American Working Family H4 Visa

Things to Know About the American Working Family (H4) Visa

The US H-4 visa is a type of visa you can apply for if you are a dependent family member of people who go to the US on a temporary worker visa and want to live in the US with the temporary worker visa holder.

The US H4 visa status is granted depending on the status of the main H visa holder. In other words, if the person who goes to America as a temporary worker loses his H visa status, your H4 visa status will be cancelled in the same way. At the same time, if the main visa holder’s US temporary work visa is extended, your visa period as the H4 visa holder will also be extended.

Who is Granted the USA H4 Visa?

The US H4 visa is granted to the spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 of the H visa holder.

Family members of US H-1B (skilled worker), H-2A (agricultural worker), H-2B (non-agricultural worker) and H3 (intern) visa holders are also eligible to apply for an H4 visa.

How to Apply for H4 Visa?

To obtain a US H4 visa, fill out the DS-160 visa application form online at ceac.state.gov. In the travel purpose section of the form, select “Temporary Worker (H)” and “Spouse/Child of an H (H4)” respectively. Then, state the name, surname and I-129 form number of the main H visa holder.

The USA H4 visa application screenshot is shown below.

After completing the application form, pay the H group visa fee of $190 via https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-tr/niv. Then, make an online visa appointment for H4 visa application from the US foreign missions in Ankara or Istanbul. Complete the application process by submitting visa documents, registering biometrics and meeting with the Consulate officer on the appointment date for H4 visa application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions frequently asked to our consultants regarding the US H4 visa are answered below.

What are the Required Documents for the USA H4 Visa?

In addition to the common application documents for the US H4 visa, you must submit the following.

  • Visa photocopy of the main H visa holder
  • A photocopy of your spouse/parent’s I-129 form and Labor Certification Application (LCA)
  • Copy of your spouse/parent’s passport with photograph
  • Letter from your spouse/parent’s US employment
  • Copies of your spouse/parent’s previous work experience letters
  • If your spouse/parent already works in the U.S., recent pay slips and tax return information
  • If you are a child of an H type visa holder, the original birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate if you are the spouse of an H type visa holder

What are the Questions Asked in the USA H4 Visa Interview?

During the US H4 visa interview, an attempt is made to determine whether your relationship with the H type visa holder is genuine. Common H4 visa interview questions include questions about your intention to go to the US. Interviewers will ask what you will be doing in the US and check if you intend to engage in any illegal activities.

Commonly asked questions in the US H4 visa interview are given below.

  • Do you have any family members living in the United States?
  • Who will support you financially during your stay in the United States?
  • How long have you been married to your current spouse?
  • Were you engaged before marrying your spouse?
  • Who paid for your wedding and how much did it cost?
  • In what month and year was your spouse approved for the H visa?
  • What is the name of the company your spouse works for? Where is its headquarters?
  • Can you provide a bank statement of your spouse’s bank account?

What are the rights gained in the USA with an H4 visa?

Under H-4 status, you can live and study in the U.S. Spouses of H-1B holders can also work if they have a valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Can I Get a Work Permit with a USA H4 Visa?

To be eligible for a US H4 visa and work permit, you must meet two criteria.

To obtain a US H-4 work permit, you must be a spouse of an H-1B visa holder, and your US H1B visa holder spouse must have successfully filed an I-140 petition to establish permanent residence in the US through a green card. If you qualify, you may file an I-765 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker.