My wife and I are chasing the mailman down every day in hopes for her EAD. Her biometrics were way back on 3/27, but we've heard nothing. The case status hasn't changed online.

Unfortunately, we got caught in that trap of the 90 day EAD they give out at JFK (the one that will almost ALWAYS leave a gap in your work authorization). And unfortunately, she happened to find a great job during those 90 days where she had to start right away. So we gambled, and it looks like we're losing. Her 90 day EAD expires in a week, and so will our health insurance. We'll have to go around wearing helmets and pads everywhere we go.

In any case, are there others who have received their EAD in the mail even though their case status hasn't changed online? I don't know how accurate this online system is. My original I-129F still says it's pending online.

unfortunally the ead are erratic in times, some get it in one month some 90 some not even after the 90 days and get green card firs..........

you could still be lucky.........perhaps if not your wife could continue working and instead of being pay get that time as vacation days after??? it is just an idea for not losing the job...


good luck

Thanks for the reply. That brings about another question: Assuming we don't get the EAD in time, does anyone out there know what the options might be (legally) if there is going to be a gap of a few weeks in EAD? Can someone remain on payroll and just take some "vacation" time?

As far as "volunteering," since she is a chemo nurse, I doubt they'd let her be on-site administering chemo when she's not officially on the payroll.

My wife is bringing up the topic today with HR, but I wanted to see if there are any ideas out there or anyone who's experienced this gap.

I am coming up to the same situation myself. As for answers about what exactly you can and can't do in the gap I wish you luck in trying to find some straight answers.

I've been looking into this for a long time now and straight answers with evidence to back it up seem to be few and far between.

The concensus seems to be that working during this gap period is illegal. However, what you can actually do seems to be a little foggy.

I have read in places that volunteering for what would normally be a paid full time role is also considered to be a breach of the "rules", vacation is an unknown to me.

I have also read posts that advise people to just carry on working as it will be "forgiven" at AOS stage. (Yes, I know this is illegal before everyone corrects me). This is something people choose to do at their own risk as at the end of the day knows what any given immigration officer could do on any given day.

If you manage to get some real good answers on this with some evidence I would love for you to share it!!


Good luck with getting your EAD in time!!

Claudeth had her biometrics on October 18th and received the EAD on December 4th for a total of 75 days from when the USCIS received the petition until she received the card.