Abused spouses eligible |
H-4 visa holders and those who have fallen out of H-4 status can now apply for work authorization in the U.S., if they are victims of domestic violence. H-4 visas are allotted to the spouses of H-1B – foreign skilled labor – visa holders. The visa is also given to the spouses of some temporary guest-workers. Spouses of H-3 visa holders –those in specialty training programs in the U.S. – may also receive an H-4 visa.Approximately 80 percent of H-4 visa holders are from South Asian countries, primarily India. Many have skill levels equivalent to their spouses, but until last May, H-4 visa holders were not allowed to work in the U.S. But H-4 visa holders – whose spouses had applied for green cards for permanent status in the U.S. will now be allowed to apply for work authorization. More than 180,000 people – largely women – were eligible to apply.The new memo is limited to H-4 dependent spouses, according to Indian American immigration attorney Nisha Karnani . The rule was authorized in 2005 – as a portion of the Violence Against Women Act – but took more than 10 years to implement. Still, a date has not yet been set as to when the application form – I-765v, which will allow battered women to apply for work authorization – will be released.
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