What to do while waiting on EAD?

[GJen 9]

I know that without the EAD, the beneficiary cannot legally work in the United States. What is acceptable for them to do during the wait? Enroll in college courses? Do an internship? Do some volunteer work?

I read when applying for a fiance visa, you shouldn't submit anything to which you refer to your fiance as "husband/wife" (even though we called each other that years before we got engaged) because it may hurt your case.

Does the same principle apply to the EAD? It is possible for the beneficiary to do an internship or volunteer somewhere or is that too closely associated with "work"?

Thanks,

Jen(USC)

[Amyyduck 20]

I've been thinking ahead about this concern as well, so if anyone has some insight it would be appreciated. So far all I've come up with is I'll probably enroll my fiance in a cooking class because he loves to cook and I love to eat his cooking! We might look into some volunteer opportunities as well. I kind of doubt that an actual internship would be acceptable but then again, I can't say that for certain.

Does anyone else have any suggestions or tales of their experiences waiting for EAD? Let us know!

[Dan J 277]

Internship at a private company has to be paid unless its part of an educational program. Without an EAD, you wont be able to do that.

But volunteering, taking classes or enrolling in college are all good options. You may pay higher rates at a public college unless you have resided in your state for a year or more. You also will not be able to qualify for aid or subsidized loans until you are at least a permanent resident.

[GJen 9]

Internship at a private company has to be paid unless its part of an educational program. Without an EAD, you wont be able to do that.

Interesting! I didn't know people got paid for internships. I thought internship was someone volunteering, but for a specific amount of time and with a strict schedule.

As far as volunteer work-- churches, habitat for humanity, that kind of thing?

It wouldn't be possible for the beneficiary to go to a privatized company and offer to volunteer there with no pay?

[katie & sifa 25]

My husband volunteered at a hospital while waiting (still does, actually, even though he's working now.) You can volunteer anywhere you want as long as you don't get paid for it.

Edit: I misunderstood the rest of your question. Corrected...I wouldn't worry about it in terms of volunteering at a company. The chances he'll be asked about it seem slim anyway, and if he is asked what he's been doing with his time he can answer truthfully and just say he's been volunteering.

Edited August 27, 2010 by katie & sifa

[rlogan 2,036]

I'd be doing value-added stuff to the property or making things. Building. I don't know what his skill set is and what your needs are so it's hard to say. I'd never run out of things to do personally. Buy cars and fix them up. Make furniture. Weld things. Hard to say what he can do without knowing more about him.

[Dakine10 5,452]

Believe it or not, you have to be careful even with volunteering without the EAD. Volunteering has always been a bit of a grey area with USCIS. Some visa type such as F and J are allowed to. Others, such as B's are not. Some, you'll get a different answer each time you ask. Sheela Murthy, the attorney from the well known immigration site Murthy.com advises not to do volunteer work when waiting for the EAD.

Years ago, I asked a NAFTA specialist about volunteering while I was working on a Tn visa. His reply was that strictly speaking, employment authorization is "work authorization". It has nothing to do with payment. Technically, if you could find someone who would just give you money for doing nothing, that would be fine from USCIS' viewpoint. Conversely, you should not be working without authorization, even if you do not get paid.

Personally I wouldn't volunteer at all before I had the EAD, but I would be especially concerned about volunteering to do something that is not normally considered volunteer work, ie. that someone normally would be paid for.

Edited August 27, 2010 by Dakine10

[Dan J 277]

Interesting! I didn't know people got paid for internships. I thought internship was someone volunteering, but for a specific amount of time and with a strict schedule.

As far as volunteer work-- churches, habitat for humanity, that kind of thing?

It wouldn't be possible for the beneficiary to go to a privatized company and offer to volunteer there with no pay?

If you are interning at a non-profit that's OK as its basically the same as volunteering. But a for profit company can only offer a unpaid internships if its part of an educational program and there is no promise of a position afterward. I'm sure it happens anyway as some people are desperate to break into an industry or company. But they cannot legally do so.

As far as volunteering find something you are passionate about. http://www.volunteermatch.org/ is a good place to start.

[littlecrazyangel 1]

I volunteered at the animal shelter because I love animals.

[Joan >3 Bob 20]

Eat lots of snacks and watch TV while lying on the couch.

[Dakine10 5,452]

Eat lots of snacks and watch TV while lying on the couch.

Exactly.

If the retirement age continues to increase, a lot of us will be working till the day we die.

Nothing wrong with relaxing and enjoying life for a couple of months while you can. Might not get another vacation for a while anyway.

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

Help around the house, do yard work, paint the kitchen, bathroom , any room. Change the door knobs, install flooring, winterize the place. Learn the area, study for your driving test, learn ALL of the driving rules for your ares.

Help out a neighbor, learn more about the state and country that you are now going to call HOME. Study the job listing and learn where the jobs maybe located. Learn the public transporation in case you may need to take it to get to that new job.

By the thing you have check off the list; your 3 mos will be up and the EAD card will be there.

[fozzie 41]

I take it they stopped doing the 'authorized for employment' stamp in your passport at the POE? I was fortunate enough to be able to work pretty much from the get go as soon as I had my SSN because I had the stamp in my passport. It was valid for 90 days and I had to stop for a couple of weeks due to a delay in the EAD.

Otherwise I agree, take a load off and enjoy 3 months of no work and of adjustuing to a new country. If the fiance's English needs some work enroll them in an ESL program, if not then a college class or two to help the time pass.

[marriedtomrg 141]

If he is planning to get a driver's license, I would also suggest he start reading the driver's manual in your state. I should have done that when we arrived, but I spent the first few months just trying to get used to the fact that we are home! lol My husband works for a school, so I signed up to volunteer in one of their adults with disabilities classes.

We looked into the possibility of me signing up for some college courses (was planning to shift into a culinary arts career at the time), but we would have had to pay full price for the courses...since I don't qualify for any financial aid.