WORK AUTHORIZATION FOR SPOUSES OF H-1B NONIMMIGRANTS

In the face of Congressional inaction on immigration reform, the Department of Homeland Security has proposed a rule change which may grant certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants work authorization. Currently, H4 nonimmigrant spouses are not allowed to work or must find their own work-authorized nonimmigrant status. The current proposed rules, however, differ from past proposals in that work authorization for H4 spouses is extended only where the principal H1B holder has obtained the following: 1. An approved Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (form I-140); 2. A PERM labor certification that has been on file for 365 days, or ... Read more