how to work and/or study when arriving on K1

[JoshandSarah 52]

With a K1 Visa am I better off getting a work permit with a I-765 once I arrive or just adjusting status? what is the quickest way to be able to go to college or work??

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

 

This is the disadvantage of the K-1, going to college or working quickly is not an option.  A K-1 is a non-immigrant visa so there are several limitations.  

 

After you marry and file for AOS, it can take 6-8 months for you to get an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).  Once you have your EAD, then you can legally work.

To go to college, you will need to contact the school.  They can tell you what status is required in order for you to enroll.  

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

The quickest way is to marry first and do a CR1 visa rather than a K1, that way you can study and work from day 1 of landing in the US. Is this an option?

[JoshandSarah 52]

we've already filed our K1 back on October 21st though =/ 

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

19 minutes ago, JoshandSarah said:

we've already filed our K1 back on October 21st though =/ 

Losing the cost of that vs possibly waiting 6 months to work after entering the US? I know what I’d do... assuming marriage is not a big logistical issue right now, which for some of course it might be.

[JoshandSarah 52]

I just got back from the U.S. and we are engaged but we didn't marry yet cause K1 was and is the idea is why

[Ontarkie 13,914]

~~Moved to Moving Here and YOur New Life, from Work Visas - the OP is looking ahead after arrival on a K1~~

[JoshandSarah 52]

I’m sorry, I’m confused? 

[Ontarkie 13,914]

You posted in the wrong forum. I moved it  

[Just Paul 4,591]

10 hours ago, JoshandSarah said:

With a K1 Visa am I better off getting a work permit with a I-765 once I arrive

If you apply for an EAD prior to getting married it would only be valid for 90 days from entry.   It is taking well over 90 days to process so that would be a waste of money.

10 hours ago, JoshandSarah said:

or just adjusting status?

This isn't a fast option either. You have to marry, get the marriage certificate, file for the green card (AOS) and EAD. Add all those time together and you are probably at 5 to 9 months.

10 hours ago, JoshandSarah said:

what is the quickest way to be able to go to college

Generally you will have to pay the higher "Out of State" tuition for the first year you are in country.

 

10 hours ago, JoshandSarah said:

or work??

You have picked the wrong visa if this is your intention(s).  And is New Zealand even processing K1s at this time?  If not there is a backlog at the NVC since March.

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

51 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

If you apply for an EAD prior to getting married it would only be valid for 90 days from entry.   It is taking well over 90 days to process so that would be a waste of money.

This isn't a fast option either. You have to marry, get the marriage certificate, file for the green card (AOS) and EAD. Add all those time together and you are probably at 5 to 9 months.

Generally you will have to pay the higher "Out of State" tuition for the first year you are in country.

 

You have picked the wrong visa if this is your intention(s).  And is New Zealand even processing K1s at this time?  If not there is a backlog at the NVC since March.

^^ all this is why it would make sense to me to swallow the lost cost of the k1 and marry and file CR1 instead, especially as k1 was only filed a few weeks ago and it’s not like months of waiting down the drain. We have so many K1s here who say “we should have filed CR1 instead”.... 

[Loren Y 2,731]

Most schools will let you enroll. When you arrive get your SS card first thing, and a state ID card. Then go to apply at your school using your state ID to show you are a resident of the state you live in. This will avoid the expensive non citizen or out of state resident tuition costs. Worked out for my wife who came on a K1. Working is as others have said 7-8 months from filing the I485.

[JFH 12,189]

Lately this question had been asked almost every day. It just shows how important research is before you choose the visa path that’s right for all of your circumstances, not just the one that’s right for the type of wedding you want. 
 

If you only filed the petition a month ago I would, in non-COVID times, chalk that filing fee and the month that has past as a loss, get married and start the CR-1. How easy it will be to get married right now is another matter. 

[JoshandSarah 52]

I understand what people here are saying however.... we are not married and won’t be able to until we meet again, we are not in the same country, I’ve researched this well, I just wondered the quickest way to be able to study or work with the visa we have already applied with. 
 

thanks 🙏 

[HispanicLover 42]

1 hour ago, JoshandSarah said:

I understand what people here are saying however.... we are not married and won’t be able to until we meet again, we are not in the same country, I’ve researched this well, I just wondered the quickest way to be able to study or work with the visa we have already applied with. 
 

thanks 🙏 

I understand what you are asking. Unfortunately, there is no quickest way. You submit your AOS/EAD and wait.