A Reddit post from a physician has sparked widespread discussion in the immigration community for its complex timeline involving H1B, H4, and green card status transitions. The user, a practicing doctor in the U.S. since 2019 under an H-1B visa, described a confusing series of events involving his wife’s premature green card approval and multiple EADs (Employment Authorization Documents).
According to the post, the physician’s wife—also a doctor—applied for a Physician National Interest Waiver (PNIW) through her employer in January 2024. Although she had not completed the mandatory 5-year commitment required for PNIW, USCIS erroneously approved and issued her green card early. The couple returned the card to USCIS upon recognizing the mistake.
At the same time, she held H4 dependent status under her husband’s H1B and had an active EAD.
The situation became more complicated when the husband applied for his own PNIW in November 2024, having completed the full five-year requirement. His green card was approved and issued, and his wife was re-applied as a dependent under his adjustment of status.
While his status is now that of a permanent resident—rendering his H1B invalid—his wife’s application remains pending. The couple is concerned about the validity of her current EADs. One EAD was approved through her earlier, now-questionable green card application, and another is under review based on her dependency in the husband’s recent adjustment of status.
The user expressed confusion over whether she can continue to work while her status remains unclear, especially given the conflicting status of her earlier and current EADs.
Immigration experts on Reddit and elsewhere emphasize that situations like these highlight the importance of legal clarity and professional guidance in complex immigration timelines. Many advised consulting an immigration attorney to assess the impact of status changes on work authorization and ensure continuity of legal employment.