H-1B, H-4 EAD and green card basics
Immigration rules change often, so this page sticks to what USCIS and the State Department publish and links to the pages that hold the current numbers. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney.
Facts checked Oct 25, 2026
An H-4 spouse can apply for an EAD (category c26) if the H-1B spouse has an approved I-140 or certain AC21 extensions, and cannot work until the card is issued. Fees are in USCIS Form G-1055 and processing times on the USCIS site. Biometrics in Charlotte are at 910 East Arrowood Road.
H-4 EAD in plain words
An H-4 spouse in status can apply for an EAD (category c26) if the H-1B spouse has an approved I-140 or AC21 106(a)/(b) status. It can be filed with an I-129 or I-539. No work is allowed until the EAD card is issued.
Source: uscis.gov ↗as of Oct 25, 2026
If the I-765 is filed together with an I-485, the category is (c)(9), not (c)(26).
Source: uscis.gov ↗as of Oct 25, 2026
Fees and processing times
USCIS fees are listed in Form G-1055 (edition dated October 16, 2026). The I-765 fee depends on the category.
Source: uscis.gov ↗as of Oct 16, 2026
USCIS announced an inflation increase for certain fees for fiscal year 2027.
Source: uscis.gov ↗as of Sep 30, 2026
Processing times change monthly and are published on the USCIS processing times page.
Source: egov.uscis.gov ↗as of Oct 25, 2026
Green card queue
India priority dates are published monthly in the State Department Visa Bulletin.
Source: travel.state.gov ↗as of Oct 25, 2026
USCIS published a new edition of Form I-485 and rejects older editions from September 18, 2026.
Source: uscis.gov ↗as of Aug 19, 2026
USCIS offices in Charlotte
USCIS Application Support Center (biometrics): 910 East Arrowood Road, Charlotte, NC 28217. No walk-ins; go to the address on your notice.
Source: uscis.gov ↗as of Oct 25, 2026
USCIS opened a Charlotte Asylum Office at 128 South Tryon St, Suite 600, taking NC and SC cases from October 13, 2026. Appointments only.
Source: uscis.gov ↗as of Oct 9, 2026
- USCIS Charlotte Field Office ↗1-800-375-5283
- USCIS H-1B page ↗For current H-1B rules and announcements
- USCIS alerts feed ↗
Watch for scams
USCIS warns about callers pretending to be USCIS and explains how to report them.
Source: uscis.gov ↗as of Oct 25, 2026
Questions people ask
Where is the USCIS biometrics office in Charlotte?
910 East Arrowood Road, Charlotte, NC 28217, by appointment on your notice only, per USCIS as of October 25, 2026.