EAD card before and after marriage on a K1 visa

[Dannyboy11 0]

Hi folks,

A question on the EAD...

I know that after the foreign K1 holder marries the US citizen, he/she can apply for AOS and EAD.

Can the K1 visa holder apply for the EAD before the wedding while in the US, and apply right after the wedding when doing the AOS?

What I am hoping for is that if both of these EAD cards are processed, it would allow for a seamless transition, allowing one to work before (albeit for a short period) and after the wedding.

Let me know what you think!

Thanks

[kefir10 3]

Getting the EAD before AOS is a waste of money and time. It will take them 60-90 days to process it and it is only valid until the K-1 expires. The best strategy is applying for AOS as soon as possible and include EAD with it.

[watdog 8]

Nope, EAD requires copies of marriage certificate for K-1 visa holders.

[sweet cakes 326]

Getting the EAD before AOS is a waste of money and time. It will take them 60-90 days to process it and it is only valid until the K-1 expires. The best strategy is applying for AOS as soon as possible and include EAD with it.

This is correct, except that the EAD will expire when the I-94 expires, not when the K-1 visa expires. The K-1 visa expires at the POE.

To OP: Agreed with Kefir, that it is not advisable to apply for EAD prior to AOS since processing time is normally later than the I-94 validity.

Edited May 7, 2014 by sweet cakes

[JohnR! 5,495]

Hi folks,

A question on the EAD...

I know that after the foreign K1 holder marries the US citizen, he/she can apply for AOS and EAD.

Can the K1 visa holder apply for the EAD before the wedding while in the US, and apply right after the wedding when doing the AOS?

What I am hoping for is that if both of these EAD cards are processed, it would allow for a seamless transition, allowing one to work before (albeit for a short period) and after the wedding.

Let me know what you think!

Thanks

It is a waste of money. Any EAD you obtain previous to starting your AOS will be valid for the duration of the I-94, which means by the time you receive it, chances are your I-94 will be nearing its expiration.