US to revise immigration norms for H4 visas

The United States is planning to implement certain amendments for H4 visas as part of immigration laws laid over this year. With the intention to lure and uphold skilled workers, the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) has proposed work authorization extension to spouses of highly skilled immigrants. 

Currently, the H4 dependent spouses are not permitted to work in the US. However, as per the proposed reforms, they will be allowed to gain access over employment authorization provided the H-1B worker has started the process for a legal US permanent residency through their employment firm.

It has to be mentioned here that the DHS will begin authorizing Employment Authorization Cards (EAD) after executing these reforms. It is expected that this reform will advantage around 100,000 H4 visa holders in this year. 

Under the proposed reforms, immigrants will be able to stay in the country during their waiting period and their spouses on H4 visas will be permitted to work while they wait for Green Cards.  

The U.S. Representative for California's district, Judy May Chu, complemented that the proposed reforms will be a good measure to protect immigrant families.    

Deputy Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, stated that these amendments will assist the US to compete with other nations in attracting the best and the brightest highly skilled workers from across the world.    

Moreover, many leading software companies are anticipating that the reform will help them to easily recruit qualified H1-B workers who are not intended to immigrate because of the H4 immigration laws with regards to dependents.