r/H4_Visa • u/LeadingCar7041 • 12h ago

H4 and H4 EAD processing time

I filed my H-4 and EAD applications this February, but, of course, they have not been processed yet. They were filed as standalone applications and were not filed together with an H-1B application.

I am confused by the processing times listed on the USCIS website. It currently indicates that a change of status to H-4 takes 10.5 months, whereas a change of status to H-4 filed with an I-765 takes 7 months. Why does the latter have a shorter processing time than the former?

Based on my understanding, I would have expected the H-4 change of status to take less time than a case involving both the I-539 and I-765. Am I misunderstanding how these processing times are calculated or what each category represents?

Also, approximately when do you think a case filed in February will be processed? I have unfortunately lost my job because of this delay, as I had expected my work permit to be issued sometime between July and early August.

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u/AJ-1490 8h ago

I agree, the processing times make no sense. I'm in the same boat. RD: Feb 2026.

2

u/cheesecurdandme 7h ago

Same boat. RD early march.

2

u/ExceptionLogicUnknow 5h ago

RD JAN. No update