One quick question

[canuckbunny 0]

I entered the US as a K-1 I'm just wondering if I have no pressing need at the moment to work can I wait for AOS to go through and then work once I have that green card or is EAD a must? I assumed that once you had a green card it qualifies as work authorization...but I have been wrong before. Thanks for any help.

[raymaga 25]

If you have no desire or need to work asap, then you do not need to apply for the EAD. Once you receive your Green Card, you will be able to work.

[canuckbunny 0]

Thanks....that's what I was thinking. I appreciate the quick reply.

[Becky 0]

For sure, you can wait to get your greencard for work authorisation. I have read, however, that if you want to get your drivers licence, some places are only accepting an EAD as proof of residency (before getting a greencard, that is). Either that or an official identification card, but I'm not sure what is involved with applying for one of those.

Good luck.

[CarpetFuzz 0]

My poor husband didn't get his SSN before we got married, and they denied him when he tried after. Without it, we have to wait for approval of EAD or AOS (whichever comes first, at this rate...) and in the mean time he is unable to do anything.... He can't join my bank account, he can't get a driver's license, he can't work... He does a lot of sitting at home, while I go to work all day.

Basically, just be prepared that you may be doing a lot of nothing for a while because it can take up to a year or more in some cases to get a green card. Some are luckier, but just be prepared if you choose that route. EAD is often issued within about 100 days, and opens a few more doors for immigrants than just the ability to work.

[motu 6]

Like others have stated - it all depends on what you want to do or not do. My wife has to learn English before she can find a job (if she wants to work) - that is going on for the last 5 months and may take another year for her to get any good! In the meantime, we didn't apply for EAD (why spend $200) and our AOS interview was last week, so we really didn't need the EAD at all. Good Luck