Confused about employment authorization

[adarklingplain 0]

I am currently working in Florida on a Q-1 Cultural Exchange Visa which only authorizes me to work for one employer. My husband and I are considering either adjusting status or filing for a CR1 visa - it's a bit of a long story as to why this is!

One of the reasons we're a bit confused as to whether adjust status or not is in regards to filing for an EAD. If by the time we send the entire AOS package off, and I have 6 months remaining on my Q-1 visa, at what point (if any) will the Q-1 be invalidated? If I have another 6 months on my Q-1 visa left and as such am entitled to work for those 6 months, am I fine to apply for an EAD and continue my employment? Or will filing for adjustment of status and for an EAD render my Q-1 invalid, meaning that I will have to stop working until the EAD is authorized at which point I would be free to seek employment anywhere I liked?

Sorry if this is confusing... I'd happily clarify any points if this doesn't make much sense!

Thanks a lot.

Edited November 20, 2013 by adarklingplain

[Hypnos 6,576]

Usually, if you are in a valid nonimmigrant status (typically F-1) and apply for AoS then you remain in that existing status until you assert any privileges based on your pending AoS. This could be: travelling on AP, or working for an off-campus employer and presenting your EAD as proof you can work. At that point you go out of F-1 and enter "AoS pending".

I can't 100% say for sure it's the same as for Q-1, but I'd be surprised if it wasn't.

In short, I think you'd be fine to apply for AoS and apply for an EAD, and your valid Q-1 status wouldn't be invalidated until you used either your AP or EAD from your pending AoS.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Yep. You can keep working. Your visa will be terminated immediately upon AOS receipt, but your status won't. So that means you can continue working like before, but you can't travel without AP.

[WillyLin 13]

Sorry to steal your post, I have one question, that I am current on F1 and doing AOS, I already have a SSN but with limited condition on it, Will I need to get a new Social security card after I get my EAD?

[Hypnos 6,576]

No.