EAD pointless to apply before green card?

[Patrick&Chloe 7]

Hey everyone,

Finally arrived in the U.S a couple a days ago and I'm starting to look at what is required for the AOS, I've heard a few people say that its pointless to apply for a EAD before you get your green card.

So any extra money I don't have to spend would be helpful.

What do you guys think?

Thanks.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

If you file for EAD with AOS, it's free. So you're not saving any money by not applying for it.

The green card replaces the EAD, so the only time to file for EAD is when you don't have the green card.

[Oksana & Max 94]

Agree with other poster. No money savings whether you apply for it or not. It is still the same fee $1070. However you will be able to start working before you get your GC. Getting GC may take sometime, so I would recommend to file EAD as well.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I'm not sure whether you're referring to applying for the EAD prior to AOS or EAD WITH AOS.

Filing for EAD before AOS IS pointless. it's only valid till the I-94 expires and by the time you get it there's barely any time left.

Applying WITH AOS isn't pointless. I had my EAD at least a month before my GC. GC was taking 5 months for a while there and EAD only 2 so you were able to work for an extra 3 months.. plus, the fee is waived.

File for AP and EAD with AOS. The fee is still the same. Have a look at the AOS thread in my signature, it should help. Congrats on starting!

[baron555 934]

Hey everyone,

Finally arrived in the U.S a couple a days ago and I'm starting to look at what is required for the AOS, I've heard a few people say that its pointless to apply for a EAD before you get your green card.

So any extra money I don't have to spend would be helpful.

What do you guys think?

Thanks.

When you file the EAD application along with the GC application, it's free. So free doesn't require any money.

[SF2007 48]

I think you should apply for your EAD/AP combo card. No additional fee when applied for with your AOS and should anything happen to your family abroad, you would then be allowed to leave the U.S. and come back. You cannot leave the U.S until you have received your AP or green card without abandoning your petition.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I think you should apply for your EAD/AP combo card. No additional fee when applied for with your AOS and should anything happen to your family abroad, you would then be allowed to leave the U.S. and come back. You cannot leave the U.S until you have received your AP or green card without abandoning your petition.

You can't "apply" for the combo card. You apply for EAD and AP together and you'll get the combo card (most likely) but you can't apply for the "combo card" itself.. just to be clear.

[Patrick&Chloe 7]

Oh I understand, I originally thought that when you were to file for AOS was JUST for the conditional permanent residence. And if you were to file for EAD it would cost an extra $350. So I'll file both for EAD/AP when doing my AOS.

Thank you very much for the help!

[paul_kay 31]

Think about the money you'll earn in a month with EAD before the GC arrives. That would be nice!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Think about the money you'll earn in a month with EAD before the GC arrives. That would be nice!

Some people don't get jobs immediately. I personally prefer to think of the EAD as the ability to get a drivers licence and other freedoms just that little bit earlier.

[paul_kay 31]

Some people don't get jobs immediately. I personally prefer to think of the EAD as the ability to get a drivers licence and other freedoms just that little bit earlier.

Yeah. I'm just citing an advantage and speaking from my own experience. I will start working as soon as my EAD arrives as I got a job offer already.