So,
I have been looking for flights etc. because after the interview, I would like to fly into JFK so that I can get the EAD stamp.

Now, I have just read in another post that that is futile as Pearson is considered your POE, not JFK so .. no stamp.

Now, I know some of you must have flown out of Pearson, so I'm hoping someone has some insight for me... puhleeeze!

Mo

You will pre-clear immigration in Toronto and therefore it will be your POE and thus when you arrive in the US you will not go to the international arrival terminal.

i.e. no option of asking for a stamp!? *sigh*

One can always ask, and it doesnt hurt to try.

This may be obvious but the asking needs to be done in Toronto and not JFK or wherever the first physical US destination airport is.

thanks flames, thanks fwaguy - i'm very glad i opened my eyes to this before i bought the airline tickets!

hmmmm.. maybe I'll fly through Halifax - geez the thought of not working for even longer is killing me.

You can always fly to Mexico DF and then to JFK....

Toronto was mine, and I asked.

And what was the result Carrie ? Did they give you the stamp at Toronto or not ?

Or to London and then to JFK... If you're going to spend the extra money, you might as well really go for broke...

I posted this in another thread but I don't know if you'll see it:

There is one airline that doesn't require you to go through US Customs in Canada: WestJet. Everytime I flew WestJet to the States, my POE was always in the States--not the Canadian city I departed from. I don't know if they are still doing this or if it is only with particular cities/airports, and I don't know if they have flights to JFK... I was going to check but their website was taking forever to load.

Westjet only flies to a few select cities in the US... and as of now only a few cities in Florida, a few cities in California and Hawaii

Why can't a person fly into JFK from a point of entry airport and go to the international terminal and ask for the EAD stamp from them? Does anyone know of this having been tried and the consequences?

Not sure, but don't you need a boarding pass to get into the international terminal from any of the domestic terminals as you would when you first get to the airport? I seem to recall something like that and maybe that's why it can't easily be done.

Guess you could always ask upon arrival. But couldn't they just go get an INFOPASS and get the EAD at the local office? Shouldn't take that long to setup an appointment if all else fails...

All US departure flights, no matter what airline, go through the PFI on the second floor in Halifax, as far as I could tell when I went through it yesterday. They have a completely new section where all the US flights congregate, it's pretty nice.

No stamp.

My idea was flying from Ottawa to JFK then on to Wichita and then drive home rather than ottawa to Atlanta.

That way I believe I would be going through the International Terminal and it would be a second point of entry POE

Well, I’m not sure either, just putting out an idea.

I was thinking of just getting to the terminal and then seek assistance from that point and perhaps there would be a kind heart there that would act as an escort to the proper area and once there ask for the stamp. I know it wouldn’t be easy and negotiating skills would definitely come into play through out that process.

Asking doesn’t hurt unless you the cost to you is more than you need or want. I’m not sure if an INFOPASS would be available at the airport but if I were to stay in New York area it would be something to look into, but I doubt it would be fruitful meaning I don’t think they would issue the stamp.

Ottawa has a PFI... you wouldn't be going to the international termnal at JFK... Now that Halifax has a PFI, there isn't a major airport in Canada that does not have a PFI...

If you ask me it is no point getting the EAD stamp! Employers won't hire without a social security card. That means a one month wait for social security card(2 weeks until social security visit, 2 weeks in the mail). To find a job and start working will take a month. Therefore you will have one month of employment and then you will have to quit until the actual EAD is processed. It is something to think about!

I'm not sure I'm understanding the logic at the end here - how could you start working before you have EAD to begin with? In my case, I have a job prospect before I have even left Canada. I'm in a position that I will have to tell my employer I would love to work for you but I will not be available for 90 days until EAD is processed. Or are you saying just to take the chance and work without the EAD?

And you're eligible for EI once you get here... even better...

from my understanding unless you get the EAD stamp at the POE you have to wait to apply for one when you do the AOS, which might take a few months to get approval...

someone please correct me if I got that wrong...

If you receive a stamp at POE you can work but you need a social security card too! Most jobs require two forms of identification. In a US citizen's case, driver's license and social security card. K-1 status-EAD stamp and social security card.

Due to problems in US with illegal immigrants, I don't think anyone will hire without documents. So, I don't think you will get a job without the EAD and social security card!

You can technically apply for EAD when you enter on K1, but it will only last to the extent of your I94 (which is basically 90 days) - so the odds are that you will pay for an EAD which will only last for a couple of weeks if you are lucky. I've seen people do it because they didn't understand they had to wait until they filed AOS to get a longer EAD.

from my understanding unless you get the EAD stamp at the POE you have to wait to apply for one when you do the AOS, which might take a few months to get approval...

someone please correct me if I got that wrong...
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Marilyn you are correct! JFK is the only POE giving out stamps now. If you don't get to JFK then you must wait until filing the EAD with the AOS.

FYI, If you are from Canada you won't go through JFK! My love begged at Rainbow bridge for EAD stamp but it was no go! A new employee asked the supervisor because he was considering giving the stamp. The supervisor told him we completed affividit of support and he should not expect to work for months.

The only benefit I see of getting the 90-day EAD stamp is for applying for EI and receiving benefits quicker... assuming you apply for EI as soon as you get the stamp, and apply for the 1-year EAD at the same time, so that when the 90 days is over you get your 1-year EAD (1-year EAD takes approx. 90 days to process).

Or is this not possible to do?

If you *really* want it, why not go for a short vacation to a country that doesn't have pre-clearance first, then fly into JFK?

Does anyone know which countries do not have pre-clearance? I'm thinking Bermuda is close and sunny

Big problem here--most airports (not just in US) disallow passenger (or other) entry into customs from the WRONG direction (not funnelled in from incoming flight). You may remember a CBC reporter got in trouble for actually doing this in 1985 (to show SECURITY loopholes at Canuck airports--and proved "no good deed goes unpunished").

I see no reason why she could not fly to bermuda for a vacation and then on to JFK. The stasmp she gets there would be god for 90 days. If she got married right away and filed for the card she might haveit before to 90 days expires.

just let me ge this straight - you are saying that halifax now also does pre-inspection??? so the option of getting a stamp from jfk, if flying out of canada is no longer a possibility at all!?!?!?!!???????

i think i may have a hear attack. somebody catch me.

Yep.. that's what we're saying.... all major airports in Canada mow have pre-clearance centers...

Oh and Bermuda has one too BTW... and the Bahamas and Aruba... Pretty much every major airport in the Carribean has one...

Sorry to say that unless you want to go to Mexico or Europe (minus Ireland).. no JFK for you...

There has to be a Caribbean country where you could have a quick beach holiday and fly into JFK. Antigua?

Well, I guess I will continue to be a "kept woman" for a few more months, lol. Que sirrah sirrah.

Thanks again all.
Mo