Just thought of updating the thread. We got H4-EAD approved. I tried H4 EAD with a future date strategy under premium processing for no employment break for my wife. Was on L1B with H1B CP approved, my wife was on L2-EAD, we applied (L1B CP -- H1B amendment) + (L2 -- H4) + (H4 EAD) with premium processing for H1B cos all concurrently in one package. We got all three approved (h1b cos, h4 cos, h4 ead) in 8 days (online status). Physical card recieving may take couple of more days I think. Anyone trying to change from h1b -- h4 ead or f1 ead -- h4 ead or l2 -- h4 ead i think can try this strategy to avoid any employment break. If you do in PP then good chance that EAD also get's approved within 15 days. If PP is not possible as spouse has no h1b extension or amendment then also if you guys have sufficient time you should apply h4 cos and h4 ead concurrently with h4 effective date as the last day your current status is valid to as early as possible. Thanks to Danielle Rizzo, she was right. USCIS may do process all the 3 applications in one package at same time as courtesy (not guaranteed but courtesy). If one has sufficient time then future date strategy will ensure that there is sufficient time for uscis to adjudicate.