AOS / EAD Questions (K-1)

[J/G 85]

Dear VJ Users --

 

K-1 holder here. I arrived, married and filed AOS, EAD, & AP (9 Aug 2017) all was done within my 90 days period.

As of now I'm still (im)patiently waiting for any update & (please-dear-God) my approval of the AOS / EAD / AP. Here are my questions:

 

SITUATION: I monitored my Case Status at the USCIS website regularly -- partly out of fear that I might miss an update and partly out of anxiety -- and my cases' status hasn't changed since 21 August 2017. 

• QUESTION: When they approved your EAD will you receive an e-notification (text / email) or you'll see changes in your EAD status on the USCIS Website prior to receiving the physical EAD or will the EAD just magically appear in your mailbox??

 

SITUATION: I was going to apply for CA Driver's Licence and ID. Via phone conversation with DMV call center I was advised that I am eligible to apply for an AB-60 License. So I made the appointment with DMV for a written test. Upon arriving and registering, the lady at the DMV (btw. the first ever rude person I encountered since I arrived here) told me "You will wait for 6 months to 1 year for AB-60 and you're not eligible for CA ID card. But up to you, here's the form." I was going to ask more questions but she told me off by saying, "Sir, we have customers so please fill the form and go queue up on the red carpet line when you're done, NEXT PLEASE!!" And I thought, 'oh well, 6 months to 1 year, It could be 6 months for me and I'm already here anyway let's take a chance'. SO I fill in the form and I was told to wait to be called. Long story short, I was called to the counter and the gentleman who helped me asked me when do I think my Green Card will arrive, I told him 'I am not sure it could be in 1 month it could be in 2 months'. He advised me: NOT to apply for an AB-60 License now with my current status. He explained that without a Green Card / valid visa (my K-1 expired in August) my AB-60 application will have to go through the primary check / verification at the DMV Sacramento Office. And once the application is submitted, my local DMV will have no way to access / monitor the progress. My local DMV won't be able to withdraw the application even if I come with a Green Card and with that application in pending I won't be able to apply for a CA Driver's License. With that explanation, I decided not to proceed with my AB-60 Application. So I went home and wait.......

• QUESTION: IF my EAD is approved earlier than my AOS, can I apply for CA Driver's License with a valid EAD? 
• QUESTION: When EAD is approved I would have to go to Social Security Office to get a new SSN Card, one that will allow me to accept employment, am I correct?? Is this a long / complicated process?? My experience with SS Office has been wonderful. Quick and efficient. 
• QUESTION: with an EAD / Green Card do I need a California ID?

 

I seem to have forgotten the other questions I wanted to ask.... Oh well, when I popped in my head later I'll update this thread...

 

I hope someone can help me. 

 

THANK YOU in advance!!!

 

Best, 

J/G.

 

 

[doggieandsam 765]

i don't have answers to your questions but i cannot help myself - i would just like to add that so far in my experience with arriving here in the US on a K1 visa and dealing with public institutions (SS, banks), by far the DMV is also the worst in my opinion. staff are rude, condescending and overall an unhappy bunch.

[Suudsu 66]

20 minutes ago, J/G said:

QUESTION: When they approved your EAD will you receive an e-notification (text / email) or you'll see changes in your EAD status on the USCIS Website prior to receiving the physical EAD or will the EAD just magically appear in your mailbox??

The USCIS website should update (as the first thing you see). You will then receive two I-797 approval notices in separate mailings. Then the EAD/AP card in a third separate mailing.

 

22 minutes ago, J/G said:

QUESTION: IF my EAD is approved earlier than my AOS, can I apply for CA Driver's License with a valid EAD?

Based on CA wait times for Green Cards, your EAD will almost certainly be approved (long) before the AOS. You've probably got about 45-50 days to wait on the EAD/AP.

Yes. An EAD card is an acceptable "Birth Date and Legal Presence" document for the CA DMV.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/dl_info#BDLP

24 minutes ago, J/G said:

• QUESTION: When EAD is approved I would have to go to Social Security Office to get a new SSN Card, one that will allow me to accept employment, am I correct?? Is this a long / complicated process?? My experience with SS Office has been wonderful. Quick and efficient.

If you used the most recent I-765 form in your application, you could tick a box and have them forward your details to Social Security on your behalf. Otherwise, you'll have to go to the SSA.

https://www.uscis.gov/i-765

27 minutes ago, J/G said:

• QUESTION: with an EAD / Green Card do I need a California ID?

No, you do not need that. Those are almost intended for people who do not want (or are ineligible for) a driver's license. An example would include senior citizens who decide they no longer want to drive, but still need an identity card.

[J/G 85]

9 minutes ago, Suudsu said:

The USCIS website should update (as the first thing you see). You will then receive two I-797 approval notices in separate mailings. Then the EAD/AP card in a third separate mailing.

 

Based on CA wait times for Green Cards, your EAD will almost certainly be approved (long) before the AOS. You've probably got about 45-50 days to wait on the EAD/AP.

Yes. An EAD card is an acceptable "Birth Date and Legal Presence" document for the CA DMV.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/dl_info#BDLP

If you used the most recent I-765 form in your application, you could tick a box and have them forward your details to Social Security on your behalf. Otherwise, you'll have to go to the SSA.

https://www.uscis.gov/i-765

No, you do not need that. Those are almost intended for people who do not want (or are ineligible for) a driver's license. An example would include senior citizens who decide they no longer want to drive, but still need an identity card.

I'll have a glass of wine for lunch in your honour Kind Sir / Madam. 

 

THANK YOU!!!!!

[Mr Geminian 691]

By the way...am not from the state of California but from what I've read AB-60 is given to someone who is unable to submit satisfactory proof of legal presence in the United States. Your legal presence in the US is your I-94 and your I-797C (NOA1) from your AOS. This is also listed here...https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/dl_info#BDLP ....check under "Birth date verification and legal presence (BD/LP) requirements".  As per the state of Ohio all I need to submit is my I-797C, I-94, Passport details to get a 1 year valid Driving License. Check with them again. 

[Suudsu 66]

26 minutes ago, J/G said:

I'll have a glass of wine for lunch in your honour Kind Sir / Madam. 

 

THANK YOU!!!!!

Kembali!