H4 EAD Suspended? Endless Delays Spark Panic

Getting an H4-EAD has never been a simple process, but recent months have been especially stressful for applicants. While H4 approvals are being issued, H4-EAD approvals are arriving much later, sometimes weeks or even months after H4 status is granted.

Approvals Slowed but Not Stopped

Community discussions and case timelines show that approvals are still happening, though far less promptly than before. Several mid-2025 cases from the California service center saw H1B and H4 approvals together, but H4-EADs stayed pending for extended periods, leaving applicants in limbo.

Legal and Processing Changes Add to Wait

The lack of premium processing for H4-EAD and the end of earlier legal settlements mean that these applications are now handled separately from H1B and H4 approvals. This change can extend the wait to six months or more in some cases.

Applicants Must Prepare for Uncertainty

USCIS currently lists a 4–6 month processing time for 2025, but service center backlogs and rising application volumes can make this longer. While approvals are coming through, the delays mean many should brace for possible employment gaps and unpredictable timelines.