What did you do while you were waiting for the EAD?

[Nissara 0]

I saw on other people AOS timelines that it takes about 2 months to get the EAD so I wanna know what you guys doing when you were waiting? I am pretty nervous about trying to get a job in the US because I do not have work experience here so I am trying to look for a job but I don't know if it is a waste of time because I cannot apply for a job right away anyway. I don't know what I should do when I am waiting. I am trying to find volunteer work to do to get expose to US experience and wonder what other people doing.

[Lainie B 465]

You can apply for jobs, you just can't start until you get your EAD.

[Cam54 84]

I actually worked unpaid for a company for a month before my permit came through so they hired me the day it arrived, not sure if this allowed though.

[Lainie B 465]

I actually worked unpaid for a company for a month before my permit came through so they hired me the day it arrived, not sure if this allowed though.

It's actually illegal, but it's forgiven.

[Nissara 0]

Thanks Lainie B and Cam54. And for Cam54, that is nice that the company let you work before you get the work permit because I tried that too but when they know that I don't have a work permit, they dont even want to continue talking. How did you do that? do you have special skills or what?

[Ning 619]

I saw on other people AOS timelines that it takes about 2 months to get the EAD so I wanna know what you guys doing when you were waiting? I am pretty nervous about trying to get a job in the US because I do not have work experience here so I am trying to look for a job but I don't know if it is a waste of time because I cannot apply for a job right away anyway. I don't know what I should do when I am waiting. I am trying to find volunteer work to do to get expose to US experience and wonder what other people doing.

First this isn't Thailand where we can find a way around the rules. Preforming any type of work is illegal including work you are not paid for.

Hopefully people are involved in something that also prepares them for this " U S experience " beyond work. There is a lot to do to truly be ready.

[Nissara 0]

First this isn't Thailand where we can find a way around the rules. Preforming any type of work is illegal including work you are not paid for.

Hopefully people are involved in something that also prepares them for this " U S experience " beyond work. There is a lot to do to truly be ready.

oh god! everybody knows that here isn't Thailand. And thanks for nothing because every single word in your comment isn't helpful at all and it also made me offended. The comment also reminds me of some people who like to criticize but are not willing to help. For those kind of people, they should be ignored and told to go #### themselves. And let me tell you some general things, there are always people who try to find loophole in rules no matter what country they are in. It is not just Thailand. And I already know that the US enforces its laws more strictly than Thailand, if that is what you are trying to say to me.

[Andy and Pui 16]

oh god! everybody knows that here isn't Thailand. And thanks for nothing because every single word in your comment isn't helpful at all and it also made me offended. The comment also reminds me of some people who like to criticize but are not willing to help. For those kind of people, they should be ignored and told to go #### themselves. And let me tell you some general things, there are always people who try to find loophole in rules no matter what country they are in. It is not just Thailand. And I already know that the US enforces its laws more strictly than Thailand, if that is what you are trying to say to me.

Slow down there. Ning is one of the best members from Thailand and is very helpful.

There is so much more that needs to be done besides just working. Unless you have been in the US for a few years you will need an adjustment period. Here is some of the stuff Pui did while she was wating for her ead/ap card and green card. She did a lot crochet(or any other hobby), calling home a lot using skype, using facebook a lot to keep in contact with friends and family, lots of youtube and netflix, studing for the permit test(once she had her permit I made her drive everywhere), she wanted to go to esl classes so I got her enrolled in the classes in our local school district, taking her to the thai temple here.

I think one of the most important things to get out of the house. The esl classes helped with that and Pui met friends there and through them she found out about 2 of the jobs she has had here since she could work. Another thing is getting some type of excerise like yoga, walking, or going to the gym.

[Cam54 84]

Thanks Lainie B and Cam54. And for Cam54, that is nice that the company let you work before you get the work permit because I tried that too but when they know that I don't have a work permit, they dont even want to continue talking. How did you do that? do you have special skills or what?

No special skills, it was for a job that requires a lot of training (veterinary technician) so the employer consulted her lawyer and insurance who said it was ok , I think she was greatful to be able to train someone without having to invest money in them. So I worked my butt off n they were happy to give me real job when permit came through.

[Nissara 0]

Thanks Andy and Pui, that is what I asked for in this topic.

Thanks Cam54 for sharing also It both works for you and them. thats very cool.

[Ning 619]

I saw on other people AOS timelines that it takes about 2 months to get the EAD so I wanna know what you guys doing when you were waiting? I am pretty nervous about trying to get a job in the US because I do not have work experience here so I am trying to look for a job but I don't know if it is a waste of time because I cannot apply for a job right away anyway. I don't know what I should do when I am waiting. I am trying to find volunteer work to do to get expose to US experience and wonder what other people doing.

oh god! everybody knows that here isn't Thailand. And thanks for nothing because every single word in your comment isn't helpful at all and it also made me offended. The comment also reminds me of some people who like to criticize but are not willing to help. For those kind of people, they should be ignored and told to go #### themselves. And let me tell you some general things, there are always people who try to find loophole in rules no matter what country they are in. It is not just Thailand. And I already know that the US enforces its laws more strictly than Thailand, if that is what you are trying to say to me.

Your ignorance is offensive . I'll try to be a bit more direct.

You want to operate in the shadows. You want people here to advise you about how to do what is illegal. You are already looking for jobs even after you have been told by the U S government you are NOT allowed to work yet. The exact reason you MUST have the EAD or a green card. You don't have either yet you want to know what you can do to get " U S experience ". And you want others to teach you how to get around the law. Anyone that performed any work did so illegally.

You say you are aware that the laws are enforced here in the USA. Then you ask how to circumvent those very laws. You are already doing just that. You are also asking members here on V J to break the rules of using this valuable web site by advising you on breaking those laws.

Actually, as you see in the real life case of someone that did this all by working hard and being smart while following the rules and laws, Andy and Pui. There are many of us that have been on this journey.

There are a few that just arrived with all the anger and answers that will serve to make the journey a confusing affair as we see in you case to date.

Stop breaking the laws to get what you want if you really understand you aren't in Thailand any longer. That's what I said to you.

[Ning 619]

Thanks Andy and Pui, that is what I asked for in this topic.

Thanks Cam54 for sharing also It both works for you and them. thats very cool.

And was illegal to do so.

The " company " helped themselves to free labor while training a new employee. They evaded taxes, insurance and other work related costs.

You even asked how they did that. They admitted its not legal but tell you to ask for forgiveness because they believe it will be forgiven. Again they admitted its not legal. I wonder if they told the US government about the job before the had an EAD or green card? You need to ask how they went about obtaining that forgiveness.

[steve n songsang 45]

songsang has been here almost 3 weeks now and has adjusted I believe quite well, she gets a little angry when I keep asking her if she is ok so I have stopped asking. Her "experience" has come by watching American television,crochet,e-mail and phone calls to family and friends,our travels around Chicago on my off days,thai restaurants,cooking together...we would never consider doing anything that could have a negative effect on our I-485-AOS package.Ning, as is her style,gave a direct and honest answer to the OP`s "vague" question, telling her to "go !#%& herself because you did not like her response was quite rude and unecessary. In our case,as we have a house in Thailand and spend (me) 2-3 months a year there,employment for songsang here would be hard. Having waited for the K-1 process(and ours wa s shorter than most,luckily),it would seem to us that waiting for EAD and I-131 approval would be a happy time,a time to relax in this long process.

[Ning 619]

songsang has been here almost 3 weeks now and has adjusted I believe quite well, she gets a little angry when I keep asking her if she is ok so I have stopped asking. Her "experience" has come by watching American television,crochet,e-mail and phone calls to family and friends,our travels around Chicago on my off days,thai restaurants,cooking together...we would never consider doing anything that could have a negative effect on our I-485-AOS package.Ning, as is her style,gave a direct and honest answer to the OP`s "vague" question, telling her to "go !#%& herself because you did not like her response was quite rude and unecessary. In our case,as we have a house in Thailand and spend (me) 2-3 months a year there,employment for songsang here would be hard. Having waited for the K-1 process(and ours wa s shorter than most,luckily),it would seem to us that waiting for EAD and I-131 approval would be a happy time,a time to relax in this long process.

This is exactly what I was talking about. Here we see another Thai immigrant that is really doing everything possible to prepare to become an American. Not someone that sounds like they are here on vacation.

I have a suggestion for Songsang that I will send in a P M in regards to working and learning. I hope for Songsang to be as happy as I am to be an American citizen one day. That is the total true American experience.

[Nissara 0]

Your ignorance is offensive . I'll try to be a bit more direct.

You want to operate in the shadows. You want people here to advise you about how to do what is illegal. You are already looking for jobs even after you have been told by the U S government you are NOT allowed to work yet. The exact reason you MUST have the EAD or a green card. You don't have either yet you want to know what you can do to get " U S experience ". And you want others to teach you how to get around the law. Anyone that performed any work did so illegally.

You say you are aware that the laws are enforced here in the USA. Then you ask how to circumvent those very laws. You are already doing just that. You are also asking members here on V J to break the rules of using this valuable web site by advising you on breaking those laws.

Actually, as you see in the real life case of someone that did this all by working hard and being smart while following the rules and laws, Andy and Pui. There are many of us that have been on this journey.

There are a few that just arrived with all the anger and answers that will serve to make the journey a confusing affair as we see in you case to date.

Stop breaking the laws to get what you want if you really understand you aren't in Thailand any longer. That's what I said to you.

Wait a minute lady, I did not want other people here to teach me how to get around the laws. I asked because I want to know others' experience and it does not mean that I am going to do it. AND do you REALLY know that looking for a job is illegal? Taking a job is illegal. And there is nothing wrong with preparing myself to get a job so that I can accept it when I am legally allowed to. And again your comment isn't any useful. Andy and Pui suggest going to english class, I am not going to do that because my english is already advanced. I asked Cam54 how she did it, it does not mean that I am going to do it. Do you get it?

The point is I asked people experience with what they do to prepare themselves to get a job before they get the work permit. You chose to misinterpret my intention. After this clarification, I hope you understand it. But if you still do not understand it and do not have anything useful to contribute, you should shut up.

I still insist, people who like to criticize and are not willing to help should be ignored and told to go f themselves.