The wait is over. The DHS bill to extend employment to eligible H4 spouses. The USCIS director  León Rodríguez announced the new rule will be effective May 26, 2015. 

Eligibility Criteria: The applicant's H-1B holder should meet ANY ONE of the below eligibility criteria. 

1. H-1B holder should have an approved I-140.
2. H-1B holder currently on extended H-1B beyond six year limit.
3. H-1B holder currently on extended H-1B  beyond six year limit as per PERM labor application pending for at least 365 days or one calendar year.

How To Apply:

1. The applicant is required to file a form I-765(Application for Employment Authorization)
2. The marriage certificate copy has to be attached to I-765 as an evidence
3. Enclose $380 check payable to USCIS

Once you are approved, you will receive a I-766 or EAD card. You may begin working once you receive the EAD.

When To Apply:

USCIS will begin accepting applications from May 26, 2015.

In the time of limited H-1B quota, and going through USCIS H-1B lottery process, the long waited H4 for EAD rule came like an invaluable gift to alien workers and their families in U.S.

This is definitely a big day for immigrants in U.S. We are delighted to share this joyful moment with our readers.

The fee in 2015

If you don’t have coverage in 2015, you’ll pay the higher of these two amounts:

• 2% of your yearly household income. (Only the amount of income above the tax filing threshold, about $10,000 for an individual, is used to calculate the penalty) The maximum penalty is the national average premium for a bronze plan.
• $325 per person for the year ($162.50 per child under 18). The maximum penalty per family using this method is $975.

The fee for not having coverage in 2014

If you didn’t have coverage in 2014, you’ll pay the higher of these two amounts when you file your 2014 federal tax return:

1% of your yearly household income. (Only the amount of income above the tax filing threshold, about $10,000 for an individual, is used to calculate the penalty.) The maximum penalty is the national average premium for a bronze plan.
$95 per person for the year ($47.50 per child under 18). The maximum penalty per family using this method is $285.

The fee after 2015
The penalty increases every year. In 2016 it’s 2.5% of income or $695 per person. After that it's adjusted for inflation.

How you pay the fee
You’ll pay the fee on the federal income tax return you file for the year you don’t have coverage. Most people will file their 2014 returns in early 2015 and their 2015 returns in early 2016.

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