Can I attend a certification program? Just finished my OPT, I am waiting for my adjustment of status (F-1 to spouse green card)

[sgk1234 0]

I applied for a marriage-based green card. My official OPT period just ended and before that I already received the notice for the extension of my employment authorization while processing my adjustment of status. I know that I am not allowed to take a certification program under OPT, but I am not sure if my employment authorization is related/under my OPT now. So, I am not sure if I can take a certification program under this new employment authorization.

 

Thank you so much!

[USS_Voyager 1,971]

16 minutes ago, sgk1234 said:

extension of my employment authorization

What exactly is that? Is that the STEM-OPT (26 months or 29 months or whatever it is now) or the EAD based on the marriage-based filing?

 

When you said "I applied for marriage-based green card", what forms did you apply exactly? The most common would be I-130/I-485/I-131/I-765. The reason I ask is there is a difference between employment authorization and authorized stay. So in your case, when your original OPT ended, that ended your authorized stay and your employment authorization. By filing the I-485, you're then back in a period of authorized stay while the I-485 is pending and yes, you are able to attend classes. That has nothing to do with employment authorization. Your I-765 has to be approved before you are able to participate in employment. 

[sgk1234 0]

1 minute ago, USS_Voyager said:

What exactly is that? Is that the STEM-OPT (26 months or 29 months or whatever it is now) or the EAD based on the marriage-based filing?

 

When you said "I applied for marriage-based green card", what forms did you apply exactly? The most common would be I-130/I-485/I-131/I-765. The reason I ask is there is a difference between employment authorization and authorized stay. So in your case, when your original OPT ended, that ended your authorized stay and your employment authorization. By filing the I-485, you're then back in a period of authorized stay while the I-485 is pending and yes, you are able to attend classes. That has nothing to do with employment authorization. Your I-765 has to be approved before you are able to participate in employment. 

Hi USS_Voyager, thank you so much for your respond!

 

The extension of the EAD is for the marriage-based filing.

I applied with all the forms  I-130, I-485, I-131, and I-765.

Once again, thank you

 

[USS_Voyager 1,971]

3 minutes ago, sgk1234 said:

Hi USS_Voyager, thank you so much for your respond!

 

The extension of the EAD is for the marriage-based filing.

I applied with all the forms  I-130, I-485, I-131, and I-765.

Once again, thank you

 

And you received the approval of the I-765? Then you're good, you can do anything. Next step is to prepare for the interview. 

[sgk1234 0]

12 minutes ago, USS_Voyager said:

And you received the approval of the I-765? Then you're good, you can do anything. Next step is to prepare for the interview. 

Oh, I have not received the approval for the new I-765. I just got the I-797C notice and it says that I have the 180 days of the automatic extensions. I just had my biometrics appointment last week.

[USS_Voyager 1,971]

 

39 minutes ago, sgk1234 said:

I just got the I-797C notice and it says that I have the 180 days of the automatic extensions

Not familiar with that. Can you post that notice?

 

[arken 4,197]

If your OPT is ended and have not filed for STEM extension, you are no longer in valid  F1 status. You are in pending AOS status that means you can do anything without worrying about already expired F1 status. Your AOS EAD is not related to OPT.

Edited May 29, 2019 by arken