PERM Processing Times (as of 11/19/2016)
Processing Queue |
Priority Dates |
|
Month |
Year |
|
Analyst Review |
August |
2016 |
Audit Review |
April |
Processing Queue |
Priority Dates |
|
Month |
Year |
|
Analyst Review |
August |
2016 |
Audit Review |
April |
My spouse is currently working on F-1 OPT or H-1 status. How can he/she change to H-4 status and obtain H-4 EAD without a gap in the ability to work?
We have received several requests about how to ensure there are no gaps in a spouse’s ability to work when converting from another work status (such as H-1) to H-4 EAD.
The short answer, as of now (November 2016) is that here is no way to guarantee that there will not be any gap in a spouse’s ability to work. The problems arise from the fact that there can be a gap between change of status to H-4 and receipt of EAD. The law requires that EAD must be approved and the EAD card must be in hand for the H4 holder to work.