--- title: Select H-4 Dependent Spouses Now Eligible for Work Authorization description: Calling all H-1B and H-4 holders! The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services recently announced that select H-4 dependents are now eligible to apply for work authorization. Beginning May 26, some H-4 holders can start filing their applications and be on their way to obtaining employment authorization. --- [![Envoy Global company logo](https://info.envoyglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/eg_logo%20_2000.png?width=2000&height=218&name=eg_logo%20_2000.png "Envoy Global company logo")](https://www.envoyglobal.com/) # 2015 Old Blog # Select H-4 Dependent Spouses Now Eligible for Work Authorization Posted by [PJohnson](https://info.envoyglobal.com/blog-old-test/author/pjohnson) on May 26, 2015 3:00:52 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Calling all H-1B and H-4 holders! The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services recently announced that select H-4 dependents are now eligible to apply for work authorization. Beginning May 26, some H-4 holders can start filing their applications and be on their way to obtaining employment authorization. **Who Qualifies? **H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants can file for this special work authorization if the H-1B holder has an approved I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker or has pending PERM/labor certification application that has been pending for at least 365 days and has extended the H-1B status past the six-year limit. If you want more information, check out our [Extended Employment Eligibility for Some H-4 Dependent Spouses](http://www.visanow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/H-4_infographic_Prospect_v4-1.pdf) infographic. **H-4 work authorization application tips **Once you determine your eligibility, you’re ready to begin the application process. To help you start, here are three work authorization application tips: 1. **Start early: **May 26 is just around the corner, and if you want to beat the rush of other H-4 holders applying for work authorization, it’s best to [get started now](https://app.visanow.com/get-started/work-authorization/select). 2. **Move quickly: **We understand that getting the opportunity to bring in a second income is life-changing. Gather your supporting documents quickly, so you can apply on May 26, and get your employment authorization document (EAD) in the mail as soon as possible. 3. **Save for filing fees: **USCIS’s fee for work authorization is $380. They won’t process your application until that’s paid, so be prepared. **Next Steps **If you’re ready to prepare your H-4 work authorization application, [get started here](https://app.visanow.com/get-started/work-authorization/select). 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