K1 Work Permit - I have SSN from earlier stay in US

[bluebulb 3]

HI,

I lived in the US for 9 years as a student (PhD) and then for an year on an OPT (Practical Training). After that expired I came back to my home country. I got engaged to my girlfriend in the US and applied for a K1. I got my K1 and am planning to come back to the US in a couple of months.

I hope to have a job lined up by the time I enter the US. My question is this - what is the fastest way for me to get an EAD after I come to the US? This what I "know" so far -

a. I can start a EAD application based on the K1 but it costs $340 and will take 90 days so it's kind of useless to go this route.

b. I can get married, apply for a green card and apply for an EAD along with the GC but that'll take 90 days too.

c. I can get a stamp at JFK which used to allow me to work right away. But I read somewhere that this isn't a valid option these day either.

Here are my questions -

1. Am I right on "c" above?

2. Since I already have a Social Security number from earlier, will I be able to start working using the K1 and the SSN before I get my EAD?

3. Are there any other way to speed up the process?

[rsn 135]

HI,

I lived in the US for 9 years as a student (PhD) and then for an year on an OPT (Practical Training). After that expired I came back to my home country. I got engaged to my girlfriend in the US and applied for a K1. I got my K1 and am planning to come back to the US in a couple of months.

I hope to have a job lined up by the time I enter the US. My question is this - what is the fastest way for me to get an EAD after I come to the US? This what I "know" so far -

a. I can start a EAD application based on the K1 but it costs $340 and will take 90 days so it's kind of useless to go this route.

b. I can get married, apply for a green card and apply for an EAD along with the GC but that'll take 90 days too.

c. I can get a stamp at JFK which used to allow me to work right away. But I read somewhere that this isn't a valid option these day either.

Here are my questions -

1. Am I right on "c" above?

2. Since I already have a Social Security number from earlier, will I be able to start working using the K1 and the SSN before I get my EAD?

3. Are there any other way to speed up the process?

'c' is not a valid option. You will not be able to legally work until you apply for and receive your EAD or GC. On the bright side, EADs show up relatively quickly (a couple months) after you apply for them. So, your best bet is to enter the US, get married, and file for your EAD concurrently with your AOS.

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

HI,

I lived in the US for 9 years as a student (PhD) and then for an year on an OPT (Practical Training). After that expired I came back to my home country. I got engaged to my girlfriend in the US and applied for a K1. I got my K1 and am planning to come back to the US in a couple of months.

I hope to have a job lined up by the time I enter the US. My question is this - what is the fastest way for me to get an EAD after I come to the US? This what I "know" so far -

a. I can start a EAD application based on the K1 but it costs $340 and will take 90 days so it's kind of useless to go this route.

b. I can get married, apply for a green card and apply for an EAD along with the GC but that'll take 90 days too.

c. I can get a stamp at JFK which used to allow me to work right away. But I read somewhere that this isn't a valid option these day either.

Here are my questions -

1. Am I right on "c" above?

2. Since I already have a Social Security number from earlier, will I be able to start working using the K1 and the SSN before I get my EAD?

3. Are there any other way to speed up the process?

1. You are correct on C above.

2. A above is useless and a waste of money

3. B above is the best route

4. having an SSN does not permit you to work, you need an EAD also.

Having the SSn will save you another trip to the SS office, and that ia all.

[bluebulb 3]

Hey guys. Thanks for your responses.