Advantage of EAD?

[hawaii50 0]

Looking at some timelines, it looks like it takes about 4mo at best to get I-485 approved. For EAD, about 3mo. Is the only advantage in apply for EAD that you can work 1month sooner? Does EAD have to be submitted at the same time as I-485? Thanks.

[moosemilk 0]

For K1 we are waiting over a year in some cases so EAD is useful.

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

Looking at some timelines, it looks like it takes about 4mo at best to get I-485 approved. For EAD, about 3mo. Is the only advantage in apply for EAD that you can work 1month sooner? Does EAD have to be submitted at the same time as I-485? Thanks.

Some wait 6, 8 and 10 months for the I-485 approval. It allows someone to get their SSN if they did not get it while their I-94 was still valid. It can be used in many states to get a license or state ID. Plus, the employment factor. I will also apply for AP too. You never know if you will want or need to travel outside the US and return while waiting for your green card. They are both free when filed with the I-485, so why not?

[agrabs 250]

And for K1 your I94 expires 90 days after entering the country so, after the i94 expires you have no immigration documents to show until you receive your EAD. This became an issue for my hubby with obtaining a driver's license - they will only issue you a driver license for the duration of your I94, They would only give him temporary license that expired with I94. so now we have to wait for EAD approval for him to have any "valid immigration papers" to show. Until we receive the EAD we are stuck in a limbo with nothing to show that he is in status - in fact the lady at the dmv tried to tell me he was here illegally since his 194 was expired. This has come up a couple of times, the driver's license, adding his name to the lease. It might not seem like that big of a deal but those 6 weeks or maybe more will sure make a difference for us.

[didopage 337]

I agree with Jay-Kay. The AOS approval may take a long time while the EAD will be approved in 2-3 months. It's free to apply for it with the AOS, the paperwork is relatively easy to do (easy form, a few more photocopies, id pics) as some documents are the same as the ones asked for the AOS paperwork. So as said, why not apply for it?

If your green card is approved quickly, the EAD may not be useful, problem is you can't know if your green card will be approved in 2 or 10 months.

PS: It's free if you apply for it at the same time as the AOS, or if you did while your AOS is pending (but why do it after when you can do it at the same time). And yes, you put your AOS and EAD (and AP if you wish) applications all in the same envelope.

Edited October 18, 2012 by didopage

[hawaii50 0]

For K1 we are waiting over a year in some cases so EAD is useful.

The I-485 is for my spouse who is already in the US (Was here on H1B, but that expired recently).

Thanks for the info... Didn't know EAD would be free if we submit at same time as AOS. Nice

I agree with Jay-Kay. The AOS approval may take a long time while the EAD will be approved in 2-3 months. It's free to apply for it with the AOS, the paperwork is relatively easy to do (easy form, a few more photocopies, id pics) as some documents are the same as the ones asked for the AOS paperwork. So as said, why not apply for it?

If your green card is approved quickly, the EAD may not be useful, problem is you can't know if your green card will be approved in 2 or 10 months.

PS: It's free if you apply for it at the same time as the AOS, or if you did while your AOS is pending (but why do it after when you can do it at the same time). And yes, you put your AOS and EAD (and AP if you wish) applications all in the same envelope.

[djricky4 67]

Looking at some timelines, it looks like it takes about 4mo at best to get I-485 approved. For EAD, about 3mo. Is the only advantage in apply for EAD that you can work 1month sooner? Does EAD have to be submitted at the same time as I-485? Thanks.

there is no telling on how long AOS will take. EAD and AP are free, why not apply for them so you can move freely while waiting on Green card.

[Moomin 292]

Looking at some timelines, it looks like it takes about 4mo at best to get I-485 approved. For EAD, about 3mo. Is the only advantage in apply for EAD that you can work 1month sooner? Does EAD have to be submitted at the same time as I-485? Thanks.

In a very few states, the police may ask to your immigration status in which cae, it's nice to have the EAD card rather than carrying around NOA1. This is a rare scenario though, yet it hadn't been mentioned.

While you techincally can drive around on a foreign driver's license(nonimmigrant/immigrant visa) until you establish residency/get greencard, I'd play it safe and get it exchanged. Usually EAD is accepted as proof of legal status in most states.

It took over 5 months from EAD in hand until greencard was in hand in my case. Besides that, I didn't really get frustrated by waiting around for the greencard because the EAD basically opened the door to whatever I've needed so far regarding getting settled.