H-4 and L-2 Dependent Application Bundling Set to Expire on January 18

On January 18, 2025, the bundling of H-4 and L-2 dependent I-539 change or extension of status and I-765 work authorization applications with principal I-129 petitions will expire. The Federal Court settlement that originally required the bundling of applications, expires on this date. This settlement has been beneficial to H-1B and L-1 family members, in that it has allowed all applications to be approved together, ensuring work authorization sooner, and reducing travel restrictions between family members.

After January 18, 2025, H-4 and L-2 dependents should be prepared for the return of delayed applications beyond the processing time of the principal H-1B or L-1 beneficiary, even if the principal beneficiary’s petition used Premium Processing service. Additional changes may also be put into place by the incoming Trump administration starting January 20, 2025. In the first Trump administration, additional in-person biometric screenings were required for dependents, which caused a larger gap in processing times between principal and dependents.