Comments are to drive conversation, add your thoughts, experiences, ask questions! Thanks to user ‘Anil’  for sharing the experience in comments. It may take several weeks. He got all the approvals paper from USCIS. H1B+H4+H4 EAD applied extension on Premium Processing. Some of the receipt numbers before mine were from April 18th while my receipt date was for April 17th. EAD still not get approved. Still haven’t received my biometric reschedule from OAKLAND center. Does anyone know standalone EAD Extension also go to the same process like other H4 Extension and Biometric etc.. How long will take standalone EAD Extension. Can Congressman letter help in biometric appointment ? Since my wife’s EAD card has validity until 2023, she can continue to work right? Every time I requested expedite, it got denied. Any idea? No confirmation email received. USCIS said my applications should not be affected since I would not get a new i-94. Thanks to user ‘Nilisha’  for sharing the experience in comments. Check USCIS COVID-19 Office Opening Updates. After long wait, my H4 and EAD have been approved. 08/12 – EAD changed to “New Card is being produced”. Thanks to user ‘Anonymous’ for sharing the experience in our WhatsApp Group. Enter your Name, valid Email, URL(optional - Facebook, LinkedIn profile URLs). Nothing different there. These are the only status changes seen on the application. No change in H4 status. As per USPS tracking card delivers tomorrow. I heard from ppl, if H1 is approved after Finger print, H4 will also get approved, but it didnt happen in my case. Sharanya, Thanks for sharing. Sept 12th – Update for EAD – New card is being produced, 04/25/2019–> H1B+H4+H4EAD Applied in PP at Nebraska, 05/10/2019–> Bio metrics appointment received dated 05/22/2019, 08/22/2019 –> H4 status changed to “Finger print review completed”. Usually they come around the same time or about few days before or after. Is there anything else I can do ? From July I started try Senator and Congressman inquiries, expedite requests on Aug 19th, out of normal processing inquiry (from last week). Below are the latest H4 Biometrics and EAD related applications experiences that were filed in 2020 with decisions in 2021. 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. H1+H4+H4 EAD Filed concurrently in premium processing. Your email will NOT be published. Not approved as of today. How many days did it take to arrive after status -“card is being produced” or approved ? This week my application for H4/EAD got approved. Our H4 has been approved for expedited processing. We tried to check the appointment in uscis- infopass, but not showing up any. Expedite 2 times in July and August but was rejected same day. Status changed on H4 to Fingerprint review completed on Aug 21, 2019. My H1B was approved in May2020. At present, I have only I-539 receipt. H4 EAD processing with USCIS can take anywhere from 2 months to 12 months. I am still waiting for H4 extension and EAD approval. Thanks to user ‘Anonymous’ for sharing the experience in comments. In my case, since I am in healthcare I mentioned the essential nature of my work for COVID as the reason for expedite. Did anyone received biometric appointment from Texas center recently? Since we had India plans, we have requested H1 Copy so that the my spouse can carry it for stamping. Thanks to user H123123 for sharing the experience in comments. In my case: VERMONT H1b+h4+ead all filed together on feb 11th. Any suggestions? But a few weeks later, Got a notice saying the we will receive a notice letter from 90 days from that date of the call to the service center. Did not reach out to senator or anyone. Physical copy of H4 Decision Notice mailed to your address. Biometric date : Oct 8 Status update on fingerprints : Oct 9 Approval Decision : Jan 12th 2021. USCIS can use your biometrics/ fingerprints to check criminal history. Can someone please shed some light on this.? 08/01 – Status changed to “Card is being produced”. If uscis used the previous biometric on your current application how much time to get the approval. we have not filed any litigation. H4 ead is expiring on September 30th so I tried to expedite but got rejected same day. RR2020, Many are waiting for this, hopefully we get this soon. Biometric processing for H4 visa holders and H4 EADs was introduced in March 2019 and is mandatory for visa approval. 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, 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. * Sept 3rd – Received both approval Notices via post. May 10th 2019 — h1b,h4,h4ead applied in PP, H1+H4+H4EAD concurrent filing (Premium processing), Submitted all three applications: 3rd June 2019, Biometrics for H4 was done on June 27th 2019, Submitted H1 RFE response: July 16th 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, H1B + H4 Filed in Premium : March 28th 2019, H4 & H4 EAD Receipt Generated : April 1st 2019, Biometric Notice Generated : April 5th 2019, Biometric Notice Received : April 10-12th 2019, H4 & H4 EADApproval Notice Received : July 30th ,2019, Still online status says “Card generated” after getting approval for H4 EAD and for h4 it says name updated. April 9, 2019 (Concurrently filed with H1B extension. 08/23/2019 – The Post Office picked up mail containing your new card. Biometrics was done first week of May '19. You may travel out of the country, but USCIS may or may not process the petition. H4 Biometrics appointment done on June 10th, EAD approved on Aug 22nd (H4 status remains unchanged), Approval notice for H4 and EAD received by mail on Aug 26th, April 19- H1B ,H4 ,H4 EAD submitted in PP @ NSC, 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”, August 27- H4 Changed to “Name Was Updated”, Out of Processing Time Request: 8/23/2019, Fingerprint Review Was Completed : 8/24/2019, Background : L1 to H1B COS, L2 to H4 + EAD, 05/14 – USCIS received H1/H4+EAD application in PP, 06/04 – Biometrics collected (USCIS site never updated). It is still not know how much and this is the first time this is being implemented. I received biometrics appointment letter scheduled in next few weeks? I will focus on a pending i485 adjustment of status EAD ( also filed using an i765 form). Your H1B Newsletter subscription was successful. It can be tricky with the lines. My first expedite request is rejected for H4+EAD for my spouse and H4 for kid even without asking for documents. (H1 under Premium) H1 went into RFE – Aug 18, 2020. Tier 2 was reluctant to schedule appointment over the phone as well. I have raised multiple expedite requests in this whole process and It got denied immediately. I know that recent applications have now been getting processed faster. 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. H4 EAD expedite request- received request for evidence- submitted documents on June 25 (I am a MD doctor, so described essential nature of job, and got a letter from work). H4 EAD, i485 pending EAD RFE takes 60-90 days. Did not ask any proof. Do NOT post any phone numbers, email-ids. Thanks to user RC for sharing the experience in comments. (Card was produced), August 29 – H4 approval notice was received, Mar 22 – H1, H4 and EAD extensions submitted in Premium @ Nebraska. We have medical emergency going on since our son is getting hospitalized for a major procedure. Think about it, you are just requesting, nothing else. Mailing address for filing fee checks USCIS began reopening certain domestic offices for naturalization ceremonies, interviews and initial biometrics intakes on June 4, 2020. Receipt date – April 14th H1 underlying – approved in 3 days Biometrics – July 27th Expedite 1 – August 4th through phone, rejected in 5 days even without request for documents Expedite 2- August 14th through local Congressman New card produced – August 28th Both changed to approved – August 31st. See below Copy H1, H4, EAD Filed – Aug 10, 2020. It sounded weird to us too. H1b approved in PP. SSN 4-6 weeks. USCIS Received date: 04/26/2019 for H1 Extension, H4 Extension and H4 EAD Extension in premium processing USCIS Notice date: 04/29/2019 (receipt notices i797c for H1 Ext, H4 Ext and H4 EAD Ext) Alex, I have not seen other users get this kind of response. It depends upon the type of application you have filed with USCIS. I also think part of this is luck, some applications are picked up sooner than others. Just hang on and don’t lose hope. Called senator on Aug 26 morning for help, evening status changed. H4/H4 EAD receipt date- 3/11/2020 Initial biometric date-4/7/2020. How long does it take for H4 and H4 ead to be processed after biometrics? Now this year i reapplied for h1 extension and got for 3 years while H4 is still pending (biometrics completed). EAD expires on 8/17- my employer is supportive and they let me use PTO. H4 change of status is taking 2 to 12 months. They can only process about 10,400 per day for biomettrics. Receipt date : March 26 2020 H1B approval : May 12 ( regular processing) Processing center : Texas Service Center. From May till July , did 3 or 4 times expedite request by calling USCIS and through senator. My wife’s EAD card has validity for 3 years as per the first extension. H1-B got approved in 5 days after H1-B processing. Biometric processing for H4 visa holders and H4 EADs was introduced in March 2019 and is mandatory for visa approval. Let me know if online status has changed. And when did you all receive the ASC appointment letter after the I-797C receipt notice? But with the introduction of Biometric rule, it may take more time. we filed h1,h4 and h4 ead together in premium processing. Thanks in advance.. SeaBass, If you have not given in past, you are required to give it. 5/31- Biometrics done. CSC H4 experience Approved #13. Mahitha, Some were creative and selected the technical error option and then got redirected. U.S. Hi JB11, what is your service center? Please suggest me. It … New Card Is Being Produced – Sept 4. Not anymore. 05/02 – USCIS received H1/H4 application in PP. Also I saw some people who filed much later than I did got approved much earlier than me. Waiting for card in mail now. Also, more importantly, check the comments, where users continue to add and share their latest experiences.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'redbus2us_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_6',117,'0','0'])); We have over 100 experiences with approximate timelines from users since the Biometrics Process started. I called USCIS 3 times and am getting same reply with the last status..Really so panic about my situation ..How to address this issue ?How can I reschedule ? After getting I-140 approved, H4 visa holder’s spouse can apply for H4 ead. Did early Walk-in. Appreciate your response. Didnt know what would happen to my applications. Thanks to user kym for sharing the experience in comments. There are some lucky ones, who get the processing done faster, but those are expceptions. Jesna, Thanks for sharing. Below is the process. We have not received any biometric appointment letter, since 3+ months it has been filed. H4 online status is still the same “case was received”, H4 EAD online status says “card was delivered ”. Congrats! It’s all random and there is no process. 07/06 – Received mail that H4 is approved. But I felt like raising awareness to uscis on our case is helping . Previous extension filed on Dec 20 and biometrics in Jan this year. In that case, you just need to submit it. After no other response yet. 08/21/2019 – We approved your Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. I had applied for H4+EAD a month back. 9/5 – EAD status changed to “new card is being produced”. My previous EAD was expired on August 31, 2020. Pavan, Did you get your H4 EAD approved now? Check Comments section for latest experiences in comments. Is that normal or do we need to follow up again? Last 3 months were very hard because even we are educated and qualified, still felt very helpless. Now, H4 approval is tied to H1B approval. Do keep us posted here for community benefit. (Completed by walk-in on May 8th.). You can continue to call them. Did not receive EAD so far. Thanks to user ‘Vimal’ for sharing the experience in comments. We got a call from tier 2 today. April 16- H1 and H4 extensions submitted in PP @ NSC. Select "Logout" below if you are ready to end your current session. they said no updates except an inquiry on 8/26, 8/30–H4 EAD status changed to New card produced. We are still awaiting for H4 approval. Also, EAD has updated that card is mailed. Latest one is the bottom. We have now raised another tier 2 request due to ongoing medical emergency. Both Case statuses were “Case received” * Aug 27th – Expedite requests were assigned to an officer and completed by EOD. we filed h1,h4 and h4 ead together in premium processing. Tier 2 officer says that biometric is not needed for expedited processing. Thanks to user ‘RB’  for sharing the experience in comments. My expedite request got approved only once biometrics were done. My case is similar to yours as it’s a stand alone EAD application. So, it all varies by the service center and year. Expedite request got denied on Sept 4, saying that application is already approved. Stamping for H1+H4 is, 12 Aug 2019: Raised another expedite request which is also denied, 14 Aug 2019: Status changed to card was ordered and on the same, 19 Aug 2019: Status updated to Card was mailed, Applied date : April 17th- Nebraska center. Status of H4 and H4-EAD still shows as “Case Received” on USCIS website. August 24th- status of H4 changed to “Fingerprinting completed”. Check comments for latest updates. EB-1C multinational executives and managers: Premium processing fee cannot exceed $2,500 and processing time cannot exceed 45 days. This is some positive news as I believe my date is also nearing to approval. November 27, 2020. h4 biometric appointment processing time **** Since then No change in H4/EAD status. Could you please let me know. USA. You should receive a notice of action in 45 days”. Should we submit another expedite request mentioning that H1-B is approved in premium processing? My husband H1 extension approved in June .. I think the delays happened this time due to the need for biometrics (this was my first biometric) and also due to Covid related shutdown of ASC centers. Not sure what should i do. 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. Thank you. You can get details of the same by checking your FBI identification record. My application for H1B was approved in January. Btw, I also called USCIS at one point and asked to speak to a tier 2 representative. Suraj, As long as you have the h1B valid, she can use the h4 EAD. This biometric rule was recently introduce. H4-EAD status showing as “Card Was Mailed To Me”, 04/26/2019–> H1B+H4+H4EAD Applied in PP at Nebraska, 05/22/2019–> Response to RFE was submitted. H4 EAD approval in premium 15 days after biometric Another similar case was reported when they got H4 EAD approval within H1B premium time as they upgraded H1B to premium along with RFE response. I have same experience as many users that online status of H4 did not reflect the approval. If your H4 Visa application was filed at Nebraska Service Center (NSC, LIN) on or before Service Request Date in above processing times table, you can raise a Service Request with USCIS as a follow up. It is only available for the H1B holders. Mine is california and sep 2020 is my receipt date. 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. Her H1B working visa … H4 EAD timeline: How much time it takes for EAD to get it approved? Options ? Or will the H4 EAD take another couple of months after H4 approval? Aug 25: H4 case status changed to ‘Fingerprint review was completed’. My receipt no. Click on the below button to raise the same. Center: California I received an I-539 receipt for this in Apr-2020. Company attorney said if RFE comes, we will address it. Thanks to user ‘h4eadwaiting‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘Gupta‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘Sam Jain‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘Nitya‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘Yogini‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘Sri‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘Amul‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘Saloni‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘MV‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘FinallyApprovedH4EADFromNSC‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘Finally…‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘RVN‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘Anu‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘NoOne‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘Another H4 EAD User‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘Sindhu‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘farida‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘Sub‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘Neeru‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘H4EAD-NSC‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘ETBT‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘Neer‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘raji‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘H4EADFinallyApproved‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘HK‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘f5uscis‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘Swathi‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘Srikanth‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘Chocy‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘h4eadmay6‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘EADApproved‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘MyH4EADApproved‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘sk‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘EADH4Approved‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘SGR‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘KB‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘CYC‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘Itsalongwait…‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘redBusGuy‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘NSCtootooslow‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘Snat‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘PSP‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘Finally_approved‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘VCEAD‘  for sharing the experience in comment, Thanks to user ‘Mayapur‘  for sharing the experience in comment. It certainly is an option. Thanks to user ‘HJ’ for sharing the experience in comments. Case Expedited by Phone : July 29th. Question : will there be seperate biometric process for EAD ? How will i know if my case requires biometrics for H4 approval? 09/11/2019->H4 and H4 EAD status updated to Approved. First expedite request for H4 was denied in Sep 2020. I have never had an issue with H4/H4EAD approvals before this year. Does anyone else experienced the same issue and let me know the possible ways so that my call gets connected with agent. H4 EAD and H4 Approved on August 2nd. For this, a valid legal status document(I-797) is required. 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. Unfortunately our biometric appointment has not been set up yet. With Visa stamp of H4 in passport, you can enter US and do not need the H4 approval notice from USCIS. Will check with the attorney. Now that we have looked at latest news, let’s look at the general process and then experiences below. It’s as good as doing it in India right. Thanks to user ‘H4EAD_May14_Aug16‘  for sharing the experience in comments. So it took less than 10 days to receive the card after it was approved. Hi , did you get your card in mail ? H4 EAD : 08/20/2019 – We ordered your new card. Thanks to user ‘MG‘  for sharing the experience in comments. They approved my H4 last week but no movement on EAD. . The letter will arrive as an "Application Support Center (ASC) Appointment Notice" ( Form I-797C, Notice of Action ) and will include information about the date, time and location for your ASC appointment. They won’t have reason then to state that they are waiting for H4 visa biometrics. 09/09/2019 – Raised Service Request as the processing timeline was beyond the timeline published by USCIS. Processing Center – CSC ( H1 + H4 + H4EAD PP), Biometric screening-17th June 2019 ( Did a Walk-in). Yes, if you have an urgent need and if you meet USCIS Critiera, then you can expedite processing of H4 petition. 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.