Is it?

[Joanne and Adam 15]

(Work Authorization)

"this EAD will expire when you K-1 expires (90 days) and because of this and the wait time (>90 days) it is a waste of both time and money to bother applying"

What do you guys suggest? Should I apply for it as soon as I can so I can work in the months leading up to my wedding, or should I just wait until I'm married to save hassle? Is it really a waste of money? Is there another filing fee for this?

[moemac59 192]

(Work Authorization)

"this EAD will expire when you K-1 expires (90 days) and because of this and the wait time (>90 days) it is a waste of both time and money to bother applying"

What do you guys suggest? Should I apply for it as soon as I can so I can work in the months leading up to my wedding, or should I just wait until I'm married to save hassle? Is it really a waste of money? Is there another filing fee for this?

If you are coming in on K-1 you cannot apply for EAD until you apply for AOS after marriage. When you file your AOS, you should apply for your EAD/AP (it is now a combo card and is usually issued withing 3 months of USCIS receiving your AOS/AP/EAD application) with the AOS as it is included in the cost of your application.

[Joanne and Adam 15]

If you are coming in on K-1 you cannot apply for EAD until you apply for AOS after marriage. When you file your AOS, you should apply for your EAD/AP (it is now a combo card and is usually issued withing 3 months of USCIS receiving your AOS/AP/EAD application) with the AOS as it is included in the cost of your application.

Thank you! Looks like I'll be out of work for around 6 months after PoE then..

[Patsgal54 18]

Technically you can apply for an EAD as soon as you arrive in the country, but as you posted, it will expire at the same time as your K1, meaning you will only be able to work for up to 3 months. Why do you say you will be out of work for 6 months? Are you not getting married for 3 months? The EAD/AP card should only take between 2 and 3 months. Mine only took 70 days from the date I applied.

Edited June 27, 2013 by Patsgal54

[moemac59 192]

Technically you can apply for an EAD as soon as you arrive in the country, but as you posted, it will expire at the same time as your K1, meaning you will only be able to work for up to 3 months. Why do you say you will be out of work for 6 months? Are you not getting married for 3 months? The EAD/AP card should only take between 2 and 3 months. Mine only took 70 days from the date I applied.

Pats, that is what I thought but someone corrected me and said USCIS is phasing that out and it must be now done with AOS for K1.

[Patsgal54 18]

I hadn't heard that, but I guess it would make sense. I can't believe that many people go that route.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

(Work Authorization)

"this EAD will expire when you K-1 expires (90 days) and because of this and the wait time (>90 days) it is a waste of both time and money to bother applying"

What do you guys suggest? Should I apply for it as soon as I can so I can work in the months leading up to my wedding, or should I just wait until I'm married to save hassle? Is it really a waste of money? Is there another filing fee for this?

Don't do it. You pay $380 to file if not with the I-485. Example of timeline.

Arrive US - July 1

Apply - July 2 $380

Approved - Sept 19 (but wait for card to arrive)

Go to work - Sept 25

I-94 expires - Sept 29

Must quit job - Sept 29

Even if it was approved in 60 days, it's still September before you can work so you may only get 2-3 weeks. If any hold-ups, it may arrive after your 90 days. Not much return on your $380 investment.

Better to marry first week and apply for everything first week in the US. Then you could be approved as quickly, but not have to quit when the I-94 expires because it's based on a pending I-485, not K1 visa entry. My husband had his one-year EAD approved 72 days after stepping off the plane. (hahaha--then it was 3 years before he actually started working. But that's another story.)

[Hank_ 9,173]

(Work Authorization)

"this EAD will expire when you K-1 expires (90 days) and because of this and the wait time (>90 days) it is a waste of both time and money to bother applying"

What do you guys suggest? Should I apply for it as soon as I can so I can work in the months leading up to my wedding, or should I just wait until I'm married to save hassle? Is it really a waste of money? Is there another filing fee for this?

No that is not correct. The EAD is valid for a year from date of issue. When you apply for AOS you can apply for the EAD and AP free of charge... so there is no waste of money.

Once married and have certified copies of your marriage certificate you can file AOS.

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

No that is not correct. The EAD is valid for a year from date of issue. When you apply for AOS you can apply for the EAD and AP free of charge... so there is no waste of money.

Once married and have certified copies of your marriage certificate you can file AOS.

That IS correct if you apply for it before AOS. It will cost $380 and expire when the I-94 does. It is good for a year and the fee is waived IF you file for it when you file for adjustment of status.

OP> Yes, it is definitely a waste of $380. There is basically no time to even work after waiting to receive it. Just file for AOS as soon as possible and file for the EAD and AP then. Both fees for those forms will be waived when filed with the I-485.

[Hank_ 9,173]

Its totally idiotic with a K-1 to apply for EAD and pay $380 upon arrival, then turn around and apply for AOS right after you are married and not apply then when EAD and AP are F-R-E-E!

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

Its totally idiotic with a K-1 to apply for EAD and pay $380 upon arrival, then turn around and apply for AOS right after you are married and not apply then when EAD and AP are F-R-E-E!

Agree, but since a K-1 is eligible to work with SSN and authorization, they have to offer a way for the K-1 to get authorization. It is not worth it at all to do it that way though. Work authorization that expires when the I-94 does is useless and no one should pay $380 for it.

[Joanne and Adam 15]

Technically you can apply for an EAD as soon as you arrive in the country, but as you posted, it will expire at the same time as your K1, meaning you will only be able to work for up to 3 months. Why do you say you will be out of work for 6 months? Are you not getting married for 3 months? The EAD/AP card should only take between 2 and 3 months. Mine only took 70 days from the date I applied.

Yeah we're planning to get married in September because its near to when Adam finishes his machining course and also we want the time to plan the wedding- save up a bit of money beforehand for the honeymoon etc.

[Hank_ 9,173]

Considering it takes 2 - 4 months for the EAD card to arrive, and the I-94 is only valid for 90 days from POE... its an odds on favorite the EAD would expire before it arrives in that case.... so ..... idiotic.

what is that saying.... oh ya..... a fool and his money...

[Joanne and Adam 15]

Ok I'll apply for both after AOS

Can you do voluntary work whilst on a K1?

And can you study also?

[Kelli/Ozzy 8]

just keep in mind the price to file for adjustment of status is $1070.00 which includes application for green card, work permit, biometrics and ability to travel (advanced parole). I filed 4/19/13, had biometrics done 5/24/13 and my hubby should be getting his work permit any day now (timeline here estimates today)