Indian H-1B families face fresh uncertainty over H-4 work permits

Thousands of Indian families living in the United States on H-1B visas may soon face uncertainty over their spouse's employment rights. The Trump administration is proposing to end employment authorization for H-4 visa holders, the spouses of H-1B workers. This policy reversal could hit Indian professionals, particularly women, harder than any other group.

The proposal, titled "Removing H-4 Dependent Spouses From the Classes of Noncitizens Eligible for Employment Authorization," aims to reverse a 2015 rule that allowed certain H-4 spouses to work. Indian nationals accounted for 71% of approved H-1B petitions in FY2024, and 93% of those who applied for H-4 EADs between 2014 and 2017 were Indian women working in fields such as medicine, STEM, education, and technology.

However, the proposal is still an early step and does not take effect immediately. H-4 spouses currently holding valid Employment Authorization Documents can continue working under existing rules.