How Long Til You Worked?

[MrsDarby 0]

My husband and I are getting ready to submit his paperwork for his change of status to unconditional.

For those who are farther along in the process (who are working or almost approved to work) how long did it take you from the step we are at until the step you were finally approved and able to work?

I just can't believe that it takes this long. It seems a bit unfair!

[Anastasia 1]

My husband and I are getting ready to submit his paperwork for his change of status to unconditional.

For those who are farther along in the process (who are working or almost approved to work) how long did it take you from the step we are at until the step you were finally approved and able to work?

I just can't believe that it takes this long. It seems a bit unfair!

I don't understand what you mean by saying "unconditional status". Do you mean a green card? Or you're asking about how long it takes to get an EAD? I'm confused

[MrsDarby 0]

I have no idea! It's the next step you take after you are married. He was approved at his interview in London for the K-1 visa. We got married last month, and now we are on the next step.

Not sure if it is greencard or EAD. What is EAD? All these acronyms are really confusing!

[luv2teach77 41]

AOS stands for Adjustment Of Status, this is the process of changing your status from that of a K-1 visa holder to a legal permanent resident. The end of this process is being issued with a 2 year conditional green card. An EAD is an Employment Authorization Document. This is normally filed for in conjunction with an AOS application and is the document required for your new husband to legally work. If you choose to not apply for the EAD (which some people choose not to apply for) he will be free to work once he receives his Conditional Green Card.

I entered the US in march of 2005. We submitted my AOS paperwork in late May and received NOA's for both AOS and EAD applications in mid June.

I received an RFE related to my AOS application for a missing I-693 vaccination supplement but was assured by both the USCIS and my congressmans office that this should have had no bearing on the processing of my EAD.

In the end it took until mid October for my EAD to be approved which was approximately 5 months after it was submitted. I had to get my congressmans office involved and am convinced that without their help I would still probably be waiting !!

After receiving my EAD it took me until the New Year to get anywhere with my job search and I didn't actually get my first job until Jan 23rd, 2006 which was almost exactly 8 months from the date I submitted my AOS and EAD applications !! I had my green card approved in mid January so actually didn't get to use my EAD because I didn't start work until after my green card was approved.

Be prepared for a good few months out of work after sending in the AOS and EAd applications. In theory if you've not been approved 90 days after your NOA date you can go into your local office to request an interim EAD. However, this system varies in its level of success from office to office.

Hopefully you'll be approved quickly and can join the massed ranks of the US workforce like the rest of us !!

Mark

Edited May 11, 2006 by luv2teach77

[Anastasia 1]

I have no idea! It's the next step you take after you are married. He was approved at his interview in London for the K-1 visa. We got married last month, and now we are on the next step.

Not sure if it is greencard or EAD. What is EAD? All these acronyms are really confusing!

Ok, now I understand better. You should read the FAQs and Guides on this website they are very helpful and it will help you to understand better what's going on. Your husband's status has nothing to do with the words conditional and unconditional, it will only confuse people. Once you're married, he should apply for AOS (Adjustment Of Status, or in other words reen card). The wait for green card can take quite a while, and so in the meanwhile people have the option to also apply for EAD (Employment Authorizaton Document) and that's the document that allows your husband to work, once it's approved, which usually takes from 30 up to 90 days for approval. He can also apply for AP (Advanced Parol) and it allows him to leave the US and come back before he has his green card. And once he has his green card, he can travel and work without any restrictions. Hope this clears things a bit.

Edited May 11, 2006 by Anastasia

[sjoefl01 1]

It took us about 5 months to get work authorization.

[Cassie 8]

I received my EAD within a month (Oklahoma City was smokin' at that point), but it's taken me a while to get interviews/work. I made the mistake of concentrating on looking for work in my field (museum/heritage preservation) and no luck for moi. Now that I have broadened my outlook a bit, it's getting a littel easier to at least get interviews.