The United States 🇺🇸 Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) faces a growing challenge in 2025: its heavy workload is causing long delays for H-4 EAD (Employment Authorization Document) applicants. These delays now often stretch beyond six months, sometimes reaching up to a year, leaving many families and employers in difficult situations.
The main reason for these delays is the sharp rise in the number of EAD applications, combined with limited staff and changes in how USCIS processes these cases. This situation affects thousands of H-4 spouses—mostly women—who rely on the H-4 EAD to work legally in the United States 🇺🇸 while their spouses hold H-1B visas.
Why Are H-4 EAD Delays Getting Worse in 2025?
USCIS’s workload has grown much faster than its ability to process cases. In 2023 and 2024, the agency saw a 77% jump in EAD applications across all categories, including H-4 EADs. By early 2024, there were about 1.4 million EAD applications waiting to be processed. This huge backlog puts pressure on every part of the system.
On top of that, USCIS did not hire enough new staff or expand its operations to keep up with the demand. When a service center—one of the offices that handles these applications—gets too many cases and not enough workers, processing times go up. Some centers now take up to 12 months to finish H-4 EAD cases, while others with fewer cases and more staff can finish in four to six months.
Key Factors Making Delays Worse
Several changes and problems have made the delays even longer:
- Unbundling of Applications:
Until January 20, 2025, USCIS often processed H-4 EAD applications together with related H-4 and H-1B petitions. This meant that when a family applied for an H-1B extension, they could also file for the H-4 spouse’s EAD at the same time, and all the cases would move together. But after a court settlement (Edakunni v. Mayorkas) expired, USCIS stopped this practice. Now, H-4 EADs are in their own separate line, which has made wait times much longer. - Staffing and Resource Shifts:
USCIS sometimes moves staff and resources to handle other urgent cases, like H-1B lottery season or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) surges. When this happens, H-4 EAD cases get pushed aside, and the backlog grows. -
Requests for Evidence (RFEs):
If USCIS thinks an application is missing information or documents, it sends an RFE. This stops the process until the applicant sends back what’s needed. Each RFE can add weeks or months to the wait. -
Policy Changes:
The new administration in 2025 did not renew the agreement that allowed bundled processing. This move signals a stricter approach to immigration and has made it harder for USCIS to process H-4 EADs quickly.
How Long Are People Waiting?
As of mid-2025, most H-4 EAD applicants wait between four and six months for a decision, but many cases take up to a year. The exact wait depends on which service center is handling the case and how busy it is. There is no premium processing option for H-4 EADs, so applicants cannot pay extra to speed things up.
Because of the unbundling and the backlog, many H-4 spouses now face long gaps without work authorization. This can cause serious problems for families who rely on two incomes, and for employers who want to keep skilled workers.
What Has USCIS Done to Help?
USCIS knows about the delays and has tried a few things to help:
- Automatic EAD Renewal Extensions:
In January 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made a permanent rule that gives eligible EAD holders an automatic extension of up to 540 days (about 18 months) while their renewal is pending. This is a big jump from the old 180-day extension. It means that if you file your H-4 EAD renewal on time, you can keep working for up to 540 days while you wait for USCIS to process your case. -
Cycle Time Goals:
USCIS has set goals to reduce the average time it takes to process EAD applications. The agency is trying to make its work more efficient, but the huge number of cases and limited staff make this very hard.
However, these changes do not fix the main problem: the number of applications keeps growing, but the system’s capacity does not. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the USCIS workload remains the main reason for H-4 EAD delays, and the new automatic extension rule only partly solves the problem.
What Are the Real-Life Effects?
The delays in H-4 EAD processing have serious effects on families, workers, and employers:
- For H-4 Spouses:
Many H-4 spouses are highly educated and want to work in the United States 🇺🇸. Long delays mean they can lose their jobs or have to stop working for months. This can hurt their careers and cause financial stress for their families. -
For Employers:
Companies that hire H-4 EAD workers face uncertainty. If a worker’s EAD expires and the automatic extension does not apply (for example, if their H-4 I-94 record expires first), the worker must stop working. This disrupts projects and can lead to the loss of skilled employees. -
For Families:
Many families rely on two incomes to pay for housing, childcare, and other needs. When an H-4 spouse cannot work, it puts extra pressure on the family and can even force some to leave the United States 🇺🇸.
Why Doesn’t the Automatic Extension Solve Everything?
The 540-day automatic extension is a big help, but it has limits. The extension only lasts as long as the H-4 spouse’s I-94 record is valid. The I-94 is the document that shows how long someone can stay in the United States 🇺🇸. If the I-94 expires before the EAD renewal is approved, the person must stop working, even if the 540 days are not over.
Also, you can only file for EAD renewal up to six months before your current EAD expires. If USCIS takes longer than six months to process your case, and your I-94 expires in the meantime, you could still face a gap in work authorization.
What Do Experts and Lawyers Say?
Immigration lawyers say that the USCIS workload and the new unbundling rule are the main reasons for the delays. They advise H-4 EAD holders to:
- File renewals as early as possible (up to six months before EAD expiration)
- Keep track of I-94 expiration dates
- Respond quickly to any RFEs
- Consider legal help if you have a complex case or receive an RFE
Employers are also encouraged to help their H-4 EAD employees by reminding them about renewal deadlines and offering support if work authorization gaps occur.
Background: How Did We Get Here?
From January 2023 to January 2025, a court settlement (Edakunni v. Mayorkas) allowed USCIS to process H-4, H-1B, and H-4 EAD applications together. This made things faster and easier for families. But when the settlement expired, USCIS went back to processing each application separately. This change, combined with the surge in applications and not enough staff, created the current backlog.
The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role. During the pandemic, USCIS faced staff shortages and office closures, which slowed down processing. Even though offices have reopened, the agency is still trying to catch up.
What Can Applicants Do Right Now?
If you are an H-4 EAD holder or plan to apply, here are some steps you can take:
- Check your I-94 expiration date:
Make sure your H-4 status will last long enough to cover your EAD renewal period. -
File your EAD renewal as early as allowed:
You can file up to six months before your current EAD expires. Don’t wait until the last minute. -
Monitor your case status:
Use the USCIS Case Status Online tool to track your application. -
Respond quickly to any RFEs:
If you get a request for more information, send what’s needed as soon as possible. -
Talk to your employer:
Let them know about possible delays and work together to plan for any gaps in work authorization. -
Consider legal advice:
If your case is complicated or you face long delays, an immigration lawyer can help you understand your options.
Where to Find Official Information
For the latest processing times, visit the USCIS Processing Times Portal. This site shows average wait times for each service center and type of application.
To learn more about automatic EAD extensions, check the USCIS Automatic EAD Extension page. This page explains who qualifies for the 540-day extension and how it works.
If you need to download or fill out the H-4 EAD application form (Form I-765), you can find it on the official USCIS Form I-765 page.
What Might Happen Next?
As of July 2025, there are no signs that USCIS will bring back bundled processing or add premium processing for H-4 EADs. The agency may keep looking for ways to make its work faster, but unless it gets more staff or changes its procedures, delays are likely to continue.
Some experts hope that Congress or the administration will step in to help, but for now, families and employers must plan for long waits.
Practical Tips for H-4 EAD Applicants
- Set reminders:
Mark your calendar for six months before your EAD expires so you can file your renewal on time.
- Keep copies:
Save copies of all forms, receipts, and documents you send to USCIS. -
Stay informed:
Check the USCIS website and trusted news sources like VisaVerge.com for updates on processing times and policy changes. -
Plan for gaps:
If your I-94 will expire soon, talk to your employer about possible work interruptions and make a backup plan.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
The USCIS workload is the main reason for the long H-4 EAD delays in 2025. While the new 540-day automatic extension helps, it does not solve the root problem of too many applications and not enough staff. H-4 spouses, their families, and employers must stay alert, file early, and use all available resources to manage these delays.
For the most up-to-date information, always check the USCIS Processing Times Portal. By staying prepared and informed, applicants can reduce the risk of losing work authorization and better handle the challenges caused by the current USCIS workload.
Learn Today
H-4 EAD → Employment Authorization Document allowing H-4 visa holders to work legally in the United States.
USCIS → United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency processing immigration and work authorization applications.
Unbundling → Separating H-4 EAD applications from related H-4 and H-1B petitions, increasing processing delays.
Request for Evidence (RFE) → A USCIS notice requiring applicants to provide additional information or documents to continue processing.
I-94 → Arrival/departure record showing legal stay duration in the U.S., crucial for work authorization validity.
This Article in a Nutshell
USCIS struggles with a massive backlog of H-4 EAD applications in 2025, delaying work permits up to a year. The 540-day automatic extension offers relief, but systemic staffing limits and process changes mean long waits and challenges for families and employers persist.
— By VisaVerge.com
