working after K-1 before AOS

[Melissa&Chris 0]

Hey there,

I received my approved K1 visa on June 20 and entered the US on June 21, 2008.

I am now trying to decide what to do now (besides plan the wedding) I was looking thru some information and realized that I should not apply for a SS# for 2 weeks after entering the US. I can not open a bank account or get an ID card without an SS#...so what do I do? Is it possible to find work? Is all I need to work a SS# or my approved k-1? I'm a little confused as to if I can work before applying for my AOS.

The officer that checked my k-1 at customs did not have any work forms for me. Please help!

~Melissa

[Dakine 26]

Hey there,

I received my approved K1 visa on June 20 and entered the US on June 21, 2008.

I am now trying to decide what to do now (besides plan the wedding) I was looking thru some information and realized that I should not apply for a SS# for 2 weeks after entering the US. I can not open a bank account or get an ID card without an SS#...so what do I do? Is it possible to find work? Is all I need to work a SS# or my approved k-1? I'm a little confused as to if I can work before applying for my AOS.

The officer that checked my k-1 at customs did not have any work forms for me. Please help!

~Melissa

Best to put all your energy into filling for AOS. Get SSN as soon as you can so you can open joint accounts and apply for drivers license.

If you do find work you can only work until I-94 expires. Almost a waste of time. Go for adjusting status. Get married and get the MC and apply for AOS ASAP!

[YuAndDan 153]

K-1 can work with EAD stamp, EAD card, or after getting Green-card.

Apply for EAD when you apply for AOS, there is no extra fee for EAD card when based on pending AOS I-485.

[colinjess 0]

so if you send AOS and send EADat the same time, its the same price as just sending the AOS off! right?

what if you send AP with it is that covered in the price too ? or do you have to pay seperate for that ?

colin

[YuAndDan 153]

so if you send AOS and send EADat the same time, its the same price as just sending the AOS off! right?

what if you send AP with it is that covered in the price too ? or do you have to pay seperate for that ?

colin

Yes if you send I-756, and I-131 with your I-485, they are covered by the $1010 fee for I-485.

Code I-765 (C )(9 ) Based on pending I-485.

[Melissa&Chris 0]

So can I work before I apply for AOS? I get married on August 24...so 2 months from now. Is there anyway to work before applying for AOS and I-765? I never got an EAD stamp or anything....the guy at customs knew nothing about employment authorization. All I have is my passport with approved k1 and I-94. I am getting my SS# soon is that all I need to find temporary work to help pay for the wedding?

Edited June 25, 2008 by Melissa&Chris

[sweetpiano 0]

So can I work before I apply for AOS? I get married on August 24...so 2 months from now. Is there anyway to work before applying for AOS and I-765? I never got an EAD stamp or anything....the guy at customs knew nothing about employment authorization. All I have is my passport with approved k1 and I-94. I am getting my SS# soon is that all I need to find temporary work to help pay for the wedding?

If you don't have an EAD stamp in your passport, you cannot work before applying for AOS and getting your EAD card! The SS card you are getting soon will mention on it "Valid with DHS authorization", which is the EAD, which you don't have yet.

[payxibka 10,045]

So can I work before I apply for AOS? I get married on August 24...so 2 months from now. Is there anyway to work before applying for AOS and I-765? I never got an EAD stamp or anything....the guy at customs knew nothing about employment authorization. All I have is my passport with approved k1 and I-94. I am getting my SS# soon is that all I need to find temporary work to help pay for the wedding?

Technically you are work authorized but simply lack the documentation to prove it. The more important issue would be, can you find an employer to hire you for such a short period of time, as you will have a gap in authorization from Sep 18th (expiry of I-94) to receipt of EAD.

Edited June 25, 2008 by fwaguy

[Lindsey y Koki 0]

Wait...are you SURE that AP is included in the AOS $1010 fee? I thought you had to pay for the separately.

I've read (and even printed out the law) that K1 visa holders CAN work but they have no legal paperwork to prove it. When my husband went to the SS office, they gave him a card with a not authorized to work message printed in bold letters.

so if you send AOS and send EADat the same time, its the same price as just sending the AOS off! right?

what if you send AP with it is that covered in the price too ? or do you have to pay seperate for that ?

colin

Yes if you send I-756, and I-131 with your I-485, they are covered by the $1010 fee for I-485.

Code I-765 (C )(9 ) Based on pending I-485.

[payxibka 10,045]

Wait...are you SURE that AP is included in the AOS $1010 fee? I thought you had to pay for the separately.

I've read (and even printed out the law) that K1 visa holders CAN work but they have no legal paperwork to prove it. When my husband went to the SS office, they gave him a card with a not authorized to work message printed in bold letters.

The I-765/I-131 fees are inclusive with the I-485 fee if you file the I-765/I-131 concurrently or after the I-485, otherwise a separate fee is required. This has been the situation since the fee adjustment in July 2007.

Your experience at the SSA is consistent with others here.

Edited June 25, 2008 by fwaguy

[Lindsey y Koki 0]

Thanks, I just saw that on VJ: The fee for I-485 applications filed on or after July 30th 2007 inlcudes the cost of the I-131 and I-765 (no need to pay for them if filed with or while your I-485 application is pending adjudication -- as long as you paid the "new" rate for the I-485 effective July 30th 2007).

Do you know how I would go about filing the I-131 now without paying the fee? My AOS is still pending and if the AP is "free" then I'd like to get that processed just in case it's approved before the AOS.

Thanks for your help!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Hey there,

I received my approved K1 visa on June 20 and entered the US on June 21, 2008.

I am now trying to decide what to do now (besides plan the wedding) I was looking thru some information and realized that I should not apply for a SS# for 2 weeks after entering the US. I can not open a bank account or get an ID card without an SS#...so what do I do? Is it possible to find work? Is all I need to work a SS# or my approved k-1? I'm a little confused as to if I can work before applying for my AOS.

The officer that checked my k-1 at customs did not have any work forms for me. Please help!~Melissa

Not true; you can open the bank account without an SSN--but they cannot do tax-withdrawal of interest.

As for ID card, retain your Canuck DL until you actually have EAD (or GC) in hand PLUS 30 days.

[payxibka 10,045]

Thanks, I just saw that on VJ: The fee for I-485 applications filed on or after July 30th 2007 inlcudes the cost of the I-131 and I-765 (no need to pay for them if filed with or while your I-485 application is pending adjudication -- as long as you paid the "new" rate for the I-485 effective July 30th 2007).

Do you know how I would go about filing the I-131 now without paying the fee? My AOS is still pending and if the AP is "free" then I'd like to get that processed just in case it's approved before the AOS.

Thanks for your help!

by providing proof of your I-485 application (a copy of the I-797 notice for example)

Edited June 25, 2008 by fwaguy

[Melissa&Chris 0]

so I shouldn't bother working until after I have sent away my complete AOS package including the I-765? Is it just easier to wait?

and what do I need to open a bank account in the meantime?

[payxibka 10,045]

so I shouldn't bother working until after I have sent away my complete AOS package including the I-765? Is it just easier to wait?

and what do I need to open a bank account in the meantime?

working or not working is a personal choice....

Individual or joint? You will have to inquire with local banking instituitions... some are more immigrant friendly than others