Work Authorization Update—Relaxed Rules For E, L, and H Spouses
Effective November 12, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) extended employment authorization for certain E, H, and L dependent spouses. Specifically, USCIS now recognizes that L and E dependent spouses have the ability to work “incident to status” and that they, in addition to certain H-4 spouses, enjoy an automatic extension of a timely filed Employment Authorization Document (“EAD”). This is a welcome development for both foreign nationals and employers. It is anticipated that the new measure will help avoid the risk of work authorization lapsing through government processing delays and should operate to streamline the on boarding and work renewal process for employers. To learn more, click here.