Seeking for advice- EAD card

[dandelion 0]

Hi there,

I was an international student who is holding F-1 visa. I have EAD card issued based on F-1/ Optional Practical Training. It valids 1 year from

July05- June06. I am married with the US citizen recently and I'm filing for AOS . I want to have my EAD expiration date extended from June06 so that I can continue working until I get the Permarnent Residence. I'm filling the I-765 (application for Employment Authorization) and my question is that

should I check on the a) Permission to accept employment or c) Renewal of my permission to accept employment

My concern is that my current EAD card is issued under F-1 catagory but my new EAD will be issued under family based catagory. Can I have my card from a different catagory renewed?

I appreciate your help .Thank you!

[gimygirl 0]

unless i'm wrong, i would apply for a new card ... your EAD under the F1 visa is only good for campus related work (or if you've graduated, it's good for employers affiliated with the school).

[dandelion 0]

Thanks for taking time for my question. Just want to correct the info so that other people wont get confused. I graduated and I use my EAD card for working with a company that's not affiliated with the school. The EAD is not limitted to the employers affiliated with the school only. It just recommends that you should work in the field related to your degree or what you studied in the school.

Any more advice will be appreicated . Thanks a lot!

[gimygirl 0]

thanx for the clarification .... i'm still gonna vote for: new card!

[kc456 0]

This is right -- you can work for whatever company you chose as long as it is in the field of the study.

I would also advise to check off a new card, since this will be a family-based application. Otherwise, if you select renewal, USCIS may start looking for an AOS-based EAD already issued and there would be none.

I think there is an area in the petition where you are asked if you had previously applied for employment authorization from USCIS, and that's where you would mention the OPT EAD.

[Fischkoepfin 1]

I would call your local USCIS-office or if necessary the national number and ask them. While you're right that your switching your status, you will officially remain in you current status until your interview. That is also the reason why people adjusting status from student visas continue to be subject to SEVIS-fees.

Good luck!