United States•North America14-90 days
2,335 USD
3 years
Yes
Not Required
Not Specified
No
Not Required
Spouse or unmarried child (under 21) of an H-1B, H-2, or H-3 visa holder.
The H-4 is the US dependent visa for spouses and unmarried children under 21 of H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, and H-3 nonimmigrants. Status mirrors the principal’s authorized period — up to 3 years, renewable in 3-year increments with no cap. No annual quota applies, dual intent is permitted, and study is unrestricted.
Work authorization is not automatic. Qualifying H-4 spouses may file Form I-765 if the principal holds an approved I-140 or has extended H-1B beyond six years under AC21. The EAD is open-market with no employer restriction. Children in H-4 status cannot obtain work authorization.
This visa is ideal for spouses and children of H-1B workers on a path to a US Green Card who want to live, study, and — for eligible spouses — work in the US while the petition progresses.
MRV visa application fee (consular) | 205 USD |
Visa Integrity Fee | 250 USD |
I-539 filing fee (online) | 420 USD |
I-539 filing fee (paper) | 470 USD |
Biometrics fee (I-539) | 0 USD |
I-765 H-4 EAD (online) | 470 USD |
I-765 H-4 EAD (paper) | 520 USD |
| Consular (standard) | 2 weeks – 3 months |
| I-539 Standard | 3 months – 1 year |
| Initial grant | 3 years |
| Status type | Tied to program duration |
Be the spouse or unmarried child under 21 of a principal H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, or H-3 visa holder
Principal H holder must have valid H status or approved petition
Bona fide marital or parent-child relationship required
Maintain relationship with principal H holder throughout stay
Not subject to inadmissibility grounds under INA § 212(a)
Education
none or higher
DS-160 confirmation page with barcode
Valid passport (6 months validity beyond intended stay)
Two US visa-size photographs
MRV fee payment receipt
Marriage certificate (spouse) or birth certificate (children under 21)
Copy of principal H holder's I-129 approval notice (Form I-797)
Copy of principal H holder's valid H visa and passport bio page
Copy of principal H holder's current I-94 (printed from cbp.gov/i94)
Copy of principal H holder's employer letter and Labor Condition Application (LCA)
Bona fide relationship evidence (joint financials, tax returns, photos) if spouse
| DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application | Fill online |
| I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status | Fill online |
| I-539A Supplemental Information for Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status | Fill online |
| I-765 Application for Employment Authorization | Fill online |
| Application Steps | Principal H-1B employer files Form I-129 with USCIS (dependents listed but do not file I-129); Compl… | uscis.gov |
| Fee Breakdown | MRV visa application fee (consular): 205 USD; Visa Integrity Fee: 250 USD; I-539 filing fee (online)… | uscis.gov |
| Fee Breakdown · Visa Integrity Fee · confirmed | — | uscis.gov |
| Fees | $205 MRV fee (consular); $420 I-539 filing fee (online) or $470 (paper); $0 biometrics fee; $470 I-7… | uscis.gov |
| Forms | DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application — consular route); I-539 (Application to Extend/Change … | uscis.gov |
| Forms · DS-160 · description | Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application | travel.state.gov |
| Forms · I-539A · description | Supplemental Information for Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status | uscis.gov |
| Forms · I-539A · url | https://www.uscis.gov/i-539 | uscis.gov |
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