A Bill To Give H-1B Spouses The Right To Work In The U.S. Introduced

US Congresswomen introduced a bill in the House of Representatives aimed at granting an automatic right to work for H-4 visa holders (dependent spouses and children accompanying H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, and H-3 visa holders to US). Under the current rule, only certain categories of H-4 visa holders can apply for an employment authorization document.

Congresswomen Carolyn Bourdeaux and Maria Elvira Salazar introduced the H-4 Work Authorization Act that seeks to change the current law and grant the spouses of H-1B visa holding immigrants an automatic right to work after receiving their H-4 visa. It will remove the requirement for visa holders to apply for EAD (Employment Authorisation Document).

The lawmakers said that numerous employers facing acute labor shortages and the new bill can fill labor gaps, deliver jobs, and help immigrant families thrive together.

Currently, H-4 visa holders must apply for work authorization and wait for approval before they can work. Given the backlogs at USCIS, applications for EAD can take anywhere from 6 to 8 months, with some applications taking over 1 year to be approved.

The lawmakers said that the Bill could also help to reduce the backlog of EAD applications at USCIS by providing immediate work authorization to H-4 visa holders and reducing the number of work authorizations USCIS must process.