My first post in this forum..

[ninamyers 0]

Hi everyone,

Just made the transition into the AOS forum, since I received my visa a few days ago and I'm flying out on thursday. We're hoping to get the EAD stamp at JFK (I've got a 2 leg journey, LHR-JFK, JFK-LAX), which will see me through for 90 days, and we're going to be fililng for AOS, EAD and AP almost as soon as I get there in the hope that the work permits overlap!

Anyway, I do actually have a question - why on earth does it cost so much to file for AOS, EAD, and AP????? It's awful! I don't remember paying this much to file the I129... But that was such a long time ago...

Maria

[Waiting in Vancouver 6]

Hi everyone,

Just made the transition into the AOS forum, since I received my visa a few days ago and I'm flying out on thursday. We're hoping to get the EAD stamp at JFK (I've got a 2 leg journey, LHR-JFK, JFK-LAX), which will see me through for 90 days, and we're going to be fililng for AOS, EAD and AP almost as soon as I get there in the hope that the work permits overlap!

Anyway, I do actually have a question - why on earth does it cost so much to file for AOS, EAD, and AP????? It's awful! I don't remember paying this much to file the I129... But that was such a long time ago...

Maria

Your right you didn't pay this much up front for your I-129F but you may have after your medical, airfare ect ... But it is alot of money that is why we decided to not apply for AP and take the chances that I didn't need to return to Canada for any kind of emergency ... We applied for AOS and EAD only and I believe the total cost was around $575.00 US ... I think AP adds another $180.00 to that figure but don't take my word on that ...

You don't necessarily have to apply for EAD and AP if you are trying to keep your costs down ... With many K-1ers being transfered to CSC for speedy approvals for AOS without an interview you may actually receive your green card before these 2 documents ... But as you know with this system many things can happen and delay your case such as a FBI check ...

It really is a gamble, but you could apply for AOS only (or possibly EAD as well if you want to work) and hope for a CSC transfer ... And if you need to get an AP for some kind of emergency then you could always apply for that later ...

It really is a big decision to not apply for EAD/AP and then get major delays in your AOS application and then have a problem where you need to start working or have to return to your home country for some kind of emergency ... I am by no means telling you that you should do this I am mearly explaining the options to you ...

[sjoefl01 1]

Congratulations on your visa and welcome aboard.

It costs so much because USCIS attempte to be self supporting. Their funds come from fees that they charge for services. Unfortunately this fee based system takes away the incentive to rush. If they move too quickly they lose the funds from EAD and AP. If things went too smoothly the government would begin to reduce their forces and they would risk job loss.

[KarenCee 3]

Welcome to the US! Hope the journey is smooth. Yes, it does cost a lot to file all those apps...a lot more than the initial K1. Oh well...it's worth it though.

[samantha_lou 0]

I got my EAD very quickly, around a month after filing - I was very impressed at how fast it came. My actual greencard took around eight months, so I felt it was definitely worth filing for the EAD - but every state and district is different, we were filing in Seattle.