First time H4 EAD

H4 Visa
1

January 15th, 2026

My wife’s employer has filed her H-1B amendment + extension in premium processing (paper filing). Along with that, my H-4 change of status (I-539) and first-time H-4 EAD (I-765) were also filed with separate fees.

I am currently working on my own H-1B and need to plan for a possible work gap once I move to H-4, until EAD is approved.

Based on recent timelines (2025–2026):

  1. How long is H-4 approval taking when filed with a premium H-1B?

  2. How long after that is H-4 EAD approval and card delivery?

  3. Realistically, how many days/weeks/months of work gap should I plan for?

Looking for recent real-world experiences.

Thanks!