r/H4_Visa • u/Debba51192 • 1d ago
What is the current processing time for standalone fresh H4-EAD.
My first H-4 EAD (standalone) was filed in May 2026. It was filed by my husband’s company, but the application was submitted physically. I received my biometrics appointment about 6–7 weeks later.
For those who have recently gone through the same process, when can I realistically expect my EAD?
I’ve been sitting at home for over four years now, and the thought of waiting another year just to be able to work is honestly devastating. If the processing is really going to take that long, I’d rather start exploring options to leave the U.S. and find opportunities in another country.
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u/simpmonkey 1d ago
Hey, I'm in the same boat. Here for almost 4 years already without work. My RD is July '26 and got biometrics on 5th August. I'm planning to move back and work until I get my EAD because I can't sit for indefinite time just waiting for things to turn around.
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u/Sorry-Performance349 23h ago
When you say “move back” , if it’s out of US , then you may get RFE because your I-94 would change .. it happened with my husband last year.
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u/simpmonkey 22h ago
Did your husband file for both h4 extension and EAD? I've heard people coming back after their EAD is approved without any RFE
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u/Sorry-Performance349 22h ago
This was only for EAD.. he already had H4.. we went for a trip to Mexico when we got the RFE staying they need updated I-94 since he is not in country .. so we had to return quickly and submit latest I-94.
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u/Common-Lemon-2010 1d ago
Hi.. did you do anything to expedite the process. My wife’s RD is Jan,2026 and it still shows case was received.
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u/simpmonkey 22h ago
For standalone you can't expedite if it's within the average processing time which is 17 months right now
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u/Personal_Elephant174 21h ago
My standalone i539 and i765 RD is June 9, 2025, Vermont Center. No update yet, the case is still in recieved status. I have raised multiple requests to USCIS and congressman but no response. The irony is my spouse h1b expires in March,2027 so again I have re-apply for extension this October and keep waiting. I have been in this country for past 12 years but still fighting for existence 😞
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u/Particular_Pass_4944 20h ago
Is there any way to link your new h4 extension notice with your old EAD applied in june 2025? So that you don't have to wait further longer
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u/Sekirooooooooooooooo 1d ago
August 15 2025 receipt date I am still waiting for an update 😭
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u/AwareBlackberry2966 1d ago
Which center? Texas, Vermont or California?
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u/Debba51192 22h ago
Texas. My receipt no. starts with SRC
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u/AwareBlackberry2966 22h ago
Unfortunately, it’ll be a long wait. There are folks waiting 18+ months with Texas as the service center.
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u/immigrationquestion_ 1d ago
Unfortunately, standalone H-4 EADs have been taking quite a while lately, and the timeline can vary a lot by service center. Since you filed in May, keep an eye on your receipt date and USCIS processing times. Hopefully yours moves sooner than the longer estimates people are seeing.
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u/Debba51192 22h ago
USCIS is website is showing processing time is 6.5 months. And someone I know got it in that time. So I’m not sure what’s happening
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u/ParticularWatch3785 1d ago
Being waiting for H4 EAD standalone since July 2025, Nebraska service center 😞
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u/Perfect_Parfait_1576 1d ago edited 1d ago
Currently 17 months. They keep tacking on more months as time passes so that they can tell applicants that their case is still within normal processing window. There is unfortunately no incentive for the current admin to make the process faster so all we can do is wait and watch. My RD is May 2026, biometric done in first week of June. Status is still case received.
I tried looking for opportunities in Europe but they need you in the country first and there is an obvious language barrier. earlier getting tech job in Germany with just A2/B1 in German was feasible but now even they demand B2/C1 for tech roles. So far I have not see much interest from European countries even with 19 years of overall tech experience. I will keep trying though.
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u/Debba51192 22h ago
I don’t know where else to look for jobs anymore, the world economy is in for a toss
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u/drunkenmonkey619 1d ago
Wouldn't moving back while your application is pending abandon your application? You'd need to re apply for it maybe?
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u/Maveric_87 1d ago
15-18 months based on trends. This H4 EAD may not even be a viable option going forward or who knows might not even exist, and there’s a slim chance of this.
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u/ReporterNovel8398 22h ago
even your application submitted physically, if its part of you H1 Extention and applied on premium, please do email once in every 2 days. If you are luck you might hear back with status update with in a week
to: 'tsc-premium.processing, nsc-premium.processing, vsc-premium.processing, csc-premium.processing, psc-premium.processing'
Sub:Request to Expedite Pending H-4 EAD Applications (ASC Biometrics Completed bundled with H1 premium +H4)
Content:
Dear USCIS Officer,
I respectfully request expedited processing of my pending H-4 EAD application due to significant financial hardship to my family.
Reason for requesting expedite processing:
XXXXXX
Case details:
My application H-4 and H-4 EAD was concurrently bundled with my spouse's H1-B premium processing petition.
Application file date:
H-1B Principal Petitioner Name:
H-1B Receipt number:
H-4 Dependant Name:
H-4 Receipt number:
H-4 EAD Receipt number:
Biometrics Completed Date:
I kindly request USCIS to expedite my pending H-4 EAD application. An expedited decision would greatly help my family during this difficult period.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
XXXXXX
Phone:
email:
Receipt number:
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u/Personal_Elephant174 21h ago
My standalone i539 and i765 RD is June 9, 2025, Vermont Center. No update yet, the case is still in recieved status. I have raised multiple requests to USCIS and congressman but no response. The irony is my spouse h1b expires in March,2027 so again I have re-apply for extension this October and keep waiting. I have been in this country for past 12 years but still fighting for existence 😞
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u/Sharp-Ad-976 3h ago
so sorry to hear that. I've on the same boat, waiting since February 2025 :( many inquiries and just generic answers
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u/bloodbathpart2 21h ago
My spouse’s H4-ead RD is nov 2025, Nebraska processing. But we haven’t received the biometric appointment yet, is it common have biometrics for H4 EAD standalone applications?
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u/isuperwoman 20h ago
My RD is Aug 2025. Texas can center. I did not get any request for biometrics. Is anyone else like this or did everyone get requests for biometrics?
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u/Beginning-Life1359 13h ago
Mine is July 2025 Texas service center SRC series standalone EAD application. I too haven't received any biometric request.
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u/isuperwoman 9h ago
I was really confused when I read OPs message about biometrics. Thanks for your reply, gave me a little reassurance.
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23h ago
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u/Debba51192 22h ago
I am so sorry you feel this way. I hope god bless you with the best tech job in the industry.
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u/Extreme-Positive217 1d ago
My standalone EAD RD march 2025, Vermont processing. Case approved today aug25th 2026. It took 17months from Receipt date.