Hello. I was reading the guidelines on filing for AOS and I read a part where it says that some offices may allow you to submit your EAD application locally with the NOA from the
I-485. So in other words, its not necessary to submit the I-765 (EAD) with the AOS package. One just has to wait for the NOA from the AOS package and bring it with the completed I-765 to your local office. And therefore you can get your EAD processed faster. Has anyone tried this specifically in New York City? Does this really work, or is it better just to send off both things together in the AOS package. Thanks

Local offices stopped issuing EAD back in Sept 2006... they must all now be mailed to Chicago with AOS or you can E-File after you have recieved your NOA1 for your AOS....

Kez

Kez, just to make sure I understood, so you mean I can E-file the EAD application separately, instead of going to a local office (since they stopped issuing EADs). Can my fiancee get her EAD faster this way, instead of sending it all together in the AOS package? Has anyone tried this?

Usually the EAD will be issued quicker than the AOS. I think it's because they want aliens to be working rather than applying for some type of welfare. But it is probably just an easier form to complete. Just about everything is sent to the Chicago Lock Box now. They have been doing so much restructuring of the USCIS lately that it is hard to keep up with what is needed or available.

I would suggest that you send everything in at one time. I don't think e-filing it will get the EAD any faster.

just my 2 cents.

I never knew that there was more than one way to file the EAD.... I learn something new everyday.

There is no evidence to say that e-filing the EAD is any quicker for the initial application... as it is still dependent on your AOS paper being in order (no RFE's) it may be a quicker route for anyone filing for a second time to renew the EAD...

If it was me I would be mailing all the forms together... that way you know they have started out together and not in two diffrent departments waiting to be found...

Good Luck

Kez

Your EAD will be dependent on an AOS being on file. If you e-file the EAD it may arrive prior to the AOS application which will be mailed. It may result in the EAD being based on the soon to expire K-1 which would be out of status before it could be approved, necessitating a 2nd application based on the AOS, or the EAD would be denied and you would have to refile for one based on the AOS. In both cases you would be out the fee for the first EAD and it would delay the processing for the actual valid EAD. It is best for the initial filing to include the AOS, the EAD and the AP applications all in the same envelope but treated as three separate packages within the envelope with three separate cheques (plus the biometrics cheque) as they will be separated and sent to different locations for processing. You can e-file for a renewal EAD if it is required.