My spouse is planning to switch career from STEM. He is currently in tech as he has does masters in US but is inclined to do something else. He wants to transfer from H1B to H4 and then apply for H4 EAD with my i140 filed. Has anyone gone through such situations? How long does it take for H4 approval. On top of it how much time it takes for H4 EAD? My H1 is expiring in June. So when should he resign? Should I wait for H1 to get approved first?
Someone I know did it and waited for H4 approval to come through then resigned then got EAD in 2 months, started a company, quit in 6 months and went back to H1b again
H4 ead could take 6 months. Also there is talk of US government discontinuing H4 ead soon. You can track H4 ead status of other people on trackitt.com and get an idea of the wait time.
My spouse was in similar situation. The EAD took 4 months to arrive.
I did for my spouse back in June 2019. H1 to H4 COS and EAD took 6 months. If your H1 is expiring in June, you can file for the renewal/extension and file for his H4 COS and EAD together. It will still take the same time for H4 and EAD even though you apply in premium for your H1 bcoz of the new biometrics processing for H4. H4 is now being processed separately from H1 even though if applied together.
Does he have approved I-140 from his current employer ?
Yes he does
Then you are good. Ask him to resign on the day when H4 approval comes through. EAD will follow in a few months.