The first step is to complete USCIS Form I -539.
- Go to the USCIS website, uscis.gov, click forms, then I-539. Or use this direct link to USCIS Form I-539.
- You can open the pdf then download it and save it to your computer.
- Once you open the I-539 form on your computer you can complete it, then print and sign and date it.
- The primary H-4 applicant complete USCIS Form I-539.
- Other family members applying at the same time complete USCIS Form I-539A.
The second step is to gather the required supporting documents.
- Here are the documents uscis requires when filing the H-4 visa:
- From the H-1B Visa Holder
- H-1B Visa I-797 Approval Notice or Filing Receipt
- Most recent I-94 (from CBP)
- Most recent Visa from passport
- 3 most recent pay-checks or pay-stubs
- Marriage Certificate
- Passport Picture Page
- From Each H-4 Applicant
- H-4 Visa I-797 Approval Notice or Filing Receipt (if applicable)
- Most recent I-94 (from CBP)
- Most recent Visa from passport
- Passport Picture Page
- From the H-1B Visa Holder
The 3rd and final Step is filing your H-4 visa petition with USCIS.
- The USCIS fee is $370 plus the $85 biometrics fee for each applicant.
- So for example, if there are 3 H-4 applicants (Spouse of H-1B Visa holder, and 2 children of the H-1B Visa Holder), then the fee would be $370 + $85 + $85 + $85.
- You can make individual checks or 1 check for the total.
- A personal check is best because you can confirm with your bank that it’s been cashed, and USCIS usually enters your case # on the back of the cashed check. You won’t have that benefit if you use a money order.
- The check should be made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”.
- You’ll want to be sure to make a copy of the complete filing that you sending to USCIS.
- We always scan and save a complete copy.
- You’ll want to be sure that you have the correct USCIS I-539 Filing Address.
- If we are filing the H-4 petition with the H-1B visa petition, then we file at the address determined by the H-1B filing.
- If we are filing the H-4 petition by itself, then we file with either the Dallas Lockbox or the Phoenix Lockbox, depending on the H-1B receipt #.
What happens after I file my H-4 petition with USCIS?
Expect to receive the USCIS I-797 filing receipt About 2-4 weeks after filing the H-4 visa petition with uscis.
- The I-797 filing receipt will have the case # in the top left hand corner.
- You can then check the processing time on the uscis website here.
- And you can check the status of your USCIS case here.