Why bother with EAD and AP?

[kaospouse 5]

I already know the answer to this -- that you should never bank on getting a prompt interview -- but I'm wondering if it's worth all the trouble of applying for the EAD and AP? If you've got your ducks in a row and fill out the i-485 paperwork correctly, and if your application is processed in a timely manner, it seems that many people get Green Card approval within a few days/weeks of getting their EAD. Now, I also understand that getting a paycheck is of utmost importance to a lot of people, but if the wait between the EAD and GC is relatively brief, is it really worth the time and effort of filing for the former?

Any opinions?

[goro 0]

I already know the answer to this -- that you should never bank on getting a prompt interview -- but I'm wondering if it's worth all the trouble of applying for the EAD and AP? If you've got your ducks in a row and fill out the i-485 paperwork correctly, and if your application is processed in a timely manner, it seems that many people get Green Card approval within a few days/weeks of getting their EAD. Now, I also understand that getting a paycheck is of utmost importance to a lot of people, but if the wait between the EAD and GC is relatively brief, is it really worth the time and effort of filing for the former?

Any opinions?

"if your application is processed in a timely manner"

nobody knows if our application is processed in a timely manner.

Edited February 15, 2011 by goro

[slangofoil 50]

I already know the answer to this -- that you should never bank on getting a prompt interview -- but I'm wondering if it's worth all the trouble of applying for the EAD and AP? If you've got your ducks in a row and fill out the i-485 paperwork correctly, and if your application is processed in a timely manner, it seems that many people get Green Card approval within a few days/weeks of getting their EAD. Now, I also understand that getting a paycheck is of utmost importance to a lot of people, but if the wait between the EAD and GC is relatively brief, is it really worth the time and effort of filing for the former?

Any opinions?

There are a lot of "if"s in your post. "If" everything goes right, etc. My husband got his EAD over a month ago and we're still waiting on the GC. There are plenty of people who have to wait 6 months or more for the GC. So...yeah, it's worth it to apply for EAD and AP. It's free, and only a couple more forms to fill out. My hubs was going mental not working, so the EAD while we're still waiting for GC has been great. And he wants to take a trip home soon, so if the GC continues to take a while, he still can go with the AP. You just can't count on everything going smoothly and quickly when it comes to USCIS.

[Barbara J 115]

I already know the answer to this -- that you should never bank on getting a prompt interview -- but I'm wondering if it's worth all the trouble of applying for the EAD and AP? If you've got your ducks in a row and fill out the i-485 paperwork correctly, and if your application is processed in a timely manner, it seems that many people get Green Card approval within a few days/weeks of getting their EAD. Now, I also understand that getting a paycheck is of utmost importance to a lot of people, but if the wait between the EAD and GC is relatively brief, is it really worth the time and effort of filing for the former?

Any opinions?

Geese who told you that after receiving EAD and AP that the GC is approved within days or weeks. I received EAD and AP 2 months ago and still waiting for GC yes it is a benefit to apply for these as well. Nothing runs smoothly in this process trust me.

[YuAndDan 153]

EAD and AP are options, not filing wont speed up processing of I-485.

Beware if for some reason an emergency crops up, not having AP can be a pain.

In our case, when we did AOS just prior to July 2007 AOS AP EAD were all separate fees, so we opted to do just AOS for $290, our field office was showing 4 months at the time, we had approval in just under 4 months.

[Inky 1,110]

I did not file AP because I had no need for emergency travel and no travel plans after I got here.

I did not file EAD because we didn't need me to work right away.

It saved me some paperwork and photocopys and some stress, but only because I didn't need thos things (even tho they were free).

[britnick77 0]

lol... you answered it yourself "a paycheck". Many of us cannot afford to not work for 5+ months, let alone 30 days without a paycheck.

I did not bother do an AP, because I do not need to travel, though you may as well fill one out seeing as it is free and emergencies do occur. However the chances of an emergency occuring that I would have to travel overseas is pretty much Nil, so I saved myself the paperwork.

[Seb928s 2]

If it's important for you to work or travel I would fill it out. We filled out the EAD and not the AP she doesn't need to work so but we figured if she wanted to or needed to go to work she could. Been going to school for English since she got here last March so that's keeps her busy each day plus she is getting good at this English stuff Anyhow we are still waiting on the GC and we filed in June of 2010 and it was sent to CSC to speed up the process lol.

YuandDan did I read that write 290$ for AOS in July of 2007? Wow talk about rate increases.

[Messybrownhair 251]

If you aren't in a rush to work or travel then don't, but filing it together with AOS is free, so why not right?

In my case, we need the EAD sooo bad since I already have a job.. I want it more than the GC at this point lol. We are filing an expedite request but still we will file all the forms anyway, just in case

[nyteagirl 0]

Hi Messybrownhair,

I'm also an April filer and already sent out my packet. I also have a job offer on the line, so want my EAD more than GC at this point . How do you file for an expedite request? and do you know if we can expedite it after we sent all the info in? Thanks

AOS

04-18-2011: courthouse married

04-19-2011: mailed AOS packet overnite

04-20-2011: AOS packet received

04-25-2011:USCIS text and email

If you aren't in a rush to work or travel then don't, but filing it together with AOS is free, so why not right?

In my case, we need the EAD sooo bad since I already have a job.. I want it more than the GC at this point lol. We are filing an expedite request but still we will file all the forms anyway, just in case

[Messybrownhair 251]

we filed AOS three weeks ago with an expedite, and we are still waiting for the expedite to be granted. lol. we sent in his deployment order

[sweetiepie 0]

HI there again i just want to ask can i open account even i don't have a ssn?my husband gave me debit card but his name..how can we open a join account?

Thanks!

[sweetiepie 0]

HI there again i just want to ask can i open account even i don't have a ssn?my husband gave me debit card but his name..how can we open a join account?

Thanks!

[George & Gina 29]

HI there again i just want to ask can i open account even i don't have a ssn?my husband gave me debit card but his name..how can we open a join account?

Thanks!

Can you please fill in your timeline? Your profile says you're applying/petitioning for a K-1 visa, but you're referring to your husband. If you're in the US and married already, then you should get over to the SSA office and apply for your SSN as soon as possible. Otherwise, just wait until you're in the US and get your SSN if you're not already married.

George.