Many applicants face delays because their photos do not meet Canadian IRCC standards.

Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to help you get your photos right the first time as per Canada photo guidelines for Visa or Permanent residency.

Official Canada Photo Requirements

To avoid delays and rejections, your application photos must strictly follow the official Canada government photo specifications.

• Size: 2 inch width x 2-3/4 inches height (50mm x 70mm)
• Head Position: Head height must be between 1-1/4 inch and 1-7/14 inches (31–36 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the hair.
• Background: A plain white or off-white background is required, with no patterns or shadows.
• Expression: Maintain a neutral facial expression or a natural, subtle smile. Both eyes must be open and visible.
• Eyewear: Glasses are not permitted in the photo, except in rare instances of medical necessity with a signed doctor’s statement.
• Print Quality: Photos must be high-resolution, printed on photo-quality paper (matte or glossy), and free of smudges or creases.
• Digital Size:Between 715×1000 and 2000×2800 pixels in JPEG or PNG format; file size must 4MB or less

Important: Do not use selfies, casual snapshots, or heavily filtered photos. Ensure the lighting is even and there are no dark shadows on your face or the background.

Where to Get photo Clicked In USA?

You can visit Walmart, CVS or Walgreens to get your photos clicked.

At some locations, even Costco and Sams club also offer reasonably proceed passport size photos. They can also edit the photo as per USCIS requirements.

They usually charge upwards of $14.99 for two pictures.

The other option is to click the photo yourself using the mobile phone camera or your digital camera. There are softwares and websites available online which can help you edit your photos to exact specifications.

You should remember that editing is complex as the final edited image should print to exact measurements of 2 inch x 2-3/4 inch on paper. The image’s DPI (dots per inch) also matter as they control the quality of the final printed output.

USCIS requires the image to be high resolution which can be attained if you click the image by your iPhone and then edit it to at least 300 DPI. AM22Tech’s AI photo editor takes care of checking the photo resolution and edits it to minimum 300 Dots per inch thereby making it extremely easy to satisfy government requirements.

If you would like to click them yourself to save money, here is how to take photo at home.

Step 1 of 4

Lighting

How to Take Your Passport or Visa Photo at Home

Save time and money by capturing a professional-quality photo right from home. All you need is a smartphone and a few minutes. Follow these steps for the perfect shot.

1 Right Lighting

Stand against a plain white or off-white wall. Face a window for natural daylight to ensure even lighting and avoid harsh shadows.

2 Set Up Your Camera

Use a tripod or ask a friend. Keep the lens at eye level and about 2 to 4 feet away. Always use the back camera for sharper quality.

3 Strike the Correct Pose

Look directly at the camera with a neutral expression. Keep your head straight, shoulders relaxed, and ensure your full head and shoulders are visible.

4 Capture & Upload

Take the shot and upload it to an AI photo editor. It will adjust background, crop correctly, and produce a high-resolution photo that matches government standards.

Expert Tip

Avoid using a flash. It creates glare on skin and glasses. Natural light is your best friend!

FAQ

The post Canada PR, Passport Photo Online – 50x70mm Guidelines [Avoid Rejection] appeared first on AM22Tech.

Check if you are eligible to apply for H4 EAD.

Documents for H4 EAD Application

#1 H4 EAD Fee

H4 EAD fee is $520.

USCIS accepts payment by Credit Card or ACH bank transfer

1. Pay by credit card – Fill form G-1450
2. Pay by ACH debit transfer – Fill form Form G-1650

Attach the form on top of the application.

ACH should be from a US bank.

If you are using the credit card, then it should have been issued by a US bank. International cards from non-US countries will not work.

Payment by Check/Money order is NOT accepted by USCIS.

#2 Photo (Two; each 2×2 inch size)

Two identical 2×2 inch photographs clicked within the last 30 days are required for the H4 EAD application.

Write your name and i94 number (OR SSN OR Alien registration number) on the back of the photograph with a light gray colored pencil.

Off course, you can click the H4 EAD photo at home, edit it and then print yourself to save money.

The admission record number on H4’s i94 fetched from the CBP site is what should be written on the back of each photo.

Do not send an old photo with the I-765 application as USCIS will send RFE to submit new photos. This will increase your H4 EAD processing time.

#3 Fill I-765 Form

Download and fill USCIS i765 form. You can also use our app to fill out the form. The app validates and checks all form fields to make sure you do not make any mistakes.

You can use this app to fill the form, validate all, and make sure the form is not rejected or an RFE is sent by USCIS:

Open App in new Window

#4 H4 Status Proof

• Copy of H-4 visa holder’s most recent I-797 Approval. If an H4 extension has been approved recently, use the extension approval. OR
• Most recent H4 i-94 copy. If an H4 extension were approved recently, the new i94 would be attached to your H4 extension approval (i797) notice OR
• A Copy of the pending H4 extension if it has not reached any result yet.

#5 Government Issued Photo ID Document

• Copy of Passport’s front (with Photo) and back pages (with address) OR
• Copy of USA H4 Visa stamp page from the Passport OR
• A copy of your last EAD – Both front and back (if any) OR
• A birth certificate with a photo ID. For example, an Indian (or Chinese) birth certificate will work only if it has a photograph. OR
• Any other national identity document with a photo. US State ID or Driving License is NOT acceptable.

#6 H4’s Relationship Proof with H1B

A copy of your marriage certificate in English is required to prove the H4 dependent’s relationship to primary H1B.

#7 H4 EAD Eligibility Proof

Primary H1B spouse’s I-140 i797c approval notice is required to prove H4 EAD eligibility.

If your employer has not shared the I-140 approval copy with you, use the USCIS FOIA request to get I-140 details.

#8 Current H4-EAD Copy (If applying Renewal/Extension)

An existing EAD copy is required only if you already have H4 EAD and you are applying for renewal or extension.

Only a black color ink pen is allowed as USCIS uses computer scanning to read forms.

Do NOT staple the documents. Use a paper clip to bind them together.

#9 Form G1145 (Optional but recommended)

Use form G1145 to let USCIS send you an SMS or an email once they receive your application. Attach this form at the top of the EAD application package.

Concurrent Filing – H1B, H4, H4 EAD

If you are filing H1B, H4, and H4 EAD applications concurrently at the same time in the same package, you can write this in question 29 on form i765:

• “Filed Concurrently” OR
• Leave Blank OR
• Write the current approved H1B receipt number

All three options have been tried and tested and all of them work fine. Our recommendation is to write “Filed concurrently” in Q29 or use our app and it will handle all text automatically.

Don’t worry about the limited space to write it. You can just write with free handwriting.

H4-EAD Renewal Documents

The document list is the same for H4-EAD renewal or extension as for the new H4-EAD application mentioned above.

The start date for the H4 EAD extension may be in the future.

Example,
If your H4 expires in Sep, and you applied for renewal in Mar, of the same year, your extended H4’s start date may be Sep instead of March.

It is on USCIS to give a current start date or future one (that correlates with your current H4’s expiry date).

To fill up the i-765 form, we would consider the most recent H4 approval irrespective of its start date.

Based on it, your i94 number and primary H1B i797 approval receipt number will be decided while filing the i765.

Apply SSN with EAD

If you do not currently have SSN, select ‘No’ on Q 13.a. and then select ‘Yes’ on Q 14 and Q 15.
You will have to fill Q 16.a., 16.b. with your (H4’s) father and mother’s name to get an SSN card.

Your SSN card will be automatically generated after your EAD is approved within 3-4 weeks and mailed by USPS.

FAQ

The post How to file H4 EAD, Documents, Form i765 (New / Renewal Process) appeared first on AM22Tech.

USCIS forwards your H4 EAD application internally to other centers from Dallas or Phoenix themselves. You do not need to worry about it.

You can use this app to fill out the EAD form, validate all, and make sure the form is not rejected or an RFE is sent by USCIS.

H1B Receipt Number Starts with IOE?

USCIS has recently started generating H1B receipt numbers using their e-filing with receipt numbers that start with IOE or MCT.

In this case, the actual service center name is written at the bottom of the receipt.

H4 EAD applications are sent to other USCIS service centers after sorting through the lockbox addresses. You will get an H4 EAD receipt number separately from the final service center.

FAQ

Source: USCIS

The post H4 EAD USCIS Mail Address – Filing alone or with H4 extension appeared first on AM22Tech.

In USA, VFS instructions are a little different:

1. Paper printed photo size: 2×2 inch
2. Upload Photo size: 35×45 mm

Many applicants face delays or rejections because their photos do not meet Indian gov standards while uploading it on website.

Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to help you get your photos right the first time as per Indian gov photo guidelines for passport or OCI.

Indian Passport Photo Requirements

To avoid delays and rejections, your application photos must strictly follow the official Indian government photo specifications.

• Size: 45 x 35 mm
• Head Position: Head height must be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the hair.
• Background: A plain light gray background is required, with no patterns or shadows.
• Expression: Maintain a neutral facial expression or a natural, subtle smile. Both eyes must be open and visible.
• Eyewear: Glasses are not permitted in the photo, except in rare instances of medical necessity with a signed doctor’s statement.
• Print Quality: Photos must be high-resolution, printed on photo-quality paper (matte or glossy), and free of smudges or creases.
• Quantity: Unless specified otherwise on your form, you must submit two identical photos.

Important: Do not use selfies, casual snapshots, or heavily filtered photos. Ensure the lighting is even and there are no dark shadows on your face or the background.

Where to Get Indian Passport photo Clicked?

You can visit Walmart, CVS or Walgreens to get your photos clicked for Indian passport renewal.

At some locations, even Costco and Sams club also offer reasonably priced passport size photos. They can also edit the photo as per Indian government’s 45×35 size requirements.

They usually charge upwards of $14.99 for two pictures.

The other option is to click the photo yourself using the mobile phone camera or your digital camera. There are softwares and websites available online which can help you edit your photos to exact specifications.

You should remember that editing is complex as the final edited image should print to exact measurements of 2 inch x 2 inch on paper. The image’s DPI (dots per inch) also matter as they control the quality of the final printed output.

Indian government requires the image to be high resolution which can be attained if you click the image by your iPhone and then edit it to at least 300 DPI. AM22Tech’s AI photo editor takes care of checking the photo resolution and edits it to minimum 300 Dots per inch thereby making it extremely easy to satisfy government requirements.

If you would like to click them yourself to save money, here is how to take Indian passport photo at home.

Step 1 of 4

Lighting

How to Take Your Passport or Visa Photo at Home

Save time and money by capturing a professional-quality photo right from home. All you need is a smartphone and a few minutes. Follow these steps for the perfect shot.

1 Right Lighting

Stand against a plain white or off-white wall. Face a window for natural daylight to ensure even lighting and avoid harsh shadows.

2 Set Up Your Camera

Use a tripod or ask a friend. Keep the lens at eye level and about 2 to 4 feet away. Always use the back camera for sharper quality.

3 Strike the Correct Pose

Look directly at the camera with a neutral expression. Keep your head straight, shoulders relaxed, and ensure your full head and shoulders are visible.

4 Capture & Upload

Take the shot and upload it to an AI photo editor. It will adjust background, crop correctly, and produce a high-resolution photo that matches government standards.

Expert Tip

Avoid using a flash. It creates glare on skin and glasses. Natural light is your best friend!

Making Your Photo Indian Gov-Ready

Even with a perfect shot, technical details like resizing, cropping, and cleaning the background can be a headache. Indian government is very strict and will reject photos if the head ratio or dimensions are even slightly off, leading to frustrating delays.

The Final Editing Steps

• Crop and center the head to the exact specifications.
• Ensure precise 45x35 mm dimensions.
• Professionally remove background shadows and ensure a light-gray background.
• Generate print-ready files (JPEG/PNG) for easy printing at home or a store.

FAQ

The post Indian Passport Photo Online in USA – Gov & VFS Guidelines [Avoid Rejection] appeared first on AM22Tech.

Many applicants face delays or RFEs because their photos do not meet USCIS standards.

Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to help you get your photos right the first time as per USCIS photo guidelines for H4 EAD.

Official USCIS Photo Requirements

To avoid delays and rejections, your application photos must strictly follow the official U.S. government photo specifications.

• Size: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
• Head Position: Head height must be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the hair.
• Background: A plain white or off-white background is required, with no patterns or shadows.
• Expression: Maintain a neutral facial expression or a natural, subtle smile. Both eyes must be open and visible.
• Eyewear: Glasses are not permitted in the photo, except in rare instances of medical necessity with a signed doctor’s statement.
• Print Quality: Photos must be high-resolution, printed on photo-quality paper (matte or glossy), and free of smudges or creases.
• Quantity: Unless specified otherwise on your form, you must submit two identical photos.

Important: Do not use selfies, casual snapshots, or heavily filtered photos. Ensure the lighting is even and there are no dark shadows on your face or the background.

Where to Get H4 EAD photo Clicked?

You can visit Walmart, CVS or Walgreens to get your photos clicked for H4 EAD.

At some locations, even Costco and Sams club also offer reasonably proced passport size photos. They can also edit the photo as per USCIS requirements.

They usually charge upwards of $14.99 for two pictures.

The other option is to click the photo yourself using the mobile phone camera or your digital camera. There are softwares and websites available online which can help you edit your photos to exact specifications.

You should remember that editing is complex as the final edited image should print to exact measurements of 2 inch x 2 inch on paper. The image’s DPI (dots per inch) also matter as they control the quality of the final printed output.

USCIS requires the image to be high resolution which can be attained if you click the image by your iPhone and then edit it to at least 300 DPI. AM22Tech’s AI photo editor takes care of checking the photo resolution and edits it to minimum 300 Dots per inch thereby making it extremely easy to satisfy government requirements.

If you would like to click them yourself to save money, here is how to take H4 EAD photo at home.

Step 1 of 4

Lighting

How to Take Your Passport or Visa Photo at Home

Save time and money by capturing a professional-quality photo right from home. All you need is a smartphone and a few minutes. Follow these steps for the perfect shot.

1 Right Lighting

Stand against a plain white or off-white wall. Face a window for natural daylight to ensure even lighting and avoid harsh shadows.

2 Set Up Your Camera

Use a tripod or ask a friend. Keep the lens at eye level and about 2 to 4 feet away. Always use the back camera for sharper quality.

3 Strike the Correct Pose

Look directly at the camera with a neutral expression. Keep your head straight, shoulders relaxed, and ensure your full head and shoulders are visible.

4 Capture & Upload

Take the shot and upload it to an AI photo editor. It will adjust background, crop correctly, and produce a high-resolution photo that matches government standards.

Expert Tip

Avoid using a flash. It creates glare on skin and glasses. Natural light is your best friend!

Making Your Photo USCIS-Ready

Even with a perfect shot, technical details like resizing, cropping, and cleaning the background can be a headache. USCIS is very strict and will reject photos if the head ratio or dimensions are even slightly off, leading to frustrating delays.

The Final Editing Steps

• Crop and center the head to the exact specifications.
• Ensure precise 2x2 inch (51x51 mm) dimensions.
• Professionally remove background shadows and ensure a pure white background.
• Generate print-ready files (JPEG/PNG/PDF) for easy printing at home or a store.

FAQ

The post How to Get H4 EAD Photo Online – USCIS Guidelines [Avoid Rejection] appeared first on AM22Tech.

You can use this app to fill out the EAD form, validate all, and make sure the form is not rejected or an RFE is sent by USCIS.

EAD Processing Time

You will receive the new EAD card (i-485 EAD, F1 OPT-EAD, L2 EAD, H4 EAD, or other) by mail within 5-10 working days after the “New card is being produced” USCIS case status update.

The EAD (Employment Authorization Document) is filed using USCIS form I-765.

I485 New Card is Being Produced

The i485 adjustment of status application can also have the “New card is being produced” status. This means that your green card is approved. You should get it by USPS mail within 5-10 working days after this status.

It is possible that the case status directly shows the New card is being produced without any USCIS notification about case approval. There is no need to worry as the card will not be produced until the case is approved first.

As an example, see the case history for this i-485 application where the status changed to “New card is being produced” even when the expedited request was denied.

It seems that the USCIS website only shows the most recent update if there have been multiple status changes within the same day. I am just guessing here.

SSN Card with EAD

The SSN request is sent to the SSN office after your EAD has been approved. It will take about 4-5 weeks for the SSN card to arrive by USPS mail.

There is no biometric required for H4-EAD and SSN.

SSN card Not Received After EAD approval?

If you do not receive the SSN in 6 weeks, you can directly visit your local SSN office. They can check if any SSN application is pending for you.

If no application is pending, you can request a new SSN.

EAD, AP Combo Card

The i485 EAD + AP (advance parole) combo card is also approved with a “New card is being produced” status.

In many cases, if USCIS thinks that your Green card can be approved earlier than your EAD/AP, they may even deny your EAD application. This is normal and no need to worry.

It would help if you planned to travel outside the USA only after your I131 advance parole card has been approved.  

USCIS Case History

Other status updates for the EAD i765 application may look like this:

FAQ

The post New Card Is Being Produced Meaning (USCIS Case Status) appeared first on AM22Tech.

The immigration system here is so complex that unless you are half attorney, you will make mistakes on the way.

It is not a mistake but a design.

1. Your physical entry into the US is governed by a visa stamp in your Passport or Advance Parole document.
2. Your stay length in the US is governed by i94.
3. The i94 validity is governed by your passport expiry.
4. Your passport expiry is governed by your country’s passport validity rules!

Coming to the topic and giving you options if you forgot to file an H4 extension with USCIS before the H4 i94 expired.

There are a couple of them.

Option 1: File H4 Extension with NPT with USCIS

The quickest option without leaving the USA physically is to file a Nunc Pro Tunc (NPT) application with USCIS.

This is nothing but filing the regular H4 extension using form i539 and requesting the extension from the past date. This past date is the date of the i94 expiry.

In most cases of H4, if the primary H1B has maintained the H1B status and the H4 extension was missed unintentionally, USCIS regularly approves the H4 extension with NPT.

Once approved, they issue an I94 from the past date to make the gap period legal.

How to make an NPT filing decision?

We are sharing this as a suggestion based on real-life instances that our users on the forum have shared and had success with NPT.

In all cases, we suggest to leave the US and apply H4 visa stamp in your passport if your stay has exceeded 180 days.

This is a successful case of H4 visa stamping at Hyderabad, India after spending 180+ days in the US, filing NPT, and then leaving to be on the safe side.

The 180-day mark is important as there can be a 3-year entry ban that can be imposed on you if you have stayed in the US without status for 180+ days.

USA Entry ban criteria

• 3 years: If the person spent more than 180 continuous days (approximately six months) in the U.S. unlawfully and then left voluntarily before removal proceedings begin
• 10 years: If the person spent more than 365 days (one continuous year) in the U.S. unlawfully and then left for whatever reason, or was ordered removed from the U.S

This means that it is better to leave even if the NPT application is pending result and was filed before 180 days were completed. This helps to stay on the safe side as the USCIS result is unknown and you do not know how much more time USCIS will take to process your NPT application.

Option 2: Leave the US, File H4 Visa with US Embassy

The other option is to leave the US and file an H4 visa stamp application using your spouse’s H1B i797 petition with the US embassy.

You can visit your home country, Mexico, Canada, or any other country to get this H4 visa stamp.

You will need an explanation of your situation as to why you did not file an extension time along with the regular documents for the H4 visa stamp.

On the DS-160 form, you will have to say yes to the question and then explain your situation.

How to explain?

The most common answer to H4 not being filed timely is “We did not know that an H4 extension is required“. This is the WRONG answer as negligence of US immigration laws is not allowed.

We suggest writing any one of the following based on your situation:

• The employer usually files the H4 extension along with H1B and this time, they did not sponsor the H4 extension. We filed an NPT extension as soon as we got to know about it.
• We traveled out of the US and the H4 i94 was shortened due to the passport expiry on re-entry. We forgot to track the i94 expiry but applied for an H4 extension as soon as we realized our mistake

Unlawful presence starts on I94 expiry

Even a single day stay after your H4 i94 has expired is counted as an “Unlawful presence”.

No issue if you mention the Truth in DS 160

It is okay to mention this Unlawful presence time as it is a genuine time. It should not affect your application.

How to File a Nunc Pro Tunc Request?

NPT does not have any official form or a template to file with USCIS. It is simply a request on plain paper that you can write to explain your situation and request approval from the past date.

1. Supporting documents: We suggest including the supporting documents that help prove your argument of why you missed filing the extension before the i94 expiry.
   • Expired Passport copy – If i94 expired due to passport expiry
   • Medical condition – If you had any medical condition that prevented or made you forget to file an extension on time, then include your medical bills and a letter from the Doctor about your condition.
2. Cover letter: Write a letter explaining your situation. If you need help with writing an NPT cover letter, you can contact us and one of our experts will write one for you.
3. USCIS Form: In the case of H4, you will need to fill out form i539.

You will need to send your NPT cover letter, supporting documents, and the USCIS form in the same package to USCIS.

FAQ

The post Missed to file H4 extension, Spent 180+ days in US after i94 expiry [What to do?] appeared first on AM22Tech.

You can use this app to fill out the EAD form, validate all, and make sure the form is not rejected or an RFE is sent by USCIS.

You can check the documents checklist to apply for H4-EAD along with the pre-filled I-765 form.

The most asked question about the H4 EAD form is the receipt number that needs to be written on the form for timely approval without an RFE.

i797 number on form i-765:

This should be the primary H1B’s pending/approved receipt number.

H4 i94 number on I-765 form:

The H4 i94 should be the most recently issued i94 number.

• If H4 is extended within the US (with no travel outside the US), H4 i94 would be attached to the last H4 i797 approval. This may or may not be updated on the online CBP i94 website.
• If H4 entered the US using a visa stamp in the passport, then, the i94 can be downloaded from the CBP i94 website.

H4 EAD Approval Chances

Will H4 EAD be issued with H4 Pending Extension is a common confusion and the answer is that H4 EAD needs an approved H1B and an approved H4 to be approved.

You are allowed to file H4 EAD using your pending H4 extension though.
Recently, we have seen that USCIS approves H4 EAD first and then H4 within 1-2 days.

Many people have reported that their H4 EAD status changed to “New card is being produced” when the H4 extension status still shows as “Case was received”. But, within a matter of 1-2 days, the H4 approval comes through.

Can We Travel while H4 EAD is pending?

You can travel while H4 EAD is pending. But, there are chances of getting an RFE to prove your H4 status if your H4 extension is pending too.

File Multiple H4 EAD Applications?

You can file as many H4 EAD applications as you want if you have the money.

We cover multiple situations where you may be confused as to file another H4 and h4 EAD while one set of applications is still pending results from USCIS.

#1 H1B Transfer with H4, H4 EAD pending

Many people have a situation where they have filed H4 and H4 EAD applications with their H1B extension.

Once their H1B extension has been approved, they want to file an H1B transfer even though their H4 and H4 EAD are still pending due to lengthy processing time after biometrics.

In this case, there is no need to file a new H4 and H4 EAD with your H1B transfer. The H4 and H4 EAD are not employer-specific and hence can be approved even when you have left your old employer.

#2 H4 EAD pending and H1B Extension time approaching

It is possible that you applied for H4 EAD recently when your primary H1B’s current validity was just about 6 months to 1 year. In this case, your current H4 EAD application may be pending while it’s time to file for H1B and H4 extensions.

In this case, you can file another H4 EAD application while your current one is still pending.

• You will need to choose the option 1.a. “Initial permission to accept employment” on form I-765 question 1:

• and say ‘yes’ on question 12 “Have you previously filed Form I-765”.

Remember that if you ever had H4 EAD earlier, you should select option 1. C and attach the earlier EAD copy with your application package.

FAQ

The post Apply H4 EAD while H1B or H4 Extension is Pending appeared first on AM22Tech.

The simple answer is YES, you are eligible to get your social security amount monthly after you turn 62 (retirement age) even if you are outside the US physically.

Eligibility

1 SSN credit is given for 1 quarter of social security tax contribution.

40 credits mean 10 years of contribution if you keep working and contributing without any break.

The 40 credits can be achieved in breaks also.

SSA.gov has a tool to test your eligibility for payments outside the US.

Example:

An H1B worker comes to work for Infosys in the USA. He pays social security tax for 6 years and then returns to India for offshore work. Infosys has an approved i140 for this employee.

He then changes his employer in India and joins TCS (Tata Consultancy Services).

TCS applies for his H1B transfer using Infosys’s approved i140 after 2 years in India and sends him again to the US for a long-term onshore assignment.

As soon as the person joins the TCS in the USA, the payroll starts again, and social security tax is automatically deducted before in-hand pay.

He has worked for another 5 years and continues to contribute to Social Security.

How to check my Credits?

You can register on the Social Security website for a free account and connect it with your SSN.

The website is pretty user-friendly and will show all your contributions irrespective of your work breaks.

You can even use your social account login like Facebook or Google to create an account on the SSA.gov website.

How to Apply for Social Security outside USA?

If you are living outside the USA and want to claim social security, you need to apply for it explicitly in the Social Security office located in your country.

If your country is not listed on the SSN website for an office location, then you should contact the US embassy in your country for the next steps.

Example:

If you are in India, you will need to visit the SSN office in Manila. You will need to visit the office 3 months before your retirement age i.e. 62 and apply for receiving benefits.

Once your application is approved and you are eligible (have 40 credits), you will start receiving your money in India.

How Much Money Will I Get As Social Security?

The amount of social security is calculated based on several factors. You can check an estimate of how much money you are eligible for by entering your average salary in the calculator provided by the SSA.GOV website.

You will need to register on the SSA.GOV website to access this calculator.

H1B workers Eligible to Get Social Security?

I discussed this topic with one of my guests on my YouTube channel and they also have the understanding that one is eligible to get Social Security outside the USA:

FAQ

The post Will Social Security Benefits be Paid in India / Canada If I Leave USA? appeared first on AM22Tech.

Once you have the new H4 i94 in hand, you can send it to the USCIS via interfiling to get extended validity for the pending H4 EAD. USCIS does not ask you to send this new i94 explicitly to get an auto-EAD extension, but, we recommend it.

Interfiling is nothing but an informal process where you send the document to the USCIS service center with a cover letter that explains what you would like to do.

• USCIS does not send any receipt or acknowledgment for interfiled documents.
• There is no other formal process by USCIS to accept your new i94 unless they explicitly request it via an RFE (Request for Evidence).

Documents Required

You can write a simple cover letter by typing and including all your i765 details or use the app to generate one.

The app sends you the generated letter by email. You can then print it on A4 size white (or pink/green to highlight) and then attach the following documents in this order:

1. i94 Interfile Cover Letter (Keep it on TOP).
2. H4 most recent i94 copy (paper-based or downloaded from CBP site).
3. H1B i797 approval copy.
4. H4 EAD i765 receipt copy.
5. Current H4 EAD card’s front and back side copy (even if expired).
6. Current Passport Copy (pages with photo and address).
7. Expired Passport Copy (if this new i94 is attached to this old passport number).
8. Any one current address proof (like Driving License, utility bill, etc.)

Use a paper clip or a binder to tie all the documents. Do not use a stapler.

We strongly recommend sending your i94-interfile package either by UPS, FedEx, or USPS with tracking.

You should send it to the USCIS service center where your i765 EAD application is currently pending. This address is available on the i765 receipt notice.

How to Write an i94 Cover Letter

The language in the letter by App is tried and tested and has been devised based on real-life successful cases.

The benefit of using the app is that it validates all the data and avoids mistakes thereby increasing the chances of interfiling success.

#Step 1 – Enter i765 EAD Receipt Details

Visit the USCIS i94 interfile letter app.

Click the ‘Scan i-765 Receipt (Full Image)‘ button. You can enter the data manually as well if you do not want to scan your USCIS i765 EAD receipt.

Scanning helps fill the form automatically.

Click the ‘Scan & Fill Data‘ button to start scanning.

The app uses its AI algorithm to read the USCIS receipt you added. It will show what values were read correctly and what others could not be read reliably.

If the scanned values appear to be wrong, you can edit them manually in the form.

At this time, the app has automatically filled the form with the values it was able to read from the scanned document.

#Step 2 – Enter H4 Name & Birth Details

Your name and birth date would be pre-filled if it was found in the scanned USCIS receipt. If not, then you can enter or edit manually.

#Step 3 – Enter your A number

Again, if the A-number was read from your i765 receipt, it will appear here.

If you do not know your ‘A-number‘, then you can leave it blank here.

#Step 4 – USA Last Entry Status (i94)

This is the most important step where you provide your most recent i94 information.

• If you visited any of the US land borders, then you will have a paper i94 issued by CBP. This i94 will also be available online on the CBP website.
  • Both online and paper i94 details should match if it’s the most recent i94.
  • If paper i94 does not match the online CBP i94 but it is the most recent, then use paper i94 details here.
• If you traveled by air or sea outside the USA and then got the new i94, then download it from the CBP website.

#Step 5 – My Contact

We suggest entering the same address as you wrote on your EAD i765 application form.

If you have changed your address after filing the i765 application and then filled the AR-11 form to inform the USCIS, then use the new address here.

This should be a US mailing address.

#Step 6 – Sign & Place (Optional)

You can enter the signing date and place to be printed on the letter. If you do not fill it in the form, then you will need to write it by hand before sending it to the USCIS.

• Sign Date: Date today or any date in the future when you want to use this document.
• Sign Place: City or state name where you are present at the time of signing this interfile letter.

#Step 7 – Header & Footer (Optional)

This section is optional for individual users. If you are sending this letter by yourself, then we suggest leaving it blank.

It can be used by companies and/or Attorneys to print custom text on the letter header and footer.

Add Barcodes & Generate a Letter

The app also gives you the option of adding your i765 case number barcode and A number barcode to help USCIS easily scan your application.

The barcodes are printed in USCIS-acceptable format automatically by the app if you select the options.

Barcodes are printed on top of the letter to help USCIS mailroom personnel quickly locate your pending EAD file.

ReApply H4 EAD after Getting a New H4 i94?

A common question is “Do I need to Re-Apply for H4 EAD once we have got the new I94 at the border?”

The answer depends on the way H4 has been filed:

#1 H4 Extension & H4 EAD are pending

There is no need to re-apply for H4 EAD once you have got a new H4 i94 at the US land border or by way of traveling outside the US.

#2 H4 COS & H4 EAD are pending
If you filed an H4 change-of-status and H4 EAD, then we strongly recommend reapplying for H4 EAD and sending the i94 interfile letter.

Why send an i94 if reapplying for H4 EAD with a new H4 i94?

Sending the new i94 to be attached to your currently pending H4 EAD may help you save USCIS processing time.

If the USCIS officer uses it or may then ignore the H4 COS application denial. Note that H4 COS will be denied since getting a new i94 automatically abandons your pending Change of status application.

FAQ

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