The History of the U.S. H-4 Visa

The H-4 visa is a dependent visa category in the United States that allows H-1B visa holders’ spouses and children under 21 years of age to accompany them and reside in the U.S.

The history of the H-4 visa is closely tied to the history of the H-1B visa program itself, which was established as part of the [Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952](https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/immigration-act#:~:text=the full notice.-,The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (The McCarran-Walter,controversial system of immigrant selection.). The H-1 visa category was initially created to address labor shortages in specialized fields and to allow U.S. employers to fill positions with nondomestic when qualified American workers were not available.

As the demand for skilled workers in sectors such as technology, engineering, and healthcare increased, the H-1B visa program has expanded significantly. Many H-1B visa holders are highly skilled professionals working in fields such as information technology, finance, medicine, and academia.

Prior to the introduction of the H-4 visa, spouses and dependent children of H-1B visa holders had few options for accompanying their family members to the U.S. They often had to obtain separate visas, such as tourist visas, which did not allow them to work or study in the U.S.? The creation of the H-4 visa was a response to the needs of H-1B visa holders who wanted to unify their families - even temporarily - while they worked in the United States. At present, the H-4 visa allows spouses and children to live, study, and, under certain circumstances, work in the U.S. while their family member holds H-1B status. For H-4 visa holders who have received work authorization approval, download the F1Hire extension in order to search for employers who are nondomestic worker friendly; the F1Hire extension will also help you search for positions by location, job field and more variables.

The H-4 visa has undergone changes and updates over the years, including policy changes related to eligibility for employment authorization for H-4 spouses. These changes have been influenced by various factors, including shifts in immigration policy, economic considerations, and advocacy efforts by stakeholders.

TLDR: The H-4 visa was established to facilitate family reunification of H-1B visa holders, recognizing the importance of keeping families together while individuals contribute their skills and expertise to the U.S. workforce.