K1 visa and able to work and how the visa works

[Sam flores 0]

Asking for a friend, she’s on a k1 visa and she was told she couldn’t work, by one source, but after looking at her social security it says Volid for work with Dhs authorization only. Does anyone know information about this, has anyone came in on a k1 visa knows how it work? She’s under the impression that she cannot work for a year and leave the country or she will be banned, thanks for the advice..

[NikLR 13,220]

She won't be banned.

She cannot work without EAD which is work authorization. She should have applied for that with the AOS package.  It's free to do with the AOS.  She should not leave without Advance Parole (again applied with AOS package)  or else she won't be able to get back into the USA.  If she leaves without AP, the USCIS could decide she has abandoned her AOS and deny it. Then she needs to apply for the CR1 instead.

Please read the guides!

 

~~moved to working and travelling during immigration from K1 process and procedures~~

[Unlockable 7,306]

That is correct.  She can NOT work until she has authorization. And it will be months before she gets that authorization. Yes, we know about not being able to work on the K1. That is why most people here agree that the K1 visa sucks.

 

-Just so you know, a social security card is NOT authorization to work.

-The SS card says "Valid for Work with DHS Authorization Only". That means that she needs DHS authorization for her to work. She needs an EAD to start working.

-She can NOT leave the US until she has authorization (another reason why the K1 sucks) to travel (AP). And that too will take months. If she leaves, she will have abandoned her K1 and will not be let back into the US.

-She has to get married. Then she can file for adjustment of status (AOS). That is when she can apply for EAD/AP.

 

All of this should have been researched before she got here. Best she can do now is learn the proper steps moving forward so she won't make any mistakes that would jeopardize her status.

 

[Just Paul 4,591]

Tell your friend to join here.  She won't be able to work without a EAD or green card or travel without AP or green card.

[SalishSea 16,826]

17 minutes ago, Sam flores said:

Asking for a friend, she’s on a k1 visa and she was told she couldn’t work, by one source, but after looking at her social security it says Volid for work with Dhs authorization only. Does anyone know information about this, has anyone came in on a k1 visa knows how it work? She’s under the impression that she cannot work for a year and leave the country or she will be banned, thanks for the advice..

Did she not research this visa even a tiny bit before coming here?  Boggles the mind.

[JFH 12,189]

48 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

Did she not research this visa even a tiny bit before coming here?  Boggles the mind.

I was going to say the same thing. Immigrating is a huge thing. It takes months and months, costs thousands of dollars, changes your life forever. You’d think people would do a bit of research first. I’m sure some people spend longer choosing what outfit to wear for the embassy interview than they do choosing the right visa path. 

[Dashinka 23,306]

1 hour ago, Unlockable said:

That is correct.  She can NOT work until she has authorization. And it will be months before she gets that authorization. Yes, we know about not being able to work on the K1. That is why most people here agree that the K1 visa sucks.

 

-Just so you know, a social security card is NOT authorization to work.

-The SS card says "Valid for Work with DHS Authorization Only". That means that she needs DHS authorization for her to work. She needs an EAD to start working.

-She can NOT leave the US until she has authorization (another reason why the K1 sucks) to travel (AP). And that too will take months. If she leaves, she will have abandoned her K1 and will not be let back into the US.

-She has to get married. Then she can file for adjustment of status (AOS). That is when she can apply for EAD/AP.

 

All of this should have been researched before she got here. Best she can do now is learn the proper steps moving forward so she won't make any mistakes that would jeopardize her status.

 

Just to clarify slightly, she can leave the US, she just cannot return easily.

[implife 318]

16 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

Did she not research this visa even a tiny bit before coming here?  Boggles the mind.

What puzzles me is that this K1 friend is not asking her spouse for guidance. Her spouse is responsible for her until she receives her PR. 

[Marieke H 2,324]

Please have your friend create an account here. There's so much information on here that would be very helpful for her.

[JFH 12,189]

44 minutes ago, implife said:

What puzzles me is that this K1 friend is not asking her spouse for guidance. Her spouse is responsible for her until she receives her PR. 

Often we find that those “posting for a friend” are posting for themselves.