Travel While H4 EAD Pending (H4 Extention, COS Abandon, New Stamp)

USA
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Originally published at: Travel While H4 EAD Pending (H4 Ext, COS Abandon, New Stamp) - USA

Can I travel While H4 EAD is pending? You can travel out of the country while your standalone H4 EAD application is pending with USCIS. Note that H4 EAD can be denied if your H4 COS or an extension is also pending with the EAD application. Can I Appear For H4 Extension Biometrics In India?…

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Hi Anil,
Wondering if you can comment on this.

Filed H4 + H4 EAD concurrently with H1B in Nebraska service center in July
H1b Approved after converting to premium later. But no news on H4 , H4 EAD . Not received any biometric notification.

Since getting H4 stamped from Canada border is possible for Canadians, can you comment on potential options available for h4 EAD

#1 . Is it possible to update existing H4 EAD application with separate H4 approval ( assuming getting H4 approval from Canada border) .

#2 What will happen to existing H4 application if we go for a border approval

#3 If updating an existing H4 EAD application is not possible, is it ok to file a new h4 EAD application ? Will there be any issue in having two H4 EAD applications

#4 Do nothing and wait on the existing filing

Thanks,

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Hi Anil,

My H1-b and wife’s H4, EAD extensions were all filed together. I have received my H1b approval but spouse H4 extension and EAD renewal is still pending. We are planning to go to India for a month, since our H1 and H4 will be stamped in India, what effect will it have on the H4 extension and EAD renewal application? Is there something we should do after returning back from India or should we avoid going out of US while EAD is pending.

Thanks in advance!
Nikhil

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HI @nikhil

The H4 extension will be denied if you travel. It won’t matter much anyway as you will go for H4 visa stamping.

The H4 EAD might receive an RFE or may be denied based on what happens to H4 extension.

You may have to file h4 EAD again when you are back in US.

I have covered more scenarios about travel while H4 EAD is pending here.

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Thanks Anil, we have decided to postpone our vacation plans because of the risk of reapplying and then having to wait again.

1 Like
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Hi Anil,

Need suggestion from you in my situation.
Currently my i94 is expired and H1 extension is in process. My spouse H4 and H4 EAD extensions are in process. we have family emergency now.
a. Is my wife can travel to India now, if yes, Is H4 and H4 EAD extensions will process?
b. If she travels now, will it impact on H1B Extension?
c. Is she can eligible for dropbox or has to attend Visa Interview if we she go with my extension approvals (currently visa expiry in her passport is Jun 15th 2019).

Thanks,
Bala

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Hi @h1ext2019

The H4 extension will be abandoned but your wife can use your H1B to get H4 visa stamp and return to US.
H1B extension will not be affected if you are not traveling.

Dropbox eligibility is completely different. If your wife is eligible, she can use it.

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Thanks a lot for your quick response sir, H4EAD extension will also be abandoned right?

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Hi @h1ext2019

H4 EAD extension may not be abandoned automatically but it is recommended that you re-file it once H4 is back in US.

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Hi my husband h1 extension got approved till oct 2022 , while my h4 and h4 ead extension are still pending . We are planning to go india for a family occasion

  1. Can He travel while my h4 extension is still pending
  2. Can i travel while my h4 and h4 ead are pending
  3. What is the impact on pending h4 ead if i go for h4 visa stamping while my h4 extension is still pending with USCIS
  4. When can i expect my ead if i am not travelling, receive date is 10/24/2019 at vermont centre . Got biometric appointment on 11/13/2019
    Thanks in advance
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You can check current H4 EAD processing time here.

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Thanks Anil for your reply

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Hi @GD123

Please read the linked article above. Your questions have already been answered.

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Hi,

I need to travel to India now, hence below questions:

  1. I know I will get the Biometrics and Visa stamped in India for H4 but what happens to H4 EAD - will it be in-process/RFE/denial?

  2. Change of address - If we file the application from State X and recently move to a state Y, can we give relatives (Permanent) address in State Y as we will be traveling?

Please help, thanks!