Questions about Process after Entry!!

[mm11 0]

Hi Everyone! I am new to this website but was just approved for my K-1 visa on Friday!! I have SO many questions about the process of things and what needs to be done AFTER I enter the U.S. Any and all help and advice would be appreciated!

1. The thing I am stressing most about entry is not being about to work for weeks to months! Is there any way around this?

2. The first thing I need to do when I get to the U.S. is apply for SSN, correct? I have heard about registering with selective services-- what is this? Is it important? AFTER I get my SSN, can I work?

3. Next, we are going to get married and then send in the AOS + EAD together -- I've heard this is the most time and cost efficient way to do so, is this correct? Is it correct that I HAVE to send it to the Chicago Lock Box, or can I send it somewhere closer to Arlington VA?

4. After doing this I just wait for my biometrics appointment to be sent to me? Correct? Is there anything else I need to do?

5. I'm from Canada, do I need to apply for a travel permit to come back up to Canada before I receive my Green Card?

Is there anything that I am missing? I feel like there is SO much to do, and everywhere I look there is different information.

What exactly do I need to be legally able to work? Do I really have to sit around and wait months for the EAD? Any estimated times of receiving this??

Thanks is advance for any help!

[TabeaK 516]

Sounds about right. To work, you need both SSN and EAD in hand. No way around that, sorry.

From AOS NOA-1 to EAD is supposed to be 90d max.

[Pitaya 2,576]

~Moved from K1 Process to Fam.-based AOS Forum~

~Inquiry about AOS-associated processes~

(mod hat off)

Welcome to the forum.

accessible at the top of the forum page. In particular, check out the K1 Flowchart: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

Here are some other useful links for you to review:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1aos

http://www.uscis.gov/i-485

Review some of the current threads in the AOS forum, there is information that may be useful to you.

Good luck on your immigration journey.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi Everyone! I am new to this website but was just approved for my K-1 visa on Friday!! I have SO many questions about the process of things and what needs to be done AFTER I enter the U.S. Any and all help and advice would be appreciated!

1. The thing I am stressing most about entry is not being about to work for weeks to months! Is there any way around this?

2. The first thing I need to do when I get to the U.S. is apply for SSN, correct? I have heard about registering with selective services-- what is this? Is it important? AFTER I get my SSN, can I work?

3. Next, we are going to get married and then send in the AOS + EAD together -- I've heard this is the most time and cost efficient way to do so, is this correct? Is it correct that I HAVE to send it to the Chicago Lock Box, or can I send it somewhere closer to Arlington VA?

4. After doing this I just wait for my biometrics appointment to be sent to me? Correct? Is there anything else I need to do?

5. I'm from Canada, do I need to apply for a travel permit to come back up to Canada before I receive my Green Card?

Is there anything that I am missing? I feel like there is SO much to do, and everywhere I look there is different information.

What exactly do I need to be legally able to work? Do I really have to sit around and wait months for the EAD? Any estimated times of receiving this??

Thanks is advance for any help!

Hi,

1. No way around this. You chose this by going with the K-1. You will need to get marry, file for AOS, and get the EAD before you can work. The EAD takes about 90 days after you file. You could have avoided this and work immediately by marrying in Canada and filing for a spousal immigration visa.

2. You can get a SSN with a K-1 visa. You need the EAD to work. A SSN alone does not authorize you to work. You sign up for Selective Service after you get your green card if you are a male 26 years old or younger.

3. Time and cost efficiency has nothing to do with this. This is the process if you want to live and work here. You send it to the address in the instructions. You don't get a choice where to file. Nothing in VA or close to it, Don't forget to apply for AP with the EAD.

4. Up to you. Driver's license.

5. Being Canadian is irrelevant. If you leave without AP while the AOS is processing, then you abandon the process and will not be allowed to return until you get a spousal immigrant visa which takes 6-12 months. Don't leave without AP.

To legally work - you need an EAD.

Yes, you do need to wait around for months for work authorization - the EAD. This is what you choose by going the K-1 route. Sitting around is up to you. Go exercise. It will take about 90 days after you file for it with the AOS.

Best of luck.

Edited March 31, 2015 by aaron2020

[baron555 934]

1. The thing I am stressing most about entry is not being about to work for weeks to months! Is there any way around this?

Nope

2. The first thing I need to do when I get to the U.S. is apply for SSN, correct?

Get married also but yes.

I have heard about registering with selective services-- what is this? Is it important?

That's registering for the military draft, of which they are not conducting.

AFTER I get my SSN, can I work?

NO, need at least the EAD or the GC.

3. Next, we are going to get married and then send in the AOS + EAD together -- I've heard this is the most time and cost efficient way to do so, is this correct?

Yes

Is it correct that I HAVE to send it to the Chicago Lock Box, or can I send it somewhere closer to Arlington VA?

The instructions say Chicago.

4. After doing this I just wait for my biometrics appointment to be sent to me? Correct? Is there anything else I need to do?

Nope, just wait.

5. I'm from Canada, do I need to apply for a travel permit to come back up to Canada before I receive my Green Card?

That's the AP....only needed to re-enter the US. If you don't have that or the GC, you may not be allowed back in.

Is there anything that I am missing? I feel like there is SO much to do, and everywhere I look there is different information.

What exactly do I need to be legally able to work? Do I really have to sit around and wait months for the EAD? Any estimated times of receiving this??

About 2-3 months after filing AOS.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Even though we no longer have the draft, the obligation still exists for LPRs and US citizens who are males age 18-25 to register for Selective Service. There are some real world consequences for failing to register . . . the big ones are not being eligible for college financial aid and US citizenship.

Edited March 31, 2015 by aaron2020

[Dashinka 23,234]

Just a little added advice. Apply for your SSN as soon as possible as you need at least two-three weeks validity on your I94 to do it. My wife did this a few days after we were married. However, this will not give you authorization to work immediately, but it is necessary to get a driver's license, bank account, etc. your other questions have been answered, so Good Luck! The wait is not that bad, my wife spent most of her time raising our new puppy and learning the area. The 90 days for the EAD flew by.

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

Just answered a similar topic the other day. See this post > http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/542660-k1-visa-aos/?p=7546742