Sasha has worked in the US twice before. And she'd really like to be allowed to work as soon as she wishes. I've read in other threads in the past about JFK being the best place for this chance. But I'm just curious if anyone has any recent experience with this. She even has a SSN already. So working would be a piece of cake for her as long as she can obtain this stamp on her visa. Her English is perfect, not that it really matters. But if she requests this, will it be an advantage at all that she sounds nearly American? Maybe that's a dumb thought, but I'm just wondering if they are selective about it or not. Anyway thanks!

In the research I did on the forums about it, it seems like you ask, they give. The last one I saw that got it was back in August and their review made it sound like it was no big deal. I would think that if there was a "decision" process made by the guys with the stamps that they would look very favorably on perfect english, not the other way around.

I was considering comming back thru JFK (I usually go thru Atlanta) just for the stamp, but my research turned up one problem. Many employers in this hightened age of illegal immigration do not understand that a valid visa, I-94, and 551 stamp allow the person to work for the validity period of their visa. Since they dont understand it, they tend to not hire those people because they dont want to risk the penalty of hiring an illegal, even though your and my fiancees are far from illegal. Based on that, she probably has a much smaller chance of finding work, even with the stamp. After AOS, it is a moot point because everyone understands the green card. There is a chance that she can find work, considering where you live, and the fact that I would think you see more immigrants in your area, and there may be better understanding of the system.

Another thing is that if she does get a job, she may have to quit when her visa expires, as I am not sure if you can get an extension on the 551 stamp while waiting for the green card. Which, as you know, with the current service levels at VSC could take a while to get, and she would be working illegally after the time period on the stamp ran out (without an extension, if possible), even if you applied for AOS but were still waiting on the green card.

But if you are going thru JFK anyway, why not get it. It certainly wont hurt, and as I said before, I think it is an ask/receive thing. I am still wrestling with the idea myself, and these are just my thoughts on it, so take them with a grain of salt

Thanks for the info Robert. Yes, she will come through JFK. Yes, we live in an area with thousands of immigrant workers. We will Adjust Status almost immediately, so there's no worry of her temp EAD expiring. Also, she has worked here before and it would be no problem to work for the same company again. She may also telecommute, working online for Sony (which is who she works for now in Moscow). She has many options. Finding jobs in Williamsburg is a very easy task. Thanks again.

I need to move to Williamsburg!


(Spot-on post above, Bobalouie. That's exactly how my wife's temp-EAD experience went.)

I think you are the one who told me all that in one of my EAD posts about a month ago So I am really just quoting you

Then that's probably why I was reading it like "Man, this guy's sure got a handle on how it worked for us!"

Jason, VJ timelines show that the average wait for EAD after filing for AOS is somewhere around 80 days. Even if you marry immediately upon arrival and file AOS the next day, you'll still face a certain risk of gap between the two work permits, which makes it difficult to apply to serious companies.

I'm facing this very predicament now with this stupid EAD stamp I received at JFK. I made sure to inquire with the POE officer if the permit would expire together with my I-94. He said NO, as long as I marry within 90 days my temp. EAD will be valid until I adjust status. So I applied for SSN and joyfully launched my resume to Monster.com and the likes.

Now I'm reading up on the subject and realizing that the POE bonehead has given me incorrect information and my work permit IS going to expire before I have a chance to get the 1-year EAD. A few interesting companies have already called to schedule interviews - I guess I gotta cancel them all. Bummer. I really don't understand this policy of stamping work permits at POEs, considering how little chance there is of continuity between EADs. It would make much more sense to allow the stamp to act as temp permit for the entire "status pending" interval. Especially as filing for EAD together with AOS is free anyway.

I had my temporary EAD stamped at JFK on October 22 and it expires on January 20th. I am still waiting for my 1-yr EAD. It is possible, but you guys should marry immediately and send AOS package ASAP to get the EAD by the time the other permit expires. In addition, I would like you to read I-9 instructions. It is a Department of Homeland Security document that verifies the employment authorization. You might find it fairly interesting.
To be honest, I would advise you to have the civil marriage like immediately upon arrival and the wedding ceremony anytime after that. That way, you'd have a chance to avoid the gap between the two permits mentioned above.

I have a lawyer friend, who is Russian, and she has brought much of her family here. She gave me this SSA link which in essence states, you can enter anywhere on the K-1 and you don't need the stamp. Here's the link: Read Section C, paragraph 1.


https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203500

This is very interesting. I'm not sure I fully grasp what its telling me, however. Getting my head around this on a Monday morning is a little tough right now. Anyhow, I hope we get some more feedback from other members. Let's see what others have to say about this. It sounds like they are saying nearly all visas are eligible for work authorization. But that makes no sense. On Sasha's Social Security Card, it states that she needs work authorization along with the card. Its from when she was here on a work visa. I'm assuming they will not give her a different SSN. I think once you've been issued one in the past, its yours for life. Make sense? So, why give EAD stamps at the airport if this SSA website is accurate?

There are many here that read and interpret exactly the same, but anecdotal evidence of what actually occurs in the real world would indicate something different...

I work at a university and deal with SS cards for visiting internationals all the time. When she gets here you simply go to your local SS office and apply to have the work auth. statement taken off her card. Of course, bring her K-1 visa along. Its a no brainer.

Will certainly do this. But i think we'll still ask for the stamp from JFK, just to be safe. Thanks for the info.

Let's be certain not to confuse the discussion on the acquisition of a SSN card versus the ability to work.... this is where the differences in application of law/theory/opinion differ....

That's what we did. We went and did the civil marriage the day after entry

I waited 2 weeks to turn in the paperwork bc he didn't give me much warning on showing up (3 days) and I wasn't able to take more than 1 day off of work to get married Took me awhile to get him settled and do the paperwork, but I'm glad it did bc the day I was ready to send it in he got his SS card and I was able to put that number on his AOS packet.

There might be some time inbetween the two work permits, but if you are really stir crazy and want to contribute at least a little, go through JFK (hubby got it without even asking) and take a bs local or basic job just to pass the time ...

You can't guarantee avoiding the gap in work authorization. We were able to avoid it, but we got married a week after he got here and we were lucky. Let any company you work for or apply to know that you might have to quit working for awhile due to the gap in work authorization.

And if someone claims that you don't need a stamp, don't listen to them. We've debated it many times before.

Stamp is only valid for a period of time between her arrival and wedding, am I correct ?

SSN means only this much that she will not have to wait a week or two after she receives work authorization. Without that nothing, nothing, nothing. I wanted to sell Mary Kay and this is not the kind of employment you would think one needs authorisation for - also not allowed. But EAD takes sometimes only a few weeks, if you are lucky - I am also in Virginia and I NEVER got mine, I had nothing after 90 days and I went to the local congressman that only tells people "yes, I am here to help" but in reality does nothing. Finally, before I got together to go back to him, my green card arrived (about day 100).

I can tell you what I would do differently today. I would start applying for jobs right away. This is what I did with one application because I wanted this job so bad. I applied early December full of fear what if they call me tomorrow and I am actually not authorized (I avoided that question on application form purposely, hoping they would not pay much attention to it). I was invited to an interview IN MARCH !!!!!!!!!!!

Finding a job took me actually longer than obtaining work permit.

Where do you live Jason ? I am in Harrisonburg, VA and we have a huge Russian community here and also a Russian grocery store

Ana

Corrections noted above.