H-4 status is available to spouses and/or children of H-1B beneficiaries.
Dependents who entered the U.S. in H-4 status, or who changed to H-4 status from another non-immigrant status may remain in the U.S. until the end date on their last I-94 document.
H-4 status for children expires when they reach 21 years of age.
If H-4 dependents are physically in the U.S. and their status is expiring, they must file a Form I-539 concurrently with the main beneficiary to extend status.
H-4 status is contingent upon the continued validity of the primary H-1B employee.
If an H-4 dependent is abroad, they must apply for an H-4 visa stamp with the documents of the main beneficiary to be able to enter the U.S.
H-4 dependents traveling separately must take the original I-797 H-4 approval notice (if applicable), proof of relationship (e.g. marriage/birth certificate), and copies of the H-1B documents listed in the H-1B travel section for the primary H-1B employee.
H-4 dependents are permitted to study in the U.S., and some H-4 dependents may be eligible for employment authorization.
