Okay...I did the whole fiancee visa thing with help from this site. Dan has his social security card and number now. I have to admit now that I am stumped. I've read the guides on the AOS and have some questions. So here goes. Dan was told at the social security office that he is allowed to work. They showed us his form from The Department of Homeland Security and it said he was authorized for employment. We saw this with our own four eyes. His social security card says something along the lines of able to work with authorization. Soooo does this mean he can work now? I get the whole AOS part, but am having a hard time with the EAD part of this. It says it's optional. What does that mean? Doesn't he have to have an EAD after the original 90 days is up? How much is this? Someone just clue a dumb chica in and tell me what I need to do!!!!!!!

K-1 is considered "Work Authorized" for the 90 days of the I-94, after that they need EAD or green-card to continue working.

SSA does not give authorization DHS gives the authorization, this is why SSA places the "Valid with DHS work auth only" on the card.

EAD is optional if you don't plan on working while waiting for green-card. You can always apply for EAD after applying for AOS, if green-card is looking like it will be some time and you do want to work.

Yes, after the first 90 days in the USA, he requires an EAD to work. For the first 90 days in the USA, it depends one whether he got an EAD stamp on his passport at the border/airport.

Actually, they need an EAD to work the first 90 days aswell. They can't just come over and work with just the K-1 visa only. The only POE that issues the temporary EAD at the moment to K-1 visa holders is JFK.

The OP is from Canada and certain border crossing also issue the EAD stamp, mags.

Ah, didn't know that. Thanks for verifying it for the OP, Dr LHA.

and Houston at times!