Do I need to be a permanent resident before I can work?

[Schroeky 6]

Hello,

I am so sorry if this is in the wrong place.

I am currently working out how on earth to make my engagement to my American boyfriend work out. We have limited funds and only a short window in which to make the whole thing viable. So...my first of perhaps many questions...

Can I work before I am a permanent resident?

I am probably being stupid, but having seen that the permanent residency cost over $900 I had worked out (somehow! so much information) that I'd apply for that later and still be able to get a work permit?

Have I just gone into information overload and imagined this?

Thank you for any information.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

After you marry on a K-1, then you apply for Adjustment of Status to Permanent Resident (Greencard) which costs $1070. You can apply for a temporary work permit for free with that application. The purpose of the temporary work permit is to allow you to work while the Greencard is being processed (in case it takes a while). The temporary work permit will take around 3 months to process, so expect 3 months of not working after you apply.

You can apply to get a work permit on your K-1 visa. However, since it takes around 3 months to be processed, and it will expire when your I-94 expires (90 days) it is considered a waste of money, since it is basically useless.

If you want to minimize time not working, enter and marry straight away, and apply for your AOS immediately. If that still seems bad, you might consider marrying and applying for a spousal visa, which would authorize you to work on entry to the US. Good luck.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hello,

I am so sorry if this is in the wrong place.

I am currently working out how on earth to make my engagement to my American boyfriend work out. We have limited funds and only a short window in which to make the whole thing viable. So...my first of perhaps many questions...

Can I work before I am a permanent resident?

I am probably being stupid, but having seen that the permanent residency cost over $900 I had worked out (somehow! so much information) that I'd apply for that later and still be able to get a work permit?

Have I just gone into information overload and imagined this?

Thank you for any information.

Permanent residency is more than $1000.

You can apply for an EAD (work permit) at the same time and probably get it before the green card.

If that does not work out for you, get married now and file for a CR-1. It is cheaper and you can work immediately upon arrival. It takes longer to process though.