What Is H-4 EAD and What Jobs Can You Do on It?
H-4 EAD is a work permit for some spouses of H-1B workers. Once you have the card, you can work for almost any US employer, part-time or full-time, or for yourself. You qualify only if your H-1B spouse has an approved I-140 or an H-1B extension past six years under AC21.
Every job is from an employer that filed H1Bs in 2025. See which ones fit your resume.
Who qualifies
You must be in H-4 status as the spouse of someone in H-1B status. Your spouse must then meet one of two conditions, according to USCIS.
H-4 children cannot get this work permit. Only spouses can.
- Your spouse is the beneficiary of an approved Form I-140 immigrant petition.
- Your spouse's H-1B stay was extended past six years under AC21 sections 106(a) and (b), based on a PERM or I-140 filed at least 365 days earlier.
What work it allows
The card is an open work permit. It is not tied to one employer, job type or salary level.
You can work in any field, including retail, healthcare, teaching, finance or tech. You can hold two jobs at once, work part-time, or freelance. Starting your own business is also allowed. See our guide on side businesses and self-employment for the details.
Your employer does not sponsor you or file any petition. It completes Form I-9 with your EAD card like any other hire.
You cannot work before the card is approved. H-4 status alone does not allow any work, including remote work for a company back home that you do while in the US.
| Employer | H-1B filings | Transfers | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.Com Services LLC | 14,047 | 2,382 | $155k |
| Cognizant Technology Solutions US CorpGC frozen | 10,209 | 872 | $110k |
| Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | 9,808 | 269 | $143k |
| Google LLC | 7,899 | 844 | $186k |
| Microsoft CorporationGC frozen | 7,840 | 879 | $173k |
| Tata Consultancy Services LimitedGC frozen | 7,287 | 353 | $86k |
How long it lasts
Your EAD end date usually matches the end date on your H-4 I-94. So your card can only be as long as your spouse's H-1B approval.
If your spouse loses H-1B status, your H-4 and your EAD end too. During your spouse's grace period after a layoff, USCIS says your EAD stays valid. Our H-1B layoff guide covers that window.
The big 2026 change: no automatic extension
For renewals filed on or after October 30, 2025, H-4 EADs no longer get an automatic extension while the renewal is pending. DHS made this final in a rule published on October 14, 2026.
That means if your card expires before USCIS approves the renewal, you must stop working. File as early as the rules allow, which is up to 180 days before your card expires. Our H-4 EAD processing time guide explains the timing.
Is H-4 EAD going away?
As of October 21, 2026, no. The program still runs under 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(26).
A federal appeals court upheld the H-4 EAD rule in August 2024, and the Supreme Court declined to hear the challenge in October 2025, according to law firm Reddy Neumann Brown.
DHS has listed a rule to remove H-4 spouses from EAD eligibility on its 2026 regulatory agenda. It is a long-term item with no proposed rule and no date. Any change would need a published proposal first. We will update this page if that happens.
How to apply
You file Form I-765 under category (c)(26). You can file it alone, with your own I-539 H-4 extension, or with your spouse's H-1B petition. Our existing H-4 EAD application guide lists the documents.
Finding work and next steps
Since employers do not sponsor you, the hard part is getting past screening questions about visas. Our guide on finding a job on H-4 EAD covers how to answer them.
Some H-4 spouses later get their own H-1B for more stability. Compare the trade-offs in H-4 EAD vs H-1B and see how the switch works in H-4 to H-1B.
This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm your situation with an immigration attorney before you act.
Questions
Can I do any job on H-4 EAD?
Yes. The H-4 EAD is not tied to an employer or occupation, so you can work in any lawful job, full-time or part-time.
Can I work two jobs on H-4 EAD?
Yes. The card does not limit the number of employers, so you can hold more than one job or freelance alongside a job.
Can I keep working for my employer in India while on H-4?
Not without an EAD, if you do the work while physically in the US. Many attorneys treat that as US employment, so get advice before you do it.
Does my employer need to sponsor me on H-4 EAD?
No. You already have work authorization, so the employer only completes Form I-9 with your EAD.
Can I keep working on an H-4 EAD renewal receipt?
Generally no, if you filed on or after October 30, 2025. Your work authorization ends when your card expires unless the renewal is approved first.
Is H-4 EAD being cancelled in 2026?
Not as of October 21, 2026. A removal rule is only on DHS's long-term agenda, with no proposed rule published.
Sources
- USCIS: Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses
- 8 CFR 274a.12 (classes eligible for work authorization), eCFR
- Federal Register: Removal of Automatic Extensions for Certain EADs, final rule (Oct 14, 2026)
- Reddy Neumann Brown: Will Trump eliminate the H-4 EAD? (Sept 2026)
- Reddy Neumann Brown: H-4 EAD litigation history
- USCIS: Options for Nonimmigrant Workers Following Termination of Employment
Guides in this topic
How to Find a Job on H-4 EAD (Remote, Entry-Level, Non-IT)
How Long Does H-4 EAD Take in 2026?
How to Switch From H-4 to H-1B in 2026
H-4 EAD vs H-1B: Which Is Better for You?
