February 11, 2021
Immediate family members, such as a spouse and unmarried children under 21, are eligible for an H-4 dependent visa to accompany or join the H-1B principal holder in the United States. Other relatives, like parents or siblings, do not qualify for H-4 status and must pursue separate visas.
Under certain conditions, some H-4 dependent spouses can apply for work authorization by filing Form I-765, but this is limited to those whose H-1B spouse has an approved I-140 immigrant petition or has extended H-1B status beyond six years under AC21. Many H-4 dependents cannot work without this employment authorization.