Please see my interview here. I am semi-approved pending FBI clearance.

I didn't apply for an EAD since my DO is relatively quick at issuing interviews, the extra money for it seemed like a waste.

The IO said an EAD will take about 60 days and that my wait for FBI clearance will be 3-4 months, I'm not sure how realistic either of those time frames are.

I'm just wondering if anyone has applied for an EAD after submitting AOS or after an interview and if I'll have to go for/pay for biometrics again.

Most EAD's are taking about 70 -90 days to get... so dont know if it is worth you filing for EAD...

Yes you would have to go for Biometrics for the EAD....

Good luck with whatever you deceide to do... hope your name check comes back soon......

Kezzie

Thanks Kezzie.

The Biometrics office is 4 hours away, since I'd have to go again that will be a big factor in my decision. Gas & lodging on top of the form fee makes it quite expensive and it might only be valid for a short period of time if the name check comes back when estimated.

Give it a week, you'll probably have your GC. I certainly wouldn't bother applying for EAD right now, it'll take 3 months and you'll most likely have your GC by then.

If nothing changes by Saturday, I'll be sending off the EAD form then.

My name check went in on June 1, that's 90 days ago. Based on my tracking of my DO dates for a year, I thought I made a smart decision (and money saving one) by not applying for it at the same time as AOS as my DO issues interviews relatively quickly, never in a million years did I think I'd be stuck in the black-hole.

At least with the EAD I can start working again, and it will take my mind off of the name check clearance.

Can I rephrase my previous comment?

I'm sure your GC will be approved as soon as you give up waiting and apply for the EAD.

That's exactly how we feel about it as well! But I'm making the hubby bonkers with my "what ifs" so we have to do it.

As a hubby myself, trust me, its worth the $180 not to be driven bonkers by your wife.

Canuck Carrie,

"semi-approved" is a status of your own invention. As far as the USCIS is concerned one is either pending or decided (approved or refused), and you're still pending. So you can apply for EA on that basis.

You will have to go to an ASC for a photo and fingerprint - they're needed to make the card - but there's no fee. (It's not the same biometrics as for AOS, the term is really inappropriate and misleading for EAD purposes.)

Yodrak