Family Dependents

Your legally married spouse and your unmarried children under 21 years old are eligible for H-4 visa status. The entire family should apply for the H-1B and H-4 visas with the H-1B's I-797 approval notice at the American Embassy/Consulate, regardless of whether the family has definite plans to enter the U.S.

Your H-4 family members can enter the U.S. with you or enter separately after you are already in the U.S. If they will enter separately after you are in the U.S., you should provide them with:

• A copy of your current I-797
• A copy of the I-129 and supporting documents that were included with your I-797
• A recent copy of your U.S. hospital pay statement/paycheck after you have been paid.

Your family should always know your U.S. home address, where you will work, and what type of work you do.

H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B and H-1B1 non-immigrants are not permitted to work in the U.S. under any circumstances.