EAC after Biometrics

maria_b84 · April 25, 2006

Hi...I sent my EAD on march 31 and the NOA1 was dated april 5. After 2 weeks they sent me the notice for the biometrics. On april 18 I did my biometrics in Pittsburgh. Last online upload for my petition was april 20. How long does it usually take to get the EAC after the Biometrics? I need a SS# bad!!!!

Kanyiri · April 25, 2006

It seems to vary greatly. We still don't have ours and we applied in February and had the biometrics in March.

ian12312 · April 25, 2006

I had the same thing, my biometrics were 2 or 3 weeks after my NOA. It seems to make little difference when your biometrics were done and not be a sign of how close to being processed you are and from what I have seen we can't count on getting the EAD's much before the full 90 days are up.

I think maybe the speed at which biometrics get done depends a lot on how busy the local biometrics place is. Is this what other people think as well?

kc456 · April 25, 2006

I had the same thing, my biometrics were 2 or 3 weeks after my NOA. It seems to make little difference when your biometrics were done and not be a sign of how close to being processed you are and from what I have seen we can't count on getting the EAD's much before the full 90 days are up.
I think maybe the speed at which biometrics get done depends a lot on how busy the local biometrics place is. Is this what other people think as well?

Yes, this appears to be true. The only advantage of getting the biometrics done early is that you get this hurdle out of the way, and they (or lack thereof) would not delay the processing in any way. It takes *at least* 60 days since receipt by USCIS to get your EAD. 75 days seems about average. A lot of people get the EAD close to 90 days since filing.

Mand · April 25, 2006

I just clicked on Cleveland, Ohio in your profile to check for others going through there and only you showed up...wow! Anyways, back to your question. 75-90 days seems to be the norm from filing the petition, but I've seen people getting their EAD card within two weeks of their biometrics.

We had to wait the full 90 days for ours, so I think it really does depend on your local office, which you have said is Pittsburgh. Just a by-the-by question, do Cleveland not have their own office? Just being curious

kc456 · April 25, 2006

Processing of EAD applications is done at Missouri Service Center, not the local office, so everyone is pretty much on the same timeline (if biometrics are done on time).

“2 weeks after biometics” probably happens for people who are already 2 months into the process. I got my EAD card 1 week after biometrics, but it took me 100+ days since filing to get the card.

Anastasia · April 25, 2006

It takes about 60-90 days to get EAD approved. If you get biometrics early in the process it's good, because then the biometrics won't delay the approval, but it doesn't make things go faster than usual as time still needed for the procesing itself. You can look at the processing times of National Benefits Center - https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/ptimes.jsp - look for EADs processing to get a general idea of how long it's gonna take.

rebeccajo · April 25, 2006

I don't understand why you can't go get your SS number now...you don't need your EAD to get one.....

Unless there's something different for a K-3 that I don't know about...

ian12312 · April 25, 2006

As I understand it K-3 visa holders are not eligible for a SSN. This is because unlike the K-1 visa you cant work for 90 days when you enter the country.

I'm sure ive read this on the forum somewhere so check it for sure.

I know it makes no sense but then again how much of how this whole process works really makes sense?

maria_b84 · April 26, 2006

As I understand it K-3 visa holders are not eligible for a SSN. This is because unlike the K-1 visa you cant work for 90 days when you enter the country.
I'm sure ive read this on the forum somewhere so check it for sure.

I know it makes no sense but then again how much of how this whole process works really makes sense?

No it doesn't. Its true though....the EAD is processed in Missouri, I wish it were my local office!!! (cleveland), they would be a lot faster!!!! I can't apply for a SS#. When I was in Italy (about a month and a half ago) we called the SS office of New Philadelphia or wherever it is located, and my husband specified that I would be on a K3 visa. The woman put Michael on a hold to check and after probably 15 minutes waiting, she came back and said that only the fiancee visa (K1) can apply for a SS# after they get to America. As for the K3 visa, they have to wait until they have the EAC. They won't let me apply without it. I just don't understand....why this rule? For what reason? That doesn't really make any sense. :huh: