We went through this process (SEP-2022), had to read many articles so combining all the information required to apply EAD in this article.
Step 1:
> This is preliminary Step to get started with EAD, You need to have i140 Approval Copy. Just First Page is enough which will be in general I-797 Approval Notice Copy. Looks same like H1B Petition first page.
We have read in multiple places that if perm is approved and H1B holder eligible for 7th year extension during that time also you can apply for H4 EAD even before i140 is approved but not sure what needs to be sent to USCIS in place of i140.
Step 2:
> Get 2 Latest Photos of Spouse 2 by 2 Inch, Better to have photos different from what you have already in Passport/VISA.
Step 3:
> H4 EAD application process is complete offline you will download a PDF, fill it and print it along with supporting documents you will send this to a USCIS Address. There is no online process for H4 EAD as of Dec 2022. No need to register or create accounts in any websites.
Step 4:
> Download I 765 PDF form USCIS Website and fill it. https://www.uscis.gov/i-765
Few tips to fill this form:
> Point No 14 : Select Yes for If you are applying for first time so that you will get an SSN card directly to your home, Other wise you have to visit SSN office to get an SSN Card which is mandatory to work.
> Point No 27 : Enter the Value as below for H4 EAD. C 26
> Point No 29 : Provide Petition Number or Receipt Number of latest H1B approved. If in case an extension for H1B is in progress while you are applying for EAD you have to provide the Receipt Number of the extension that is in progress for extension.
> Rest of the fields should be straightforward information
> Once all the fields are filled, Take a print out and get it signed by EAD Applicant.
Step 5:
Personal Check / DD / Money Order : "U.S. Department of Homeland Security" for 410$
We chose to send a personal check from Primary H1B Holders Bank Account. Just to make sure we have a track to know that USCIS deducted money from our account and they have all the required docs to process our request.
Step 6:
Take prints of all other supporting documents.
Step 7: Where to send all my documents to ?
There are 2 locations you need to choose one out of these two based on your latest H1B extension petition number
Visit https://www.uscis.gov/i-765-addresses to find the latest address information on where you need to send the Package. There is a slight variation in address if you use USPS vs private couriers Fedex/UPS/DHL Choose the one based on your Petition and courier that you want to send the documents with.
Under Employment-based nonimmigrants You will see something similar to this screen shot for category C 26.
Step 8:
> Visit your nearest USPS/UPS/Fedex/DHL, Choose a Package based on the speed of the delivery and tracking options, in general it should cost around 10$ in USPS
Make sure you have below documents in the package.
- Form I 765 : Completed I 765 Form, sign by H4 EAD applicant
- I 140 : Copy of I 140 Approval, I-797 Document first page
- Passport of H1B Holder: Copy of first and last pages, Stamped VISA Pages
- Passport of H4 Spouse: Copy of first and last pages, Stamped VISA Pages
- Latest H1B i797A : Latest H1B Approval Copy, If an extension is in progress, receipt copy of it along with Latest expired approved petition first page along with i94 from travel History i 94 Website.
- H4 Latest Approval Copy : Latest H4 Petition approval copy, If an extension is in progress receipt copy of it along with Latest expired approved petition
- 2 Photos: 2 Photos of EAD applicant. Write the latest H4 i94 Number on backside.
- i 94 : i94 Copy of H4 Spouse from travel History i94 website
- Marriage Certificate : Copy
- Personal Check / DD / Money Order : "U.S. Department of Homeland Security" for 410$
Good Luck, Hope this helps to make the process bit easy for you !!!
Below are different steps that your application will go through as part of EAD Card application processing.
Approval Time: Time to approve an application depends on application center which processes your application. For some unrelated reasons to EAD we had to convert our H1B extension that was in progress to premium which in turn approved H1B, H4 and EAD within a week after converting H1B to premium.
Step 1:
There has been a recent processing action taken on your case.
Receipt Number: ***********
Application Type: I765, APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION
Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production
On <Month Day, Year,> we ordered your new card for Receipt Number *************, and will mail it to the address you gave us.
Receipt Number: ***********
Application Type: I765, APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION
Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production
On <Month Day, Year,> we ordered your new card for Receipt Number *************, and will mail it to the address you gave us.
Step 2: After 4 days of Step 1
Receipt Number: **************
Application Type: I765, APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION
Your Case Status: Post Decision Activity
On <Month Day, Year,> we approved your Form I765, APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION, Receipt Number **************. We sent you an approval notice. Please follow the instructions in the notice
Step 3: After one day of Step 2
There has been a recent processing action taken on your case.
Receipt Number: ***********
Application Type: I765, APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION
Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production
On <Month Day, Year,> we mailed your new card for your Form I765, APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION, Receipt Number ***********, to the address you gave us
Receipt Number: ***********
Application Type: I765, APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION
Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production
On <Month Day, Year,> we mailed your new card for your Form I765, APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION, Receipt Number ***********, to the address you gave us
Step 4: After one Day of Step 3
There has been a recent processing action taken on your case.
Receipt Number: ***************
Application Type: I765, APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION
Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production
On <Month Day, Year,>, the Post Office picked up mail containing your new card for Receipt Number ************. We mailed your card to the address you gave us
Receipt Number: ***************
Application Type: I765, APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION
Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production
On <Month Day, Year,>, the Post Office picked up mail containing your new card for Receipt Number ************. We mailed your card to the address you gave us
Step 5: After 1 day of Step 4, Received the EAD Card by USPS Priority mail and also got an update on USCIS Portal
There has been a recent processing action taken on your case.
Receipt Number: **********
Application Type: I765, APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION
Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production
On <Month Day, Year,>, the Post Office delivered your new card for Receipt Number ***********, to the address that you gave us
Receipt Number: **********
Application Type: I765, APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION
Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production
On <Month Day, Year,>, the Post Office delivered your new card for Receipt Number ***********, to the address that you gave us
Step 6: Received SSN Card by USPS
As we have selected to get SSN card as part of EAD application, we have received SSN Card also on the same day of EAD Card but it may not be the same case with you, it might take some time to get SSN Card for you after receiving EAD Card
Thank you for reading till the end, Hope this article worth the time you spent in reading, Contact us for any suggestions or feedback.