H4 EAD Automatic Extension After H4 Approval with new i-94

USA H4EAD
1

Hello Anil,

I have a question about H4-EAD Automatic Extension.
Here is my case:
H1 and H4 and H4-EAD Expired on 1st Jan 2025
H1/H4 extension filed in Oct’24 - Regular processing
H4-EAD Extension standalone filed in Nov’24 based on H4 receipt notice and I-140.
H1/H4 Approved on 21st March 2024 (waiting for Approval notice and updated i-94)
H4-EAD still pending and might take some more time as filed standalone.

Based on the 540 Days Auto Extension , my understanding is my wife can start working as we timely filed the EAD before it expired and will also receive the updated i-94 with H4 Approval.

But since i-94 was expired on Jan1st 2025 and
My wife wasn’t working last year because of medical conditions, will Auto extension still be valid with the new i-94? This is a tricky scenario as my understanding was Auto extension applies to continue your existing job provided you have i-94 but in our case i-94 was expired and now we are getting a new i-94.

Please advise.

2

This is a gray area situation as there is no clear guidance that I know of.

But, as per the rules, you are right.
If you have valid H4 i94 and EAD was filed timely and is currently pending, you should be able to work.

I have not heard of any issues from anyone.