H-4 EAD vs H-1B EAD: Side-by-Side Comparison

How to Choose: H-4 EAD vs H-1B EAD

H-4 EAD and H-1B EAD (Employment Authorization Document) are both work authorization documents for H status holders, but with very different eligibility and implications. H-4 EAD is available only to H-4 dependent spouses whose H-1B principal spouse has an approved I-140 immigrant petition — it provides open-market work authorization (unrestricted employer, any occupation). H-1B EAD refers colloquially to the work authorization that an H-1B holder has by virtue of their H-1B status — tied to the petitioning employer. H-4 EAD is more valuable in terms of job flexibility (any employer, any job) but is contingent on the principal's I-140 status. H-1B holders are restricted to their petitioning employer unless they transfer (portability requires filing a new petition and can qualify for AC21 portability after 180 days). For H-4 dependents, obtaining an H-4 EAD once the principal's I-140 is approved provides genuine career flexibility.