---
title: "US Considers Ending Work Permits for H-4 Visa Holders, Indian Families Face Major Impact"
english_title: "US May End H-4 Visa Work Permits for H-1B Dependents, Indian Spouses at Risk"
publisher: "Truevision English News"
canonical_url: "https://english.truevisionnews.com/news/380868/us-h4-visa-work-permits-h1b-dependents-indian-families"
published_at: "2026-09-02T15:28:00+05:30"
category: "Big Story"
language: "en"
image: "https://cf.zdn.im/img/truevisionnews.com/0/image-uploads/6a97f402b62de_us-h4-visa-work-permits-h1b-dependents-indian-families.jpg"
keywords: ["US immigration", "Employment Authorization Document", "Indian immigrants in USA", "Indian H-1B workers", "US visa rules", "Trump administration"]
---

# US Considers Ending Work Permits for H-4 Visa Holders, Indian Families Face Major Impact

> **Lead Summary:** Washington: The US Department of Homeland Security is reconsidering a policy that allows certain dependents of H-1B visa holders to legally work in the United States. If the proposal moves forward, H-4 visa holders could lose access to the Employment Authorization Document , potentially affecting thousands of families, particularly those from India.

## Article Content

Washington: The US Department of Homeland Security is reconsidering a policy that allows certain dependents of H-1B visa holders to legally work in the United States. If the proposal moves forward, H-4 visa holders could lose access to the Employment Authorization Document , potentially affecting thousands of families, particularly those from India.

The proposal concerns the employment authorization currently available to eligible H-4 visa holders. H-4 visas are generally issued to the spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 of H-1B visa holders. Eligible H-4 spouses can currently apply for an EAD, which allows them to work legally in the US.

Details of the proposed policy change have been published on the website of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. However, the proposal will not necessarily take effect immediately. It must go through the required regulatory and administrative process before any final rule can be implemented.

The H-4 employment authorization policy was introduced in 2015 during the administration of former President Barack Obama. H-4 visa holders can live in the United States and access services such as obtaining a driver's license and opening a bank account. However, those who wish to work legally generally need an approved employment authorization document.

The possible move comes amid several immigration and employment-related policy changes affecting foreign workers in the US. The Trump administration has recently announced measures that have raised concerns among H-1B visa holders and other foreign professionals, including a major increase in the H-1B visa fee to $103,265.

There has also been discussion around changes to the existing 60-day grace period that allows certain H-1B workers who lose their jobs time to find new employment or make alternative immigration arrangements.

The potential impact on Indian families could be particularly significant. During the 2014–2017 period, 93% of H-4 visa holders who applied for employment authorization were Indians, according to the figures cited in the report. About 94% of these applicants were women. Any decision to end H-4 employment authorization could therefore have a substantial effect on Indian spouses who currently work in the US and contribute to household income and professional life.

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