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h4 l2 visa
Lexi Wu12.27.20244 min read

H-4 & L-2 Visa Holders Face a Return to Backlogs and Job Uncertainty

H-4 & L-2 Visa Holders Face a Return to Backlogs and Job Uncertainty
6:42

For the last two years, families with H-4 and L-2 visa status do not have to deal with other’s archetypical, “I only care about myself” efficiency of American immigration bureaucracy. Thus, as a result of a settlement, applications for dependent visas and work permits were considered together with applications for H-1B or L-1 spouse under an expedited procedure. But then, on January 18, 2025, this convenience may disappear—leaving tens of thousands in the lurch.

Imagine this: You have established a career, provided insurance for your family, and thought thoroughly about the opportunities and stress of life in another country. Now any situation may extinguish all opportunities, even just if you need to renew your visa or work permit. Time limits are threatening, and there is hardly any light regarding the future.

Why January 18, 2025, Is a Turning Point?

This critical date marks the expiration of a settlement in Edakunni v. Mayorkas, which compelled USCIS to bundle and expedite H-4 and L-2 applications filed with their spouses’ H-1B or L-1 applications. Starting January 25, 2023, this change dramatically reduced wait times for dependent visas and work permits, providing a lifeline for families who had previously faced months, or even years, of delays.

However, after January 18, USCIS will no longer be obligated to offer this bundled processing. The result? A likely return to the painful backlog and bureaucratic hurdles of the Trump administration era, when delays often meant lost jobs, expired medical insurance, and an overwhelming sense of helplessness.

What Could Go Wrong Afterwards?

The post-settlement scenario paints a grim picture:

  1. Unbundled Applications:
    H-4 and L-2 applications may once again be processed separately, even if filed concurrently with H-1B or L-1 applications under premium processing. This could delay approvals by months, leaving dependent spouses unable to work or renew their driver’s licenses.

  2. Mandatory Biometrics Appointments:
    USCIS could reintroduce the requirement for in-person biometrics collection for every renewal. With limited appointments available, these additional steps could stretch processing times far beyond what families can afford.

  3. Disruption in Work Authorization:
    Without timely EAD renewals, H-4 and L-2 visa holders may face employment gaps, forcing them to leave their jobs and jeopardizing their families’ financial stability.

  4. Abandoned Promises:
    The Biden administration’s proposal to expand premium processing to I-539 and I-765 applications—a beacon of hope for many—is unlikely to survive under a new administration.

A History of Delays Under Trump Administration 4 Years Ago

For those who lived through it, the potential rollback feels like déjà vu. In 2019, USCIS introduced new biometrics requirements for H-4 and L-2 visa holders, turning what was once a half-hour processing task into an eight-month ordeal. During the worst of the backlog, families faced wait times of over a year.

These delays were catastrophic for dependent spouses with limited visa durations. People lost jobs because their EAD renewals didn’t arrive in time. Without valid documentation, some lost access to healthcare, while others couldn’t renew their driver’s licenses, further isolating them in a country they called home.

What Families Can Do Now

The looming deadline leaves little time to act. Here’s how families can prepare:

  1. Submit Applications Early:
    File H-4 and L-2 applications with H-1B or L-1 applications under premium processing before January 18, 2025. This could give your application a chance to be adjudicated before the settlement expires.

  2. Apply for EAD Renewals ASAP:
    Don’t wait—submit renewal applications as early as 180 days before your current EAD expires to avoid work disruptions.

  3. Plan for Delays:
    If your application remains pending after January 18, prepare for a potentially lengthy wait.

What’s at Stake

This isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about families. It’s about spouses who contribute to their households and communities but risk being sidelined by a system that doesn’t prioritize their needs. It’s about children who depend on stable healthcare and schooling, and breadwinners whose jobs hang by a thread.

As the political winds shift, many families feel the familiar weight of uncertainty pressing down on them. While the current administration tried to repair some of the damage caused by past policies, the future remains unclear. What’s certain is that the lives of thousands hang in the balance as January 18, 2025, draws closer.

This is more than a bureaucratic rollback. It’s a reminder of how fragile life can become when policy turns indifferent to the people it governs.

 

If you are using a H-4 or L-2 Spouse Visa and look to work in the US, Feel free to contact us!

 
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Lexi Wu

Possesses extensive cross-cultural work experience across multiple countries, with a strong background in product planning, marketing, and data analysis. Skilled in technical writing and trend analysis, currently serving as a Product Marketing Manager at GoElite.

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