      Reply
  24. 04/23 – USCIS(Nebraska) received H1b/H4 extension application in PP
    04/25 – H1b Approved
    05/03 – Biometrics notice for H4 received stating 05/23 is my biometric appointment
    05/23 – Provided biometrics. Just came back from the ASC, my appointment is at 10:00, I arrived at 8:30, they didn’t allow me to take a number and told me to come back at 9:30.

    No update on my case status, still shows case received, waiting now……

    Reply
    • You gave biometrics today May 23, 2019, so unless some miracle happens you need to sit in the boat and wait till your time. People from April 1 are still waiting for their H4/H4EAD approvals

      Reply
      • I mean there is no update on “USCIS case status”, because some people’s updated to “Fingerprint completed” after the Biometric collection.

        Reply
        • That is fine, most of the times the case status doesn’t get updated properly.
          You may want to try registering your case here – https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov/ and trying
          But EOD its ok , if the case status still remains “Received” even after your biometrics
          It may remain the same even after its approved, so don’t be surprised 😉

          Reply
    • Hi Kumar, Echo again…

      I’m now qualified for the H4 EAD, but my current H4 expires in Oct. 2019 and my H4 extension is pending for one month as of today…

      If I apply for EAD right now, I will get a EAD expires when my current H4 expires in Oct. 2019, correct?
      I think I have three options now:

      1. File EAD based on my current H4, expect to get EAD at the end of July, 2019, then immediately file a renew. (EAD will be valid from July to Oct, so I could work for 2 months..while waiting for the renewal, hopefully will get a new EAD before the old one expires)
      2. Wait until my H4 extension is approved, then file EAD based on the approved H4.
      3. File EAD based on the pending He extension.

      Thank you very much for your time…

      Reply
      • OMG I forgot my question, my question is do you think option 1 is possible? If not do you suggest #2 or #3? Thank you again!!!!!

        Reply
      • Well, with all the delays, it is hard to say, if you will get H4 EAD soon….Ideally, it is better to go for H4 extension and file H4 EAD along with it…though there is delay for EAD, it will at least be in sync with your H4 and you do not have too much uncertainty to work ( you cannot work on H4 EAD after it is expired and pending with USCIS, you need the card in hand to work).

        Reply
        • Thank you Kumar!

          The thing is my H4 extension is already filed in April… Can I apply for EAD based on the pending H4 Extension? I know they won’t touch my EAD until H4 Extension is approved, but I agree with you, at least my EAD will be in sync with my H4….

          Reply
    • 05/22 -Biometric for H4 at 2pm . submitted
      Waiting for approval from USCIS.

      My question is they approve H4 & H4EAD both same time or separate ?
      My H4EAD going to expire o 6/16.

      Reply
      • In the past, they were done together…but, with new process, we don’t know that yet. Many are still waiting…

        Reply
  25. Read about someone getting h4 approval after biometrics, but now the post/replies seems to be deleted, was that accurate news or a hoax?

    Reply
  26. 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 Status still shows as “Receipt Recieved”. Since we had india plans,we have requested H1 Copy so that the my spouse can carry it for stamping.
    To my surprise, i received H1 & H4 approval copies from attorney.

    Reply
    • H4 approval notice doesn’t go to attorney. H4 and H4 EAD comes directly to the applicant’s residence address. I am not sure if H4 in your case is approved yet. Can you please confirm. There are lots of people waiting to hear H4 approval cases after 3/22. Kindly confirm. Thanks

      Reply
      • Sri- Please check the 539 signed copy that you have send across to the attorney. Part 4 of the document has the option to select attorney’s physical address in section a and b. By default almost all the users select section- c which is the physical address of the recipient.

        Reply
        • @ Ram – Oh Ok! I didn’t realize candidates chose attorney as the recipient address. But that’s fantastic news then.. getting H4 approval. Is that California or Nebraska you got the approval from? Now everyone are hopeful that USCIS is processing H4s (premium cases) that were submitted after 3/22. Good News!!

          Reply
      • Sri- My Bad. I have submitted G-28 signed copy and that represents the Notice of appearance as attorney (or) representative.Please check the Part 4 of the document that would have the option to select attorney’s physical address in section a and b. By default almost all the users select section- c which is the physical address of the recipient.

        Reply
    • Ram,

      My previous comment was deleted.

      Can you confirm your approval date from your Approval notice? how long after approval your attorney got the notice?

      Reply
    • Congrats!!!! You are the first H4 approval I could find after the Biometric rule! Thanks for sharing! Could you please let us know which processing center is it? Is it Vermont, Nebraska, or California?

      Reply
  27. H1, H4 and H4 EAD all applied in Premium processing on 29th April 2019 . Done with Bio metrics on 13th May 2019.

    My H1 approved and we are now wanting to travel to India while H4 and H4 EAD are pending.

    Fortunately we found a flight to India transiting through Canada. Our trip is for 25 days . Leaving to India via Toronto Canada and also After 25 days of trip in India, entering US from India Via Toronto/Canada.
    Can we request for AVR for wife, when we are entering the US that way wife can get same i94 and she can still have her H4 and H4 EAD process continued.

    Reply
  28. Premium H1B+H4+EAD
    Date Received: 03/25/2019
    Approved: 04/03/2019

    Lives in Maryland Biometric Appointment given in New York, but I went to my local ASC.
    They accepted took 15 mins.

    Biometric given : 4/16/2019

    Still waiting

    Reply
  29. I just received the Biometric appointment for H4 today. I currently live in Bay Area, CA, but USCIS assigned me to have my fingerprint in Texas. My question is can I go to an Application Support Center that is close to me? Or do I have to reschedule it? Thanks for the help.

    Reply
    • @Cindy – You can call them to reschedule to your closest ASC. Alternatively there are cases where people just walked in to ASC and had the biometrics done. So if you know any ASC near your area – you can visit and explain them the situation that you got the biometrics appointment but was given in a different location, they will accommodate you (based on other cases). Good Luck!

      Reply
    • Yes, many users reported similar issues and they were able to walk-in to their nearest ASC and were able to give Biometrics. You should give it a try.

      Reply
      • I went to the Support Center at Santa Clara, CA today and got my Biometrics done. Share my timeline below.

        5/03 – USCIS received H1/H4 application in PP
        05/10 – H1B Approved.
        05/10 – Biometrics notice generated
        05/20 – Received receipt numbers for H4 Biometrics with appointment date on 5/29 in Dallas, TX
        05/22 – Attended Biometrics in Santa Clara, CA. Walk-In.

        Reply
  30. Basically H4s are not adjudicated soon after biometrics as said by USCIS, since it’s new process probably it’ll take little time for the USCIS staff as well to get used to it. I am hopeful that USCIS will approve the H4s for H1 premium cases as soon as the new process is streamlined. I am in the same boat as many, H1 got approved but awaiting H4 and H4 EAD. Applied on 3/25. So lets all be little patient until we start receiving approvals for H4 followed by H4 EAD

    Reply
  31. Hello Kumar,
    I am on H4 and applied extension with my husband’s H1b. My husband applied for H1b extension in premium processing. He received RFE before 5 days. Still we do not know what is RFE and have not submitted documents for RFE. But today, I received mail for bio metrics. in mail, mentioned notice date is prior to RFE date. Can you provide inputs on this scenario? Thanks

    Reply
    • It does not matter, we had couple of users in the same situation. H1B processing is independent of your Biometrics. Just submit the RFE required documents and go for your biometrics, nothing to worry.

      Reply
  32. H1B + H4 Filed in Premium at NSC : Apr 25th.
    H4 Receipt Generated : Apr 25th
    H1B Approved : May 2nd
    H4+EAD Receipt Notice received : May 2nd
    Biometric Notice Received : May 3rd.
    Biometric done : May 14th

    NO UPDATE ON H4/EAD SINCE THEN. Do you know if USCIS will honor premium processing in this case ?

    Reply
    • No, they are not doing that anymore. Many are stuck in the same boat as you…Do keep the community updated, if your status changes.

      Reply
  33. we have applied (H1+H4+H4EAD) together and H1b got approved and gave biometrics on April 30th till date there is no update on h4extension. Meanwhile, we have also applied for h1(cap) COS it was picked in the lottery
    Question1: can we upgrade my H1b application to premium when my h4 extension is in pending
    Question2: If H1b gets approved in 2 weeks(premium) what will happen to my h4extension ?
    Question3: H1b is effective from OCT, Incase H4extension gets approved after OCT will that override H1b? or do we need to withdraw h4?
    please advice
    Thanks

    Reply
    • 1. You can, once USCIS makes it available.
      2. You need to withdraw it, if not approved closer to October 1st.
      3. That’s why you need to withdraw it by writing to USCIS closer to october 1st. Discuss with your attorney of H1B on the timing of all of these…

      Reply
  34. I am moving from one employer on another and have filed for h1b transfer along with h4 transfer for my wife in premium processing. I have a couple of questions:
    1. I got an email receipt for h1 transfer application, will there be a separate receipt with a separate petition number for h4 application?
    2. Will she need biometrics? If yes, I assume that might take some time and my h1 will be approved before that, can I join a new employer before her biometrics in done? If yes, can it cause any issues?

    Reply
    • 1. Yes.
      2. Yes, there will be biometrics requirement. You can join new employer. Biometrics are for H4 and not related to H1B.

      Reply
  35. H1b PP + H4 + H4 EAD applied on 1st april
    H1b approved on 5th april for 3yrd
    H4 biometric done on 23rd april
    11th May h4 eas got selected in h1b lottery .
    H4 expires on 14th june

    My question should h4 ead go for premium of h1b visa since my h4 will expire on 14th June?

    Second question what will happen to my job if h4 ead didnt came and visa expire? Can i work like h1b?

    Third question what will happen to my h1b if i my ead expires and h1b is still in process?

    Reply
    • No, your H4 would not go through premium/faster processing based on experiences this year, it was a courtesy in the past… now they are doing it anymore. No, you cannot work, you need the physical new extended H4 EAD Card, your H4 EAD extension is not automatic. You are H4 or H1B ?

      Reply
  36. I understand that the processing time for h4 and h4 ead will be delayed by 1 to 3 months. The question I have is what will happen to the applicant if the processing time for h4 and h4 ead goes beyond the current expiry date of the h4 and h4 ead ?

    Reply
  37. Small update what i received from my lawyer.
    My lawyer confirmed that he hasn’t received any H4 approvals after biometrics. He confirmed that although USCIS said they will adjudicate H4 after biometrics, he hasn’t seen any approval till date.
    As i have plans to travel this month he recommended me to.
    1) apply H1 in premium.
    2) Go to India. get H4 stamped
    3) Apply H4 EAD once we return in regular processing.

    He said filing all together now might not help as H4 will be abandoned if my wife travels out of US which will lead for I765 denial.

    Reply
  38. 04/30/2019–> Case was received- California SC. (H1+H4+H4EAD+PP)
    05/01/2019–> Case Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was Emailed.
    05/06/2019–> Case Was Approved.

    H4: Case Received on 04/29/2019
    H4 EAD: Case Received on 04/29/2019
    ———————————————————————————————–

    05/03/2019–> Biometric Notice Generated
    05/11/2019–> H4 Biometric Letter Received with an appointment date of 05/24/2019.
    05/13/2019.–> USCIS in my city gladly accepted bio metric walk in today.

    Waiting for H4 and H4 EAD approval

    Some one please kindly share your inputs.
    We have already made plans to go to India. What will happen to wife h4 and H4 EAD.
    Wife is planning to attend h4 Stamping using my new h1 approval that was approved on 6th may 2019 . Any inputs are highly appreciated.

    Reply
    • If you leave the country, your I-94 closes on exit, so technically the H4 petition is abandoned and consequently, H4 EAD is also denied. So, you will need to re-enter after H4 stamping in H4 status to US and re-apply for EAD, after you enter US.

      Reply
  39. Below is my status

    H1 and H4 Filed on April 26th.
    H1 Approved on 5/2.
    received H1 Approval copy on 5/11 to Attorney.

    No Receipt for H4 Generated nor received any Biometric Notice as of 5/17. Anyone in same boat?

    really not sure what is going on.

    Reply
    • Ask your DSO to generate a I-20 for your wife, in that way you will get a receipt number from your DSO, since your h1b already approved. Use that receipt number to check case status. Sometimes USCIS don’t find suitable appointment for nearest ASC center, as a result it takes time to get the appointment letter. Check with your attorney as well if he/she received any letter yet so far.

      Since, you already have your approved h1b, I will assume everything will go smooth with H4 approval.

      Reply
      • Thanks Ahmed. My wife is on H4 previously. This is our extension. I believe atleast receipt number should be generated right?

        Reply
        • Oh ! I didn’t it was an extension.

          Anyway, You should have receipt number by now. But, I will suggest you not to panic. Just wait for couple of weeks. This is really a pick time along with ongoing 2020 H1B cap. Service center may be taking little bit more processing than as usual.

          Reply
  40. 04/23 – USCIS(Nebraska) received H1/H4/EAD application in PP
    04/25 – H1 Approved
    05/03 – For H4, Biometrics notice received stating 05/13 is my biometric appointment
    05/13 – Provided biometrics
    H4 & H4 EAD status still showing as “application received”

    Basic details form(Name, DOB, Race ..) that I filled, they returned to me after taking finger prints(Not sure why they ask to fill it up).

    In the ASC I visited (Santa Clara, CA), every one is having phones/iPads with them in silent mode and you can go out of the room and speak if you want to.

    Reply
    • Thanks for sharing ! Good to know, you can keep your phones in silent mode…Do keep the community updated as you hear more info.

      Reply
  41. Hi guys, can anyone help answering my question:
    Before my wife is in F1-OPT and I am F2. Her H1B is approved last month so her F1 status is invalid now. I finished my H4 biometrics on May 3rd, and still in process for the H4.
    I got the I-539 receipt notice (application to extend/change nonimmigrant status) from USCIS. My question is what my status right now? Since the H4 is still in process, and will take a long time.
    I am not out of status right? Thanks.

    Reply
  42. 04/26 – USCIS received H1/H4/EAD application in PP
    04/27 – Email Notification received for H1 application
    05/05 – Biometrics notice generated
    05/06 – Received receipt numbers for EAD & H4
    05/07 – H1B approved
    05/13 – Biometrics notice received
    04/14 – Gave biometrics in different ASC Center (The one given in my letter, did not entertain us, so went straight to other on). Took probably 10-15 min max.

    Reply
  43. Once we receive the Biometric appointment letter,

    1) can we go to ASC center anyday before the Appointment date mentioned on letter (or) only on the appointment date mentioned
    2) Can we go to different ASC center

    Reply
    • It depends on officer. I am from NYC and I have 2 biometrics center in 20 miles range from my home. I tried both and did not work. In 1 center the person was racist and she even tore the paper form which the security asked to fill in front of me at the counter. Security did not check my appointment time and gave the form to fill.

      I am planning to go for appointment date, since no one has confirmed giving early appointment has helped them to get EAD earlier. I think they would process in the order which they receive only once biometrics is there. (My Guess)

      Reply

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