marcodonaldson

EAD (and AP) is free when applying with or after AOS

If you hadn't got the SSN now you would have had to wait until you had your EAD in hand.

I realized that. When we submit the AOS paperwork we will also submit the EAD/AP too. She got her SSN a few weeks ago but it doesn't mean anything when it comes to being able to work apparently.

I came to read this post coz i have the same doubt. When i went to get my SSN the lady said i can work without EAD coz K1 visa holders are allowed to work therefore she can give me a SSN, just k3 visa holders cant without an EAD. I was not sure about this, so i called the USCIS who just told me no, u cant work after the tons of words they say so fast to validate ur question (i dont really like the customer service, u can tell) So i was like emmmm ok and now what???

So thx so much for this posts and all the answers, coz really it was helpful!!!!!!!

BTW i was already married when i went to get my SSN and the lady said no matter what, i have to first get my SSN in my maiden name which shows in the system, and then once i have that one get back with my marriage certificate to change my name. So as Scott & Annie said...DONT WAIT! is not really a point on waiting.

I know, this part has been so confusing for us! I was under the impression that once my wife got her SSN she can work. But apparently not. We are doing the AOS paperwork now and filling out the form for the EAD at the same time. No sense in submitting EAD now, paying, and then paying more when I send in the AOS paperwork too. Not to mention receiving a response for EAD can take months anyway. Uggghhhhh, so we have been wondering was there really a great benefit to getting the SSN right away???

EAD is needed for all K1 holders wanting to work. It's the law not just a technicality. It doesn't matter to USCIS whether it's a family business or how big it is. Your wife is not eligible to work and cannot be hired until she received either her EAD or GC.

She can volunteer. But as a volunteer without employment authorization, she cannot hold a position or do a job that would be otherwise paid. Or be paid later for a volunteering position she had while EAD/GC was pending.

Thank you! That's all I needed to know. I had a funny feeling that no matter what the government wouldn't be approving. They are strict, but there's no sense in messing up our journey when we've made it this far.

Thanks again...

The K-1 visa is null and void upon entering the US, and it does not grant permission to work anyway.

When you enter the US as a K-1 visa holder, you are a legal alien allowed to work, but the SSN alone does not grant you permission to work. You need to have the SSN and EAD. Those 2 things together make you eligible to work. Once you get your green card, the EAD is no longer needed or valid. You will only need the green card and SSN.

Yes, working without an employment authorization document is wrong and illegal.

Just out of curiosity, what if the employers are my parents? We have a family business (it's only my parents and I) and we'd like to 'hire' my wife. EAD is technically still needed? It's not like my wife is now going out and trying to apply for jobs with companies. Sorry if the questions may be 'out there'. But I'm trying to spare the boring details.

And thank you everybody for your responses. Don't know where I'd be in this process if it wasn't for VJ!

Hi everybody, I seem to be confused by the reasoning of applying for a SSN and then filing for the EAD. From what I understand as a K1 visa holder you are a legal alien allowed to work. Therefore, you have the ability to apply for a SSN. With that said, before somebody gets married they can technically work up until then? Now once a person gets married they have to apply for EAD. Or does the K1 visa / 'legal alien allowed to work' status expires once the visa does? If a person has been given pay (since they have a SSN) and hasn't applied for EAD, is that wrong?

I appreciate any clarification to this. Maybe I'm missing something or just reading too much into it.

Hi everybody,

These last couple months have been a whirlwind. My wife (then fiance) arrived by surprise a few days before Thanksgiving. We got married last Thursday at City Hall and had a nice weekend honeymoon. I believe her visa was set to expire February 18. Now, it was my understanding that we were required to be married within 90 days of her entry *check*. It's also my understanding that I don't need to file for AOS within 90 days of her entry. True or false? If false, is there a certain time limit I need to file for AOS? I've already gotten started with gathering the docs and filling them out but it would make life a little breathable if I didn't have to get this all completed by February 18. I know I will most certainly have other questions as I finish filling out the documents but at least I can get my timing straight.

Thanks in advance!

Ohhhh, perfect. Kinda getting me worried a little, haha! Thanks folks!

Hi everyone, my fiance had her interview this past Friday at the embassy in Manila. Simple and quick, she was there for about 3.5 hours I think. But she said after she got approved and finished what she needed to finish, she left the embassy empty handed. I know it will take about 2 weeks for her to receive her passport/visa but I heard there was also a packet she needed to receive. It's the packet she can't open until she arrives in the states. Did things change or will she be getting that later too? She said the embassy didn't give her anything at all.

Good luck to everybody who is still or is about to begin the process. Patience, patience, patience

For who have made it past this point, my fiance mentioned to me that the embassy did not give her anything when she left. I heard there was some infamous package she is supposed to receive and when she arrives here to the states the officials here open it up. Is that still true or will her visa suffice for the journey over? Any thoughts?

Thank you everybody! she's flying back to Aklan on Saturday. The embassy said she'll get her passport in about 2 weeks. Now I got to start looking for plane tickets! hopefully this year she can celebrate her first Thanksgiving!

Hi everyone! I just got a text message from my fiance saying she finished the interview process at the Embassy and her visa has been approved!!!!!

Filling my I-134 too. Didn't know what that extra line was for, haha. Thanks for the info!

Just responding so my thread doesn't get lost to the back of the line

Hi everyone, I've seen mixed answers browsing through previous posts on this and it's getting to be a little confusing So I will try to be as clear and concise as possible:

- I (the petitioner) have my father co-sponsoring myself and my fiance. We are each filling out the I-134. When my father fills out his I-134, what is the answer for the following:

Question 3: This affidavit is executed on behalf of the following person...

Question 11: I (intend/do not intend to make specific...) The example on VJ simply says "N/A (K1 visa process for permanent residence) and no box is checked.

- Aside from the I-134 application, do we also need to fill out the I-864? I heard that does not get filled out until after we marry and we apply for AOS. No matter what I will include a copy of my birth certificate with my I-134 and my father will do the same.

Thanks much for your help, currently scheduling the embassy interview and will mail out all copies of my paperwork to my fiance this week

Hi everyone...I'm trying to pay this embassy fee of $350 and the online bill pay is being a real pain. I can't figure out how to set it up. Would it be that much more easier and secure if my fiance just goes to a BPI branch and pays in person? If so, I'm going to have to wire some money...It is what it is...

Secondly, my father agreed to co-sponsor us. We only need to fill out the I-134 for myself and him, right? I read somewhere that an I-864 is also needed? Maybe I read it wrong...And when my father fills out the I-134, item #3 states 'This affidavit is executed on behalf of the following person:...' I'm assuming I'm the one they're talking to (sorry if it's a plainly obvious answer).

Anyway, things are moving soooo quickly now. From trying to pay the fees, scheduling, final paperwork, etc etc. But I'm not complaining =) It truly is an exciting time!

Take care everybody!

Thanks you guys! Emailing the embassy now and then going to email my fiance pdf's of the prep guide and the other applications she needs to fill out. One last question...I'm going to be sending copies of the original apps, continuing evidence of our relationship, affidavit of support/co-sponsor also, etc. etc...What's quickest service/most reliable to get my stack of papers there? LBC?

Hi everybody! I got a letter in the mail last week that NVC will be mailing our paperwork to Manila shortly. Manila will then send a packet to my fiance. My first question is will I be able to track the whereabouts of our paperwork anymore during this process? Secondly, when my fiance receives her packet will I be notified at all? Thirdly, I am assuming we can't schedule the interview until she receives the packet? And last but not least, the Philippines Embassy has a copy of the K1 interview preparation guide on their website (http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3238.html). Can my fiance go ahead and start filling out the necessary paperwork since it's already online? I'm assuming the prep guide online is what's being sent to her anyway, right?

Sorry for the ton of questions. At this stage I'm feeling more and more excited and can't help it anymore, hahaha. Thank you in advance for all your help!

Thanks everybody! I called my fiance yesterday and she was ecstatic! My parents were overjoyed and so were hers. It's quite a surreal feeling knowing that you're a step closer to being with the one you love quite dearly. It's true from what I've heard on VJ...Lots of patience and just be honest during the app process and things go smoothly.

Hi all, I just got a text message and email notifying me about my NOA2. USCIS website approved!!!! Oh wow, I'm so excited! I just wanted to thank everybody that's helped with their advice over the last few months. I know there's still much to do but I'm relieved this initial step is done. I'm calling my fiance in 30 minutes when she's on her lunch break!!!! Thank you!!!!

From the Philippines to U.S. my fiance sent her signed docs via dhl. It was about $30 and got to me within 10 days.

Hi VJ's members. Last July 29 my fiance got a RFE notice and planning to reply this coming Tuesday. my question is how many days before we will get our NOA2?

Hey smirky,

I logged on today to ask the same exact question, hahaha. I sent my RFE response and CSC received it on July 14, approximately 1 week before my deadline. And now I am patiently waiting. I've heard people get their NOA2 in a few days shortly thereafter or a couple weeks later. I know USCIS says within 60 days but I really hope that's not the case. Good luck to you!

Thanks everybody for all your help! Called USCIS and they confirmed that they need an original signature from my fiance She is currently working on sending it via LBC (and DHL I guess too) to me asap. I'll go ahead and prepare my photos writing in who is who, date taken & location. Everything else seems straight forward. Finally some movement!!!!

My fiance used DHL from Cotabato city to send me her documents and application pictures using DHL and it got to me in 5 days.

DHL is quick but way too expensive for her. My work schedule is also really hectic this week for me to find time to send her money. She'll use LBC to get it here. Still pricey but not nearly as much as DHL and it will still be here quickly.

Since she's from Aklan, I hope you guys went to Boracay and took a picture with the sand castle. That's what I sent them on my original packet since the sand castle had the current date on it!

No Boracay trip this go around though. My parents have a resort in near Tangalan so I only go to Boracay on few occasions. But I've seen the sand castles you are referring to

If you right click on the picture, then click properties, then click details you should see the time and date the picture was taken. Also some printer software has the option to print the time stamp automatically on the photo.

I looked into whether my printer software can do it, but no luck. I downloaded a program that can insert it for me. So it's good now. Thanks for the info though.