Photo Courtesty of the Department of CommerceDuring the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship (PAGE), President Obama proposed new rules that would make the United States more attractive to foreign entrepreneurs: including one that would allow H-4 visa holders to work while in the United States.
The Presidential Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship is headed by Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and was formed to "harness energy, ideas, and experience to help develop the next generation of entrepreneurs both at home and abroad." Members of the group include Steve Case, Tory Burch, Quincy Jones, and more.
H-4 Visa
In order to be eligible for the H-4 visa, an applicant must be the spouse or dependent of an H-1B visa holder.
As it stands today, H-4 visa holders are not allowed to work while they are in the United States, nor are they eligible for a Social Security number.
However, H-4 visa holders are able to do the following:
- Study at a U.S. school
- Obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for tax purposes
- Open a U.S. bank account
- Get a U.S. driver’s license
- Change their H-4 status to another visa status (if eligible) by filing form I-539
The Department of Homeland Security is expected to publish a list of all proposed changes and new rules to attract new business to the United States.