Rolling the Dice

[slim 1,514]

Allright everyone.....

So we still have not filed Elena's AOS packet yet. Couple of reasons, main one: MONEY! Still waiting on the tax return. Will get it next Friday so without fail, it will be sent next Saturday. (Pending a confirmed direct deposit by good ol' Uncle Sam, of course. He's giving me back some of the money that I paid him, then I'm going to write him a check and give it right back to him in turn. I love America! Anyway.)

We're not going to do the AP, we simply do not need it. With the recent approvals of AP, EAD, and AOS all within the same week or month, (they seem to be days, if not a week or two apart for most folks now) I'm wondering if applying for EAD is really necessary for us. It's an extra $170 that is looking more and more like it's going to be spent to guarantee her the right to work for a week or two. I realize that her interview or approval of AOS could take a lot longer, especially if there are problems with something else, but if all goes smoothly, am I unnecessarily spending that $170?

Here's the million dollar question:

Should we file for EAD.... or just the AOS?

Pros/Cons, cast your votes, and pass on what you "should've done looking back at it all."

Thanks ahead of time.

[rob&ana 0]

Well...

Gotta tell ya...

For me it worked out pretty nicely that I applied for everything at the same time. My application was in someone's drawer for a while, for no reason at all. Everything was perfectly ok with my AOS application but still it took around 7 months for it to be approved. I did get my temp EAD from the USCIS right at the 90 day limit time, so I was able to work. I moaned and groaned to the get the AP (so I could travel for work). So for me it was worth kicking down the money.

If she can wait and stay home for 4 o 6 months, and if you guys can afford it. Then yes, just apply for AOS. If not, I'd be safe cause I hate to be sorry.

Good luck in your choice...

Ana

[Kez/JWolf 6]

I would look at it this way.... filling for EAD is like an insurance.. if for some reason your AOS takes longer or you are caught up in FBI name check, then she can work... if you dont file for EAD until there is a problem then you have wasted 3 - 4 months...

I guess it all comes down to "would you be able to manage if she could not work for say 1 - 2 years???

Kez

[Jenn! 918]

My husband's not from Russia, but I hope you find my input valuable anyway...

I think applying for the EAD has become less crucial now, especially since they elminated the interim EAD. My husband's EAD was not approved long before his green card, BUT he was able to get the interim EAD well before that. In the current system, chances have gone up that your EAD will be approved not long before or sometimes even *after* the greencard.

A lot depends upon your wife's personality. Is she going to miserable if the green card ends up taking a long time, and you didn't file for an EAD? If so, then I would say the $170 is worth it. If working and/or just knowing that she could work if she wanted to is not a big deal for her, then I'd say save your money. Your odds now are better than ever.

Good luck!

[Jasman0717 9]

To me it seems to be kind of a ####### shoot for the EAD. I spend the money to get Claudeth an EAD and two months after it arrived so did her green card. We were fortunate to have the AOS paperwork transferred to CSC and receive the green card without an interview in about 5 months.

If I had to do it over again I wouldn't waste the money. Claudeth doesn't have any training so took a couple of jobs that were kind of a bust, low-paying position. If you can get buy without the beneficiary working I would say just save your money on the filing fees. I feel the same about the AP. If you are struggling to make the AOS payment then I would think you would just want to wait for the green card for travel purposes. Good luck

[mountainlover534 0]

WHAT IS THE USE TO HAVE AN EAD, IF SHE CANNOT DRIVE A VEHICLE (JEEP IN YOUR CASE )

IF SHE HAS A DRIVING LICENSE AND SHE CAN DRIVE, THEN THAT IS GREAT.

IF YOU HAVE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION THATS GREAT AS WELL.

IN OUR CASE, WE WAISTED THE MONEY FOR THE EAD, SINCE THE "MACHINE" DRIVING WILL TAKE A LOOOOOONG TIME ))

NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION HERE, SO IT WAS A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY ON OUR END!

OF COURSE, YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY.

SIE US

[akdiver 3]

We filed for AOS/EAD/AP all at the same time, and for us, it was definitely worth it.

She got the EAD about two months before the AOS interview. About a month before the AOS interview, she used the EAD to get a really good job, which she could not have gotten if she didn't have the EAD. So, for us, it was a no brainer Even though we only "used it" for two months, it was critical to have.

The AP was a complete waste, but only because I am judging after the fact. Another possibility is that the AOS was delayed, and maybe something happened with her parents (got sick or whatever) and she needed to make an emergency trip home. In this kind of situation, we were prepared.

So, in my view - if you're short on money, do not bother with the AP, but definitely get the EAD. Look at it this way - if she gets any kind of job right away, she can make back that fee in the first week of working. Even at min wage, say $7/hr, at 40 hours that's $280 right there. To me, it's a no brainer.

Cheers!

AKDiver

[akdiver 3]

I would apply quickly if I were you. Bush wants to raise the fee for perm residency, rather significantly - from $325 to $905!!

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2837116

[Neonred 3,521]

We applied for AOS and EAD at the end of June 06. We also skipped the AP. The EAD came in about 90 days. It has been seven months now and we finally have an interview date, but that doesn't guarantee anything concerning delivery of the green card.

If you are counting on her working ASAP better pay for the EAD.

[ELW 5]

Thanks for the thread, slim! It was interesting reading the answers. I agree that the EUD isn't necessary if working is not necessary ASAP, or if it is not an immediate option due to unavailable transportation. AP isn't necessary if there is no reason to travel before the AOS is granted.

I would apply quickly if I were you. Bush wants to raise the fee for perm residency, rather significantly - from $325 to $905!!

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2837116

oh no!!!

[John and Anna 0]

Allright everyone.....

So we still have not filed Elena's AOS packet yet. Couple of reasons, main one: MONEY! Still waiting on the tax return. Will get it next Friday so without fail, it will be sent next Saturday. (Pending a confirmed direct deposit by good ol' Uncle Sam, of course. He's giving me back some of the money that I paid him, then I'm going to write him a check and give it right back to him in turn. I love America! Anyway.)

We're not going to do the AP, we simply do not need it. With the recent approvals of AP, EAD, and AOS all within the same week or month, (they seem to be days, if not a week or two apart for most folks now) I'm wondering if applying for EAD is really necessary for us. It's an extra $170 that is looking more and more like it's going to be spent to guarantee her the right to work for a week or two. I realize that her interview or approval of AOS could take a lot longer, especially if there are problems with something else, but if all goes smoothly, am I unnecessarily spending that $170?

Here's the million dollar question:

Should we file for EAD.... or just the AOS?

Pros/Cons, cast your votes, and pass on what you "should've done looking back at it all."

Thanks ahead of time.

Hey Slim

Check out this thread

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=52674

[slim 1,514]

Holy shnikeys!

That's a lot of money to jump up!

But, it doesn't sound all bad, if it will do what it is proposed to do, it might be worth the extra money. Plus, they're saying some of the fees will be "included" in the increased fees. Either way, none of this is slated to take place until October, and we'll be well in before that.

We'll see what happens. The government is trying to drastically overhaul the immigration process, who knows, maybe they'll get it right! (But, it's the government, so they'll probably keep up their end of the bargain by making it take even longer and cost even more... oh, and there'll be more paperwork now too.)

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I think we're going to go for the AOS and EAD, skipping the AP. It's just too much of a risk when we're only talking about an additional $170. AKDiver made a good point, just one week of work is going to be more than $170, so if she works for TWO weeks, we've already made the money back and more! Math is cool!