Which airports give an EAD stamp?

[donnellyhc 0]

Hi everyone,

My fiance will by coming to the US at the end of May (Finally!) I have heard that JFK offers a EAD stamp so that you can work immediately, but what other airports offer this stamp as well? My fiance will either enter at IAD (Dulles-Washington DC) Miami, or Houston...but I want to check before I buy his ticket so we can take advantage of the EAD stamp.

If JFK really is the only airport where you can get this, does anyone know why? It wouldn't make sense to only be able to get this in one airport...just wondering.

Thank you all for your answers.

[YuAndDan 153]

This is a very frequent question. JFK is the only one that it is posted that consistently does the stamp, however they can discontinue this practice at any time.

NOTE: K-1 is not a work visa, it is a fiancee visa for entry to the USA and marriage, K-1 is "Work Auth" primarily to be able to get the SSN, some states are strict in their interpretation of a federal law that requires persons applying for a "license" to have SSN, this can cause a problem with marriage license if only one person has SSN and the other (the K-1 holder) does not.

5.5)...Is there any way I can make absolutely, positively sure that my fiance(e) will receive work authorization so that they can go to work and help to pay the bills right away?

A..No.

http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1k2visa-enter.html#5.5

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=47624

Profile details please: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...rCP&CODE=01

Edited April 7, 2008 by YuAndDan

[freecake 0]

my hubby went through JFK and they gave him the stamp no problem. THis was Nov 2007.

[Johnnie Oz 0]

my hubby went through JFK and they gave him the stamp no problem. THis was Nov 2007.

See post #14 in this thread

[DakotaK1 1]

My opinion is the stamp is not worth the time.

I had it and it was worthless.

[Johnnie Oz 0]

Opinions are always welcome here

It would, however, help if you were a little more specific and less categorical. "Worthless?" Strong word...

for another opinion, see post # 15 here

I worked using the EA stamp. Moreover, if you have it you are more likely to begin looking for work right away.

Yes, you might not find something, at least not that dream job. AND you may have to quit during the gap phase between valid EAs.

BUT for a lot of people this will still be a good intro to the US job scene.

On the flipside, IF you don't have it, who's gonna apply for work during these first 90 days? What if you get an interview? Would you then tell them "well, I'll be eligible to work soon, at some point in the future..." Not a good spot to be in.

We can argue and discuss the pros and cons of this whole sorry saga - e.g. why JFK is the only place that regularly gives out the stamp, what the EA situation was like before and what outgoing USCIS Director Gonzalez wants to do about the K1's EA benefit, ie eliminate it.

But for now, for those who want to try to work, it IS an OPTION that has worked for many people. They have made money, friends etc etc.

So while I'm sorry that DakotaK1 found it "worthless" : they're on lots of folks who would respectfully disagree. You don't have to work: I denigrate no one. I have enjoyed both working AND having a little time to get acclimatized here in Cali.

JOZ

[I'm Gone 60]

Opinions are always welcome here

It would, however, help if you were a little more specific and less categorical. "Worthless?" Strong word..,

OK lets say it's of minimal value, since you can be assigned an SSN as a K-1 without it. It's only good for the 90 day period the K-1 status is valid. So by the time you do find a job; how long could you actually work before having to stop.

However, I have heard it is good for one free cup of coffee at 7-11 and one free movie rental at Blockbuster. LOL

Edited April 9, 2008 by I Quit

[Johnnie Oz 0]

Opinions are always welcome here

It would, however, help if you were a little more specific and less categorical. "Worthless?" Strong word..,

OK lets say it's of minimal value, since you can be assigned an SSN as a K-1 without it. It's only good for the 90 day period the K-1 status is valid. So by the time you do find a job; how long could you actually work before having to stop.

However, I have heard it is good for one free cup of coffee at 7-11 and one free movie rental at Blockbuster. LOL

May I beg to differ...a little.

We are talking about max 90 days of remuneration, brother.

Employers can hire us even before we have a SS nr - when filling in the I-9, they can put "applied for" or something like that. So we can wait the 1-2 weeks (so our status gets into the SAVE database) before applying for the SSN, but be working before then. The employer, as you the resident SSA expert know, then adds the SSN once it becomes available. (using another form i think)

Or we can choose not to work. That's cool too....the Big K1 vacation extravaganza

And yes, the I-94 is somehow magical. I showed my I-94 with smudgy red stamp to an employer and he promptly bought me a pint of California Imperial Pale Ale. People just seem to love it...especially after we explain what the it is....

JOZ

Edited April 9, 2008 by Johnnie Oz

[I'm Gone 60]

Opinions are always welcome here

It would, however, help if you were a little more specific and less categorical. "Worthless?" Strong word..,

OK lets say it's of minimal value, since you can be assigned an SSN as a K-1 without it. It's only good for the 90 day period the K-1 status is valid. So by the time you do find a job; how long could you actually work before having to stop.

However, I have heard it is good for one free cup of coffee at 7-11 and one free movie rental at Blockbuster. LOL

May I beg to differ...a little.

We are talking about max 90 days of remuneration, brother.

Employers can hire us even before we have a SS nr - when filling in the I-9, they can put "applied for" or something like that. So we can wait the 1-2 weeks (so our status gets into the SAVE database) before applying for the SSN, but be working before then. The employer, as you the resident SSA expert know, then adds the SSN once it becomes available. (using another form i think)

Yes, you can be hired and paid without an SSN if you have work authorization to satisfy the I-9 requirements and have at least applied for the SSN, but how many people already have a job lined up when they get off the boat. So I would figure it would take most people at least a few weeks to find a job, unless they jump on the first offer that comes along.

So that is going to cut into those 90 days. I still say it's going to be hard to get hired if the employer knows your work authorization is only good for 90 days, unless you don't mind selling "Happy Meals".

The SSN is needed for tax withholding and submitting W-2s.

You can find SSN and employment information on the Internal Revenue Service Website at:

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/intern...=129227,00.html

Page 5

NOTE: Providing a Social Security number on the Form I-9 is voluntary for all employees unless you are an employer

participating in the USCIS E-Verify Program, which requires an employee’s Social Security number for employment

eligibility verification.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/m-274.pdf

Resident SSA expert not totally sure what employers need to do with the SSN, other than recording the info in their records to do tax withholding and prepare W-2s. Expert on getting an SSN, not what you do with it after you get it.

[DakotaK1 1]

OK lets say it's of minimal value, since you can be assigned an SSN as a K-1 without it. It's only good for the 90 day period the K-1 status is valid. So by the time you do find a job; how long could you actually work before having to stop.

Yes thats exactly my opinion too.

It would, however, help if you were a little more specific and less categorical.

When I came to the US I had to fly to some big airport (New York,Cinncinati..you name it)

I decided to fly through New York,to get my EAD stamp hoping I would be able to work.

However my SSN# did not come in time,great I was legal to work but not without SSN# ,by the time you get your SSN# (lets say 4-5 weeks) you can deduct that time off the 90 day workpermit.

Also try finding a job really fast,thats almost impossible...

Try to find somebody that will hire you,for such a short time,also almost impossible.

Thats why I say it is worthless,intending to work with it.

[Johnnie Oz 0]

I repeat, please read this post (#15)

Your experience, DakotaK1, is just that, your experience. If you had gotten a job, you might be singing a different tune than "worthless". You make it seem like most people, by default, will have your experience.

Not sure why you interpret I Quit's comments as bolstering yours.

I Quit's advice about possible pitfalls, inc. issues surrounding the SSN and the kind of jobs available are obviously to be taken into consideration.

None of which negates the opportunity - and it may disappear if Emilio Gonzalez has his way, see this link for his inane response to the USCIS' ombudsman's rational recommendation regarding K1s and EADs - that K1s have of making a little money while interacting in a work place. Please refrain from projecting based upon your own situation - it could negatively influence others. Then they won't even try like you or I did. Search VJ and you will find many who have worked during the first 90 days. Some doing odd jobs, some doing a "real" job (then quitting until they got the EAD, then getting rehired etc).

Many, if not most, people will have a SSN before the end of the first month. That is, if they followed the advised procedure of waiting 1-2 weeks before applying. I'm sorry you had to wait longer. Many others did not.

Moreover you can begin working before you have the SSN. Read I Quit's comments and the I-9 guidelines. So we are talking about some 60-90 days of potential working time.

If someone has no plans to work later on, then this doesn't apply. Fine. But for the rest of us, it seems uncontroversial to claim that the opportunity offers us the chance to:

a) meet some folks, experience our community, integrate/assimilate etc

B) make a little money

There are obviously many employers that don't worry about the limited time of our JFK EA.

Either b/c they don't care, don't know, or (this is wishful thinking) EVEN b/c they know they can't discriminate against us based on having a limited duration employment authorization. Regardless, we are legal during this period and they can hire us.

You know, even those who enter with IR-1 or CR-1 (as permanent residents) don't find work immediately just b/c they have work permits that don't expire. They still have to apply, go through the interview process etc. So K1s might as well approach the job market while we can. It's simply good practice.

On a personal note, I have been applying for both "real jobs" while doing odd jobs. No one has asked what kind of work permit I have, they just want to know that I have one.

BTW, dishing out Happy Meals, serving coffee, teaching a foreign language, babysitting, manual labor, temping in some office or whatever may not be satisfactory work to some, but it is to others. Besides, someone has to do those jobs, no? Guess who usually does them? Immigrants...

[DakotaK1 1]

So by the time you do find a job; how long could you actually work before having to stop.

But you did read this right?!?

Your experience, DakotaK1, is just that, your experience. If you had gotten a job, you might be singing a different tune than "worthless". You make it seem like most people, by default, will have your experience.

Well if you dont want to hear my personal opinion then dont ask the following:

It would, however, help if you were a little more specific and less categorical. "Worthless?"

Just as a little tip...

BTW, dishing out Happy Meals, serving coffee, teaching a foreign language, babysitting, manual labor, temping in some office or whatever may not be satisfactory work to some, but it is to others. Besides, someone has to do those jobs, no? Guess who usually does them? Immigrants...

Then you go right ahead and do that,if you think that would be a satisfing job to some or possibly to yourself

I am sure they pay real good

I will however not argue about the fact that it is good to have your SSN# as son as possible,due to the fact that you need the SSN# for everything in the US

Edited April 10, 2008 by DakotaK1

[DakotaK1 1]

Moreover you can begin working before you have the SSN. Read I Quit's comments and the I-9 guidelines. So we are talking about some 60-90 days of potential working time.

I know that knowbody would of hired me in the State of Missouri without an SSN#.

At least the jobs I was looking into getting...

[Johnnie Oz 0]

Your opinion is most welcome. As is mine...hopefully.

I apologize if I interpreted your comments incorrectly. They just seemed so categorical. As if your experience was going to be everyone else's. As opposed to the one I had, or the one others have had. Again, I realize you weren't saying that. Entschuldigung Sie, bitte

People arrive here, as K1s among others, with totally different backgrounds. Whether age, job experience or level of English. Moreover, some move to small job markets with little experience of immigrants while others wind up in global cities with no shortage of such experience.

Fact is, many find jobs. Their employers and they are able to have a legal working relationship during the first 90 days.

Now, I realize that doing this during the first 90 days will be tricky for some. They are getting married and may prioritize this. They may be in the US for the first time and are adjusting to things. Some have not met their fiance(e)s recently or even often.

Conversely, others are in a situation where money is tight, so they want to work. Others want to work b/c that is how they get to know people. Some people don't mind doing odd jobs or just working a short while before not being allowed to work. Some people know people where they are moving and have a network to tap into. Some people are driven like crazy and find work much faster than I did etc etc.

The K1's employment authorization situation is messy - this information was available to all of us. It is still better than not having the option of working at all. We should be informative about the situation. In my book, that means being realistic not pessimistic.

As one poster often writes (YuAndDan)

"NOTE: K-1 is not a work visa, it is a fiancee visa for entry to the USA and marriage, K-1 is "Work Auth" primarily to be able to get the SSN, some states are strict in their interpretation of a federal law that requires persons applying for a "license" to have SSN, this can cause a problem with marriage license if only one person has SSN and the other (the K-1 holder) does not.""

If we wanted to be sure of getting a work permit, those of us who had the chance should have gotten married earlier and applied to enter as perm residents.

Absolutely.

But for now, the K1 JFK EA exists. As others note, it may disappear at any moment like it did from most other POEs.

Each person must decide whether it is worth their while to fly to JFK to get one. Having it is no guarantee of finding work. But not having it is a guarantee of not being able work legally.

Our experiences (and those of countless others) can help future K1s make their decisions. That is how I made mine.

Good luck with getting that high-paying job. I hope you keep your attitude towards the low-paid folks on the downlow when getting your morning coffee. So was von Arroganz...

Edited April 10, 2008 by Johnnie Oz

[Johnnie Oz 0]

Moreover you can begin working before you have the SSN. Read I Quit's comments and the I-9 guidelines. So we are talking about some 60-90 days of potential working time.

I know that knowbody would of hired me in the State of Missouri without an SSN#.

At least the jobs I was looking into getting...

OK. BTW, congrats on your amazing AOS timeline! Hier in LA ist alles ein bissel langsammer....

Edited April 10, 2008 by Johnnie Oz