Yorkie62

Congratulations! I will clarify that I encourage people to try to expedite EAD/AP if, and only if they believe that they have a valid reason for doing so as per USCIS guidance. I wouldn't suggest that people just apply because the worst they can say is no, hoping that evidence isn't asked for. At best, that slows things down for other people and at worst could be construed as lying to USCIS.

I'm certainly not saying that this is what you did, just that from the way you wrote it, some may get that idea.

16 hours ago, Lorin123 said:

do you know how long after the EAD is approved they will approve the AP?

Anecdotally, I haven't seen any standalone APs approved for AOS since decoupling that weren't expedited. I'd be interested to be told different, but it looks like USCIS are doing EAD, then just not doing AP and waiting for GC approval.

26 minutes ago, lopezkoa said:

This is from a cover letter showing all the supporting documents needed when submitting the application to USCIS.

So far I have Two recent passport style photos, Form I-94 and Entry/Exit History, Copy of Passport with Visa Entry Stamp, Copy of I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, and also the EAD card which is only valid from July - September only. 

 

This application is concurrent filing with Adjustment of Status for a new EAD card to be able to work after September when the first one expires. 

 

Is the I-797 Notice of Action also required when submitting this application since this will be filled while having a valid OPT EAD card?

As stated above, the only list of required supporting documents that matters is the one from USCIS, which is found on Page 25 in the link given by mushroomspore. As an AOS applicant, you will also need to add whatever documents are required by the relevant AOS category (Page 15 onwards). I'm only familiar with (c)(9) eligibility for AOS for which I did not need a "Supporting Letter". 

The I-797 for the EAD is not required, I included mine though.

Form I-797 comes from USCIS. I assume in the above it refers to an NOA from USCIS to communicate the acceptance of the F-1 OPT EAD application in question.

I'm not sure where the screenshot you posted comes from, a "Supporting Letter" is not required for the I-765, but many people will put a cover letter in their applications.

6 minutes ago, AW1704 said:

Wow congrats! I understand that AP expedites are really rare, so I am glad for you that you were able to get one

Thanks!

I haven't heard of anyone getting AP without expediting or getting a combo card, and being in Seattle, I didn't want to wait until the green card to travel (it could be another year or so). There was certainly a business case for me to have to travel overseas, so I thought it was worth a shot. It took almost five weeks for a decision though. No evidence requested.

Approved for AP after expedite! Now I just have to wait for the interview to be scheduled.

Still waiting on an interview date, but that's Seattle for you. I requested an expedite for AP two weeks ago but they haven't even asked for evidence yet. Looking forward to when this is all done, hopefully before the end of the year!

I’m just wondering if anyone has had an approved AP (non-combo) application since the decoupling of EAD/AP.

I’m sure we won’t be able to figure out the timelines for a while, but it would be interesting to hear about people’s experiences. I’ve just got my EAD card so am curious as to when I’ll get my AP.

13 minutes ago, Dark2013 said:

Hello,

How long did it take to expedite it? Is it a separate application? 

In all, it took a month for me to get the EAD after requesting expedition. 
 

You call and ask EMMA for an expedite and they’ll put you through to a representative. You give them a reason (for me it was financial loss based on a job offer). You can look up the USCIS webpage for it Here.

After that it took four days for them to email me asking for evidence, a few days for me to put that together (cover letter plus job offer). Then two weeks for them to make a decision. I’ve seen posted here have this part take a couple of days, others have been a month or so. After it gets approved, it took about a week for my card to be delivered.

I will add to help answer the question that OP had (in case others have the same question) that there was no notification of any kind between the email asking for additional information and the notice that the card was being produced. I believe others have had the same experience. After you send in the fax, you have to just sit and wait.

4 minutes ago, thanachan13 said:

Congrats! What's your reason for expediting?

Financial loss. I have a job offer, so I enclosed the letter with a bank statement. The ability to travel internationally would really help with the job function, so I specifically asked for a combo. I know that’s not a reason to request expedited AP, or how you’re supposed to do it, but you never know.

EAD card is being produced after expedite. No word on AP so I assume that means it’s not a combo. Hopefully the wait isn’t too long.

22 hours ago, hemac said:

Sorry to hear that. I called to expedite last Monday (03/07/22) and they said they would get back within 7 days but nothing yet. Let us know what happens! Thank you!

Update today that EAD card is being produced 

55 minutes ago, hemac said:

Have you heard back?

I have not. I called this morning to see if they could tell me whether or not the fax was received and all the agent could say was that the expedite had not been rejected, which suggests that it had been received (they said that if the evidence is not faxed after a while then the expedite gets auto rejected). I was told to call back after 30 days if I hadn’t heard anything.

Just posting here to add my experience (or lack thereof).

I requested expedition on 02/14/22 through EMMA. I received the email asking for additional evidence on the 02/18/22 and faxed it on 02/24/22. The first few faxes did not go through, but eventually I got confirmation (from the fax machine, not USCIS). I've been waiting since then with no update or status change.

On 3/3/2022 at 9:15 AM, cookiemonster8482 said:

 

Congrats!

I also sent my evidence based on a job offer on 02/24. Did you get any confirmation of receipt from USCIS after you sent the fax?

2 minutes ago, googly3 said:

I'm interested to hear how you explained financial loss when you probably already have a job on H1B, right? I'm in the same status as you but I'm currently employed. My issue is that my wife lives 2 hours away and I'm having problems finding new jobs who sponsor H1b. As soon as I tell them my GC is pending they tell me to come back when it's approved 😵

I was employed on a contract that was limited to three years by my organization. That three years is up, so I'm now jobless! I haven't submitted any evidence yet, I'll write it up with my job offer letter if/when USCIS request it.

Can't edit the above, but just to clarify that I'm applying from H-1B, so not a K. So if there's confusion about my status changing, apologies. I'm interested to hear about people's expedite requests and overall timeline rather than discuss my own status, so I'm here in the more active section.

So today I requested expedition of my I-765. The agent (or officer, I'm not really sure) was very helpful and friendly and answered some other questions that I had.

My justification was for financial loss to person based on my current status, and therefore job, ending and being unable to get a new one without the EAD. I have a job offer letter which depends on work authorization. I'll update as I get news, but would love to hear from others who have expedited or are thinking of doing so.

2 hours ago, joy717 said:

hi all. I just spoke to an agent regarding an expedite request and she said that my I-131 is due to be assigned to an agent at the NBC. Does anyone know on how long that stage normally takes? She said she could not give an estimate due to covid.

 

TIA

I'm also interested in this as I'm getting ready to request an expedite. If you're at this stage, does it mean that there's no point in expediting?

Quote

Yesterday, I submitted my response to RFIE online

The status changed online changed on the spot to REPONSE RECEIVED AND WE HAVE RESUMED WORKING ON YOUR CASE

 

Is this normal, to change the status?

 

I also have just posted the documents, will be delivered by Thursday

 

I have sent them FRC insteast of Birth Certificate

I can't speak to what is normal, but in my case it looks like this

I'm glad to hear that you found an acceptable document! 

On 1/24/2022 at 7:05 PM, screech_t said:

 

1. What is the likelihood, filing in February, I will get a work permit / green card before I have to leave my job in July (Ideally, I would like to make this as smooth as possible and avoid a visa wait, they company already waited 4 months for my OPT approval.) 

Pretty much zero chance unless you expedite the EAD (work permit). This requires your biometrics to be done first, the timing of which depends on your field office location. See https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/aosstats.php for an estimate ("Avg. Days btw 1st NOA Biometrics"). Then you can request the EAD to be expedited, which is no guarantee. Having a letter from your job saying that, your continued work authorization is essential to their business and that you not working will result in severe financial loss for the company, may help.

1 hour ago, RoxyJen said:

So after 3 months, since my biometrics, of complete silence an RFIE was issued today, was wondering if anyone could kindly explain how to see such letter online before it gets here by mail, thanks and my apologies if this is a repetitive question

Go to https://my.uscis.gov/ and sign up for an account.

The RFE should be uploaded in the documents tab of your case. (Under My Account > Home)

According to forum members reporting their timelines, USCIS is currently processing EAD/AP from early July 2021, so you're probably about six weeks out.

09/15/21 - Sent packet via USPS to Chicago lockbox

09/22/21 - Priority date

09/26/21 - Text/email confirmation of receipt by USCIS

09/28/21 - Checks cashed by USCIS

Hope this helps!