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Here are the few steps which I followed for filing H4 EAD Application- new and renewal application. This blog is solely based on my experience and nothing to do with acceptance and denial of someone else application. Always read USCIS H4 employment links before preparing your package.

Basis for Work Authorization:

• Approved Form I-140
• H-1B Principal Received AC21 106(a) and (b) Extension.

H4 I-765 application form:

• Full Name: Legal First, Middle, last Name
• Address in the United States: Address you stay
• Country of Citizenship/Nationality- Your citizenship based on passport. If you are a dual citizen, write the country noted on your I-20, which should match the passport you use
• Date of Birth – month/day/year
• Social Security Number: If you have a SSN then write it but If you do not have a Social Security Number, write “N/A”
• Alien Registration Number (A-Number) or I-94 Number: 11-digit I94 record number. Refer https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/consent.html
• Have you ever before applied for employment authorization from USCIS? If you have never applied for an EAD before, mark “No”. If you have applied for an EAD in the past, mark “Yes” finish the questions at the top of the next column. Which USCIS Office? – Write the USCIS office. Example LIN – Nebraska Service Center, EAC – Vermont Service Center , SRC – Texas Service Center , WAC – California Service Center. Date(s) -Valid from and Card Expires date from EAD card. Results -Granted or Denied
• Date of Last Entry into the U.S. (mm/dd/yyyy)- Put Last City in US and also put port of entry (if both are different)
• Current Immigration Status- H4 Visa
• Current Immigration Status: C26
• Current Immigration Status: H1B I797 number (start with EAC or LIN ..)

Here are the documents which I have sent for H4 EAD application:

• 2 colored photo of 2*2 inch (Write name and I94 number on back with Pencil and black light ink)
• Cashier’s Check- Check payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security for $380
• I-765 form
• Form G-1145
• I-140 approval of spouse
• I-94 of EAD Applicant
• I-94 of Spouse
• I-797A of EAD Applicant
• I-797A of spouse
• Birth Certificate of Applicant
• Marriage Certificate
• Stamped Copy of H1 and H4 Visa (optional)
• Driver License of Applicant (optional)
• Employment verification letter of spouse (optional)

Please refer to the latest documents required based on https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/employment-authorization-certain-h-4-dependent-spouses

H4 EAD Renewal application:

• You cannot file for a renewal EAD more than 120 days before your original EAD expires
• Please send your I797 Notice of action (Notice Type: Approval of Action),  EAD card and the receipt on which the previous EAD was attached. I have heard that the paper w/ attached EAD is also required, so please don’t trash it (I have trashed one)
• Send all the applications documents as listed above. The process doesn’t change for new application vs renewal except the above 2 point

Key things to note:

• Two identical two-by-two-inch passport-style color photographs. Print Name and I94 number of back of photo
• I765- Please sign the form w/ black ink. Don’t sign outside of the space provided
• Place of last entry: I feel this is bit confusing in the case when port of entry is outside of the US (eg Abu Dhabi). In this case your last entry into the US and port of entry will be different. I’d just put Last Entry as US City, Port of Entry: Port of Entry as per I-94
• Where to send your package: Refer to C 26 section on this link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765-addresses and send it to the address based on H1 most recent Form I-797 Notice of Approval (begins with EAC or LIN, SRC or WAC)
• Use latest version of Form I-765
• You cannot file for a renewal EAD more than 120 days before your original EAD expires

Few important links:

• Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses: https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/employment-authorization-certain-h-4-dependent-spouses
• I-765, Application for Employment Authorization- https://www.uscis.gov/i-765
• I765 Instructions: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-765instr.pdf
• USCIS Service and Office Locator- https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=SC
• USCIS Status tracker- https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/logon.do
• H4 EAD trackit. Really useful forum to submit your case and discuss issues- http://www.trackitt.com/usa-immigration-trackers/h4-ead

Good Luck and this process is helping tons of H4 dependent to step outside of their house and start working. Please navigate to contact us page and use any social media to get in touch with me to discuss my experience w/ H4 EAD application process or any other questions.

Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application – H1B Visa Stamping. This is solely my experience and process which I followed for H1B Visa stamping ( 2 years back in 2014). This blog does not guarantee your visa stamping approval or denial. Please contact ustraveldocs.com for latest information or any changes.

Step1:
Complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form which is available at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

Frequently Asked Questions about the DS-160
a) Are you 10 printed? If I don’t know then I select No
b) Purpose of trip to US: Temporary Worker. Enter your Visa expiry date in Date of Departure from US
c) Address where you will stay: Your US address
d) Application Number/Petition Number: This is EAC number on your I-797 form
e) Contact Person Name in US: I prefer to enter my Employer Immigration Department Contact Information
f) Have you been in the US: I enter all my arrival date in US till date

Payment at AXIS bank /Citibank option-
Note that without getting the receipt number from bank one won’t be able to see the calendar. Now create your account at http://portal.ustraveldocs.com/?language=English&country=India and enter all the relevant information, after few pages you will get the confirmation number (U.S. visa fee collection slip). Before going to the bank in India, you must print and carry the applicable U.S. visa fee collection slip. You need to give this collection slip along with visa application fee to get the receipt number. After receiving your payment, the bank will give you a receipt. You can schedule your interview within 4-5 hours of paying your visa application fee

Step 2:
Visa applicants, are required to pay a non-refundable visa application fee. Visa Fee amount is available at http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-visafeeinfo.asp

Bank and Payment Options: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-paymentinfo.asp. Note that now Over the Counter is AXIS Bank and Citibank
Bank locations: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-loc-bank.asp

Step 3:
Again login to http://portal.ustraveldocs.com/?language=English&country=India to schedule an appointment. The receipt number will already be pre-populated on your account so you will be able to see the calendar on next page.

Now we need to schedule two appointments, one for the OFC and one for the visa interview at the Embassy
First, schedule your visa interview appointment at the Embassy and then schedule your Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC) appointment. OFC appointment must be at least 1 day before your visa interview appointment at the Embassy

Step 4:
Once you take the date you can click on
Appointment Confirmation link and get the confirmation print out.
As per US travel doc: For your Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC) appointment, you will need to bring:
· A passport valid for travel to the United States with validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person desiring a visa must submit an application.
· Your DS-160 confirmation page.
· Your appointment confirmation page.

Following your visit to the OFC to have your photo and fingerprints taken, you will then visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the date and time of your visa interview. You will need to bring:
· A printed copy of your appointment letter,
· Your DS-160 confirmation page, one photograph taken within the last six months,
· Your current and all old passports, and the
· Original visa fee payment receipt.
Applications without all of these items will not be accepted.

Information available at http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/index.html