1 minute ago, NorthByNorthwest said:

Ah, I didn't know that - I didn't need any of that to get a driver's license in WA - passport, K-1 visa, foreign driver's license, social security number card and electronic I-94 was enough for me. I switched from a Japanese license as well, so I didn't need to do any of the tests.

 

I know other states have different rules though...

I had applied for the learners permit in IL and I got it but it expired with the expiry of my I-94. They said they need a valid immigration document that shows legal status.

Just now, NorthByNorthwest said:

Like they say on the site - the new cards have updated security features so they are more difficult to forge.

Yeah.. well.. Anyways.. If they issue me an old card that would be sufficient for me to get a drivers license but if they send a new one then I would have to bring another document to the DMV for proof of signature

Did anyone happen to have received the newly designed secure EAD card or Green card ? USCIS had posted a news that they will issue new cards from may 1st, 2017 (after their old stocks are finished) and these cards will no longer bear the applicant's signature. I wonder why they did this though

Just now, TL2016 said:

It doesn't matter if your interview is already scheduled or not. But chances are that they won't bother with yout EAD if your AOS interview is coming up so soon. If you get approved on the spot, they'll deny your EAD anyway based on other benefits granted (in your case, your green card). 

Thats what I was thinking and this was the basis of my question: they normally close EAD application saying "benefit received by other means" once they approve the green card. But I hope it doesnt mean that they wont approve the EAD "until" they approve my green card (which may still take a few weeks after the AOS interview) and put even more delay in my work authorization. I just dont wanna wait for so long. Already broke without job. I see so many february filers here getting their EAD cards already.

Hi everyone !

My AP and AOS got accepted on january 9 at chicago lockbox but EAD got rejected because of missing signature, and I had to refile it and then it got accepted on february 6th. I have received the AP document and my AOS interview has been scheduled for May 18th but for the EAD its been over 90 days and there's no update.

Am I correct in concluding that only those filers are getting approved whose AOS interview has not yet scheduled ? Or is there anyone who has experienced otherwise ?

7 minutes ago, allyrose said:

No sorry, we did not take pictures at the wedding. We do not have wedding rings. There was no ceremony, no family attended. We went to city hall and got married and we will do the real ceremony when we have the money to do so. We don't even have money for a car right now because of student loan payments. I have had to pay for almost everything while we waited for the EAD. So you can see why we are panicking. All we have now is licenses with the same address, and he is an authorized user on my credit card. We are going to make a joint checking account together, but aren't sure if this is enough, since we don't have a lease or any insurance together. 

How have you been paying your credit card on which you authorized your husband ? If you work and have a checking account in which your salary gets deposited, and with which you pay your credit card, then add your husband as a joint account owner in that account instead of opening a new one with no activity. Even if you plan your finances differently, do this for now and then you may change your checking/saving/joint/separate plans a few weeks later.

6 minutes ago, allyrose said:

No sorry, we did not take pictures at the wedding. We do not have wedding rings. There was no ceremony, no family attended. We went to city hall and got married and we will do the real ceremony when we have the money to do so. We don't even have money for a car right now because of student loan payments. I have had to pay for almost everything while we waited for the EAD. So you can see why we are panicking. All we have now is licenses with the same address, and he is an authorized user on my credit card. We are going to make a joint checking account together, but aren't sure if this is enough, since we don't have a lease or any insurance together. 

And did you file a joint tax return ?

1 minute ago, allyrose said:

We have no wedding pictures, because we couldn't afford one, so we went to city hall and got the certificate. We have tons of pictures, but I don't want to change my name until we have the real ceremony later on. 

Well smartphone pictures would also be fine. I dont have a professional type wedding album too at this time but I just got few photos printed from walgreens app in my phone and I'm gonna take them with me. You may also present your wedding rings (even wear them when you go) and tell them that you both exchanged these rings on wedding day. You may also take receipts (if you kept them safe) of the gifts that you bought for each other. If you are on the same phone plan then use that as a proof of married life. Take your joint tax filing documents to the interview too.

2 hours ago, allyrose said:

Hi everyone. We have no update on AOS yet, but are wondering what documentation we need for the interview? We can't afford to buy a car right now, and we live with my mom to save money so we have no lease agreement. I am

not sure about a joint checking account, maybe we can just authorize each other to use each other's accounts? My husband doesn't really have much money since he only just got his EAD last week. Can we use our lisences with the same address are proof? I can authorize him on my credit cards if that helps. We're just still trying to get our stuff together since we can't be finanically independent until he can start working and we can save money to move out. Any help would be appreciated thanks  But we are a real couple and are happily married. 

Your scene is similar to mine then. My wife got me added as an 'Authorized User' on her credit card so I got a credit card in my name with the same account number. We also opened a joint checking account which you may also do and put however much money you guys want in that account. You may wanna take your wedding pictures and pictures in general that show a long time span of your togetherness (especially with other family members like your parents and his parents). People also write on forums that when they show pictures to the IO he/she would be more interested in those which have other family members or those with different backgrounds, parks, places etc and they would keep a copy of those few pics. Take your joint account checkbook thats shows both of your names and same address to the interview. You may also present both of your drivers licenses as one of the proofs of your marriage and tell them that you live together. If you changed your name after marriage, that may also be presented as a proof of bonafide relation.

 

Hi everyone. My husband's EAD came in the mail today!! Yay! It is only good for one year though, and since it took 3 months to get, does this mean we need to apply for a new one around 3 months before this one expires? Also, when he finally gets a green card, he will still need the EAD card right? I guess I'm just trying to understand what happens next, because renewing the EAD every year will be a pain. Thanks! 

"You do not need to apply for an EAD if you are a lawful permanent resident. Your Green Card (Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card) is evidence of your employment authorization."

Source: https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/employment-authorization-document

 

 

I've had my first interview and they told me that theyre going to call or email me if they already have the decision because there are still candidates that need to be test for a couple of weeks more. On my side i didnt tell them about the work permit yet as they never asked me about it. I still need to wait if theyve already raised a decision.

Is there any chance for a second interview too for anyone ? The headline in my notice says "Request for applicant to appear for initial interview" does this mean they may also call for another interview at a later time ?

 

Dude you correctly write that "Everyone's situation is different" so when you go and say:

" With a waiver you gotta wait for atleast 6 more months as compared to the applications with an AOS interview. "

you are making an incorrect statement, because it's definitive. If you said "likely have to wait" instead of just "at least" that would be a different story (although still not 100% accurate IMO).

 

I am not trying to offend in any way, because I know you and I are both here to help and be helped. I'm only bringing this up because a lot of people use information from this forum to make short-term arrangements and when anyone makes such definitive statement about such topics, it is not helpful.

Well thanks for the correction, I got what you're trying to say. I actually meant the likeliness of having to wait. My apologies.

Meanwhile, I wanna share this link just for some added piece of information:

http://www.mrspresson.com/2014/01/17/sooooo-got-notice-potential-interview-waiver-case-mail-today/

 

I have my job interview tom but EAD/AP haven't approved yet. 

 

 

Do you mind sharing your interview experience ? It may be helpful for other prospective interview applicants. Like me.

You may send a query to the department of homeland security website and also contact USCIS customer service to know what you may do if someone's discriminating on the basis of your immigration status and charging you high interest. When my time comes and some car dealer says this stupid thing to me I'm gonna go to every level to find out if he has any right to charge me more interest because of the EAD.

I honestly think that the car dealer should need your photo identity and social security card and not question your immigration status. And yes the interest may be high in the start because of limited credit history because new residents face some trouble getting approved for a credit card as no lender knows how you handle credit. And within a year or two you may have a fine credit history IF you manage to get approved for a low limit credit card and use it responsibily (or may be even get a secured credit card). When your credit history and credit score are within the good and excellent range you would be paying much much less interest than others who dont have a high credit score and lengthy credit history. So interest depends on the credit history but not on immigration status.

You wouldnt be a permanent resident unless you get your green card but with the EAD you will definitely get a legal immigration status and you would be called "an alien authorized to work".

But why would the car dealer ask for your legal status ? And why would they charge you more interest ? There is literally no difference in the rights of a work authorized alien (EAD Holder) and a resident alien (Green Card holder) except that with the green card one may travel internationally and come back to america very easily. The expiry of green card is also longer but its doesnt matter coz EAD can be renewed. The EAD just covers up the time while your green card is pending and lets you work and stay in america legally. Once the green card comes up, it supercedes the EAD card and you no longer need the EAD then.

4 minutes ago, shayden10 said:

For the past year of my long distance relationship I travelled to the US at least once, sometimes twice a month, and I had the honor of going through secondary inspection every time (yay me!) so I am well rehearsed with going through secondary. I am from Canada, I am not religious, I don't care about the government or share opinions on social media, I've never committed a crime, I have all my vaccines, I have never committed an immigration violation or been unlawfully present. I have no reason to be found inadmissible. I feel more than comfortable using my advance parole for its purpose. I intend to travel using it in October should I not get my green card. 

 

As other users have said, there is no proof that either way is faster. I have seen people from March and April of last year who are just getting their interviews scheduled now. Some people get waivers and get their GC sooner. Just like people from mid-late February have gotten their EADs but some people from January are still waiting. You can't tell someone applying for an EAD now that it's going to be 90 days or 120 days because processing is different for everyone.

 

While some people may get denied on AP, and some people's AOS takes longer, that's not the case for everyone. EVERY case is different. Please keep that in mind. 

Well yeah as far you know the consequences and know what you're doing there's no harm in using the AP too. Just a matter of preference. And surely every case is different. I sometimes think USCIS and even the whole DHS works differently on every case and make it unpredictable so that no one could guess whats gonna happen or what questions they're gonna be asked at port of entry or AOS or visa interview. Everyone would have a different story and experience to tell. What a reader (or listener) could do is just pick the common things from those stories and be prepared

22 minutes ago, NYBEtt said:

This isn't true at all.

 

If you look at people's timelines from K1 who get green cards approved without an interview, you'll see the total time from USCIS having received application to approving application ranges from 3-6 months... That would make it 0-3 months after EAD approved not 6 more months. I've even read about cases where green card is approved before EAD.

 

As helpful as this forum is, it's also frustrating to see people spread false information at times, even if there no ill-intention.

 

 

 

 

Dude if you havent seen something with your own eyes it doesnt mean it doesnt exist or "not true at all" unless you prove it.

Thats true K-1s are one of the applicants who have most likeliness of getting an interview waiver but I know people adjusting from K-1 who had to wait 11 months while others with an interview got adjudicated in 6 to 8 months. I've been following some immigration related forums, blogs and articles and people have posted what their "potential interview waiver letter" says, and so many people have commented that by the time they receive the letter they've already waited a few months and the letter says that they're gonna have to wait for another 180 days if they actually get interview waiver. Those applicants then did wait and couldnt do anything until USCIS sent them approval notices. Everyone's situation is different, yes people may have gotten approved in 6 months with a waiver but that doesnt mean everyone gets approved in the same time. Do ask what their potential interview waiver letter said initially dude.

3 minutes ago, shayden10 said:

I know that it takes a while but what's the difference? I can work and travel and have what I need to renew that if processing takes that long. 

If I get a waiver I don't have to worry and stress about gathering evidence and going through another interview at this time. My husband and I won't have to take time off work, I know he doesn't have to but he would.

Even if I do have to wait, I'd prefer a waiver. 

Oh right. Well if thats the case you'll be perfectly fine. The only difference the green card may make is it'll make sure you come back to the US easily after international travel. Since the AP

1) still doesnt guarantee entry and a person having AP would still be "an applicant for parole" at the port of entry

2) there would be secondary inspection and

3) one may be found inadmissible even after having an approved AP document in hand.

Its just a bit risky. As long as you have no plans for international travel for now you may do great even with an AOS interview waiver and long wait times.

14 minutes ago, allyrose said:

And yes a waiver would be good. 

With a waiver you gotta wait for atleast 6 more months as compared to the applications with an AOS interview. So it would only be good if one loves to wait.

21 minutes ago, shayden10 said:

I did my biometrics on March 23 and still haven't heard anything on AOS either, maybe we will get waivers and won't have interviews! Either way, I hope we hear something sometime soon!

Do you know anyone who gets an interview waiver has to wait atleast 6 more months to get the green card ? If I were you I would pray that my AOS interview gets scheduled because then the processing time is 'normal' but with the waiver the processing is wayyyy too slow.

Best of luck !

Just now, allyrose said:

We did check today, nothing! haha And yes a waiver would be good. 

I would suggest registering for an account on USPS website. Whats great is that they have started a new service known as "Informed Delivery" which is supposed to be rolled out all over USA in this year but many states have already been included in the program. This service basically sends you an email everyday which contains screenshots of all of your mails that are coming up that day. The screenshots contain only the outer image of the envelopes (or letter pieces) but you actually know your card is coming up when you see your name and USCIS stamp. The photos are taken by automated equipment and there's absolutely no fee for this service so just go and search for "USPS informed delivery" on google.

Has anyone who's been scheduled for an AOS interview received the EAD card or atleast the approval ? I'm concerned about a possibility that, because of my AOS interview thats coming up in 2 weeks from now, they would close my EAD application although its been 87 days on that already. I dont want my EAD being closed and wait for the green card for atleast one more month. I'm so done with this waiting period. Its so frustrating and I'm so broke right now. Yes I wanna be approved for the green card but I need EAD as soon as possible so that I could get my drivers license and atleast go for job interviews. Anyone in the same boat ?

22 minutes ago, mmullins1421 said:

Anyone have advice for seeking jobs that do not require fluent English. My wife speaks good but not great English and she is concerned 😯

She may get some books from the local library related to spoken english. Some books have audio CDs that she may listen and practise along. Also get some novel audiobooks coz they may help a lot. Its not something that you can not learn and instead look for jobs that dont require fluent english. Look for the best jobs and dont worry about the language I've seen so many people who cant speak english fluently but are sitting at high paying positions dude everyone knows that, America is land of immigrants. Go ahead and be confident in whatever you do.

Good luck

12 minutes ago, NYBEtt said:

New Card Is Being Produced

for EAD 3 may 2017

 

No change in AP or AOS status.

Thanks for giving me hope 😃

7 hours ago, theresaa said:

Anyone know the number to call to submit a service request?

USCIS Customer Service Phone Number:

800-375-5283

Press 1, then 2, then 2, then 2

to reach a human and raise a service request

Monday to Friday 8 am to 6 pm EST