September 2009 K-1 Visa Filers

[kjenkins86 5]

Jenn your place sounds incredible! I have to ask why too on the 4 bathrooms lol, but I am loving the options ..shall I pee here today... or ..over here!!

That's funny!

[kjenkins86 5]

She's got her visa in hand! We are hoping for an April 2nd arrival. However, my brother-in-law that is in Iran right now said due to business projects she could be here a week earlier. Sooooo she should be here the end of this month or the beginning of next. Can you believe this, she's coming and we don't know exactly when.

KJenkins thanks for the SSN links! Congrats on the dress, and I agree Small and intimate is good.

I don't think anyone's arrival was as much of a surprise as Glenoi's the minute we knew the visa was ready for pick up, I bought the ticket, had him speed to dhl and made it just in time for check in.

I hope she's coming soon sop your son isn't alone in his apartment for too long

[kjenkins86 5]

As far as I know, JFK is the only place that will give the stamp.. though I did read a post from someone that said they got it when they came in through Detroit. They don't give it in Washington DC or I would be having Fuat come in through my own airport.. instead of going all the way to New York.

I think the reason most POE's won't give it is the controversy on whether or not it is a valid EAD. Still not sure about that.. so many things say it is NOT valid.. so many things say it is. Even as an HR Director I can't be sure, because there is so much government information that contradicts itself. Even the instruction booklet for employers completing the I9 form has contradictory information. All I know is that I had someone working with the stamp last year and he had no problems with AOS.. and they KNEW he was working with the stamp on his I94... and the government page about this says they can work ( updated March of 2010)...even though one page of the I9 instructions says they can't.. and another says they can.

OH.. and congratulations on her having that visa in hand. It's been a long wait for your family

Sigh. TOO much confusion on that darn stamp. Plus I found out that the social security card they'll get (as a k-1 holder)will say "not authorized to work without EAD" so what the heck?

[Maggie_Kenyth 1]

what the heck is EAD

[Martyshk 137]

what the heck is EAD

Employment Authorization Document

[meandhim 0]

Hi everyone, I have been trying to follow along with everyone's posts but really haven't had a chance to reply. Congrats on so many of you getting your Visa's and good luck to those of you with interviews and POE's coming up! I look forward to hearing how everyone does, and how everyone is enjoying being with their significant others. I know how happy I am to finally be in Tampa with my man

I figured I would try to give you a bit of information about SSN's and EAD. As a K1 visa holder you are allowed to apply for a SSN, but wait it does say to wait 2 weeks so you are registered in the system. All I had to bring was my visa, passport and birth certificate. It took about a week to get my card in the mail and my SSN says right on it "Valid only with work authorization" So even though I have the card, I still had to apply for EAD (Form I765) so I can work. I applied for it with my AOS and AP travel document after we married. I am hoping it doesn't take too long to get that because I am going a bit stir crazy here. After you apply for your EAD you get a letter in the mail for a biometrics appointment, they fingerprint you, take your picture, and then they will send you an employment authorization card in..who knows how long! I guess if you get the EAD stamp in the passport right away, then you will still just need to apply for a SSN to work, although I am not sure how long the EAD stamp is valid for and you may need to apply again once you adjust status.

I hope this helps with any confusion!

[Maggie_Kenyth 1]

this sounds..unpleasant..

[kjenkins86 5]

Maggie: more like confusing and frustrating. It canreally be a strain on your pocket when you're providing for 2, and to get that stamp and not be sure if you can use it or not is very annoying. I know one thing that's a shocker to me is how we're going to have to struggle to keep it together financially. I personally make really good money BUT I guess I never thought about the BILLS I pay with each paycheck, I was only looking at the fact that I make way over the poverty line for 2 people. I don't regret having him here but I do wish I considered marrying him in Jamaica so he'd have his green card as soon as he comes, thus being able to work.

It's a good thing he's understanding, our taste isn't too high and we know things will get better. (Now that I read what I wrote, how did I get off topic? Lol)

[Maggie_Kenyth 1]

It will work out. Hopefully he'll get the EAD or whatever it is lol... very quickly and land a job quickly on top of that. The whole financial aspect is a big change for everyone going through this I think.. and it can be hard for the first while. Hopefully, we will all manage to get through it without too much of a headache.. finances can be such a downer on a relationship. I personally am going to have a hard time being comfortable with someone else providing for me for awhile. I'm use to working and doing things on my own...lol

I hope you both manage to work out a budget that suites you well though, and that isn't too much of a strain.

[kjenkins86 5]

Yea, I'm not worried, we'll be fine, if we get this far and we're still sane, we WILL be ok.

[Jenn and Fuat 2]

Wow, I would ask the same thing "why?" Lol, you bought that place Jenn?

No.. I rent. My company has moved me to other parks every few years, so I always hesitate to buy. Never know how long I am going to be some place and the market has not been great... so, renting makes it easy to just pack up and move if I am transferred someplace else.

[Jenn and Fuat 2]

Sigh. TOO much confusion on that darn stamp. Plus I found out that the social security card they'll get (as a k-1 holder)will say "not authorized to work without EAD" so what the heck?

The stamp on the I94 is an EAD ( Though we won't start that conversation again about whether or not it's accepted by employers).. The green card will become his EAD when he has it.

[Jenn and Fuat 2]

Hi everyone, I have been trying to follow along with everyone's posts but really haven't had a chance to reply. Congrats on so many of you getting your Visa's and good luck to those of you with interviews and POE's coming up! I look forward to hearing how everyone does, and how everyone is enjoying being with their significant others. I know how happy I am to finally be in Tampa with my man

I figured I would try to give you a bit of information about SSN's and EAD. As a K1 visa holder you are allowed to apply for a SSN, but wait it does say to wait 2 weeks so you are registered in the system. All I had to bring was my visa, passport and birth certificate. It took about a week to get my card in the mail and my SSN says right on it "Valid only with work authorization" So even though I have the card, I still had to apply for EAD (Form I765) so I can work. I applied for it with my AOS and AP travel document after we married. I am hoping it doesn't take too long to get that because I am going a bit stir crazy here. After you apply for your EAD you get a letter in the mail for a biometrics appointment, they fingerprint you, take your picture, and then they will send you an employment authorization card in..who knows how long! I guess if you get the EAD stamp in the passport right away, then you will still just need to apply for a SSN to work, although I am not sure how long the EAD stamp is valid for and you may need to apply again once you adjust status.

I hope this helps with any confusion!

The EAD stamp is valid for the length of the K1 visa.. 90 days. You do have to apply for EAD when you do AOS. Thanks for the info on what was needed for the SSN. I was trying to find out the info, since only the passport and visa are required for my J1 employees. I was wondering about the birth certificate and if Fuat would need that.

[Seb928s 2]

Thanks for all the wishes

I will tell you guys how the POE went once I find out tomorrow night. I really should get to bed now since I have to wake up at 4:45am to go to Sebring Florida tomorrow for the 12 hour race. Everybody stay safe and have a great weekend.

Thanks Jenn for the information. Let us know how the POE goes for you guys.

Take care mates!

[Jenn and Fuat 2]

OHH.. I bet you are excited that she is arriving tomorrow. Even if she will stay in New York a while before coming to Florida.

I'll be watching to see if you post anything about POE. I am hoping we have no issues on Sunday and it all goes quickly.