Whether an H-4 holder can obtain work authorization, and how

For H-4, this becomes possible once the H-1B holder is going through their green card process and files for EAD together — so until then, an H-4 holder can’t work. This is arguably the hardest case among visa families — H-1B holder families. Since work authorization is only allowed while the green card process is underway, they’re clearly in a more financially difficult situation compared to families of J visa holders, or L, R religious status holders.