Study and Work
H-4 dependents are permitted to study full or part time. The majority of H-4 dependents are not permitted to work in the United States. New regulations, as noted below, allow a very limited number of H-4 spouses to apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for work authorization.
Effective May 26, 2015, H-4 spouses of certain H-1B temporary workers may apply for work authorization. This eligibility extends only to H-4 spouses of H-1B temporary workers who have already started the process of seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident status. Specifically, eligible individuals include H-4 dependent spouses of principal H-1B workers who:
- Have an approved Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker; or
- Have been granted H-1B status in the United States under the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000 as amended by the 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act. The Act permits H-1B workers seeking lawful permanent residence to work and remain in the United States beyond the six-year limit.
If the H-1B temporary worker does not meet the above criteria, the H-4 spouse may not apply for work authorization. Children in H-4 status are not eligible to apply for work authorization under any circumstances.
Health Insurance
Iowa State University requires all H-4 dependents to be covered by health insurance for the duration of their stay in the United States. Please review the Health Insurance page for more information on this subject. There is generally a limited time (less than 30 days) to enroll dependents in the health insurance plan when the dependents arrive later than the H-1B employee.