Archive · 1 Sep 2026
US Considers Ending H-4 Spouse Work Permits, Indians Hit Hardest
Some people come to the United States on H-1B work visas and bring their spouses on H-4 visas.
An H-4 visa lets spouses live in the United States, but it does not automatically let them work.
Certain H-4 spouses can work after receiving a separate Employment Authorization Document, or EAD.
The Department of Homeland Security is considering ending that work-permit eligibility.
The idea would reverse a rule created in 2015.
It has not become a rule, so current H-4 EAD holders can still work under existing rules.
Before anything changes, the government must publish a proposed rule, accept public comments, and issue a final rule.
No date has been set for that process.
Indian families may be especially affected because most earlier H-4 EAD approvals went to Indian nationals.
The Department of Homeland Security is considering removing certain H-4 spouses from eligibility for employment authorization.
The proposal would reverse a 2015 rule allowing eligible H-4 spouses of H-1B workers to seek Employment Authorization Documents.
The measure is listed as a long-term regulatory action, with no proposed-rule publication date or draft text available.
No rules have changed yet: valid H-4 EAD holders can continue working, and eligible spouses can apply under the current framework.
Indian families could be disproportionately affected because 93% of H-4 EAD approvals from 2014 to 2017 went to Indian nationals, and 94% went to women.
- Who
- The Department of Homeland Security and certain H-4 spouses of H-1B visa holders.
- What
- DHS is considering removing certain H-4 spouses from the class eligible to request employment authorization.
- When
- The measure is currently listed as a long-term action, with the proposed-rule date to be determined.
- Where
- The potential change concerns employment authorization in the United States.
- Why
- The proposal would reverse the 2015 policy that allowed certain H-4 spouses of H-1B workers pursuing employment-based permanent residence to apply for work permits.
- Proposal title
- Removing H-4 Dependent Spouses From the Classes of Noncitizens Eligible for Employment Authorization.
- Regulatory status
- The measure is listed as a DHS long-term regulatory action and is not yet a proposed or final rule.
- Current impact
- Existing valid H-4 EAD holders can continue working under the rules currently in force.
- Who qualifies now
- Certain H-4 spouses may apply if the H-1B spouse has an approved Form I-140 or qualifying status under sections 106(a) and 106(b) of the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act.
- Program origin
- The H-4 EAD program was established through a 2015 final rule.
- Indian share
- Indian nationals accounted for 93% of H-4 EAD approvals from 2014 to 2017; 94% of approved recipients were women.
- Required process
- DHS would need to publish a proposed rule, accept and consider public comments, issue a final rule, and establish an effective date.
- Related H-1B proposals
- The administration has also proposed a $103,265 fee for new H-1B hires and changes to the 60-day period for finding a new employer after job loss.
Sources
Trump Administration Seeks To End Work Permits For H-4 Visa Holders; Thousands Of Indian Families Could Be Impacted
US targets H4 spouse visa work permit now
US May End Work Permits For H-1B Spouses. Here's Why Indians Could Be Hit Hardest
Indian H-1B families face fresh uncertainty over H-4 work permits
US to end work permit for spouses of H-1B visa holders? No need to panic yet — All about the buzz over H-4 EAD program
US Considers Ending H-4 Spouses’ Work Permits; Indians Likely To Bear The Brunt
