EAD is it worth it??

[ricnally 259]

If you apply for ap & ead with the aos, how long until you're able to work? I need to know how long I'll be covering the expenses for both of us (at least with the tsc backlog, I'll be able to save up a lot of money...though I'd rather it be sooner cuz I miss him)

It's 60 - 90 days but bear in mind that you'll need your marriage certificate to apply for AOS. Some people don't realize that it could take up to 6 weeks to have your marriage certificate in hand after the wedding, so be sure to investigate that while making wedding plans.

[Julie+Matt 84]

2-3 months? Awesome. Matt & I aren't having a wedding...too expensive. We are just signing a certificate in front of my parents. And AP allows you to leave the country before getting your green card, right?

[stazie1 0]

Please can someone clarify on the AP. It is my understanding that you need to have a valid reason for applying such as a sick relative, the form requests documentation to support the application and clearly states in the instructions that vacation is not a valid reason for the application.

Thanks

[Fan_Dancer 171]

I think that is Emergency AP. I listed vacation on my AP form and it went though just fine - both of them (the initial and the re-newel). I also guessed the dates and location of the vacations and, again, no issues there.

[ChicagoSarah 127]

Apply for the EAD/AP card. It's free with AOS. And you don't need a definitive reason for the regular AP.

We applied for AOS back in November, and my husband got out into the interview waiver group. Thankfully we had applied for the EAD/AP, so we've been to England and he's been working for 2 months, and his green card arrived today (YAY). Check out my signature!

[Avery Cates 1,141]

Hi all,

we have just received my K1 visa and I am in the US alsready. So now I am just wondering

1. Do I have to file for EAD or is it optional?? I believe it is optional, but I am not sure...

2. Is it worth spending the extra money? How long does it typically take for the EAD to come through and when did you all get your Green Card?

I am just wondering because I have two friends, both received the Green Card very soon after EAD (one 4 weeks later and one six weeks later).

I would love to hear from you all and what your experience was.

THANK YOU ALL and GOOD LUCK to everybody with your journey!

Apply for it at the same time you AoS and it's free.

There's no reason not to do it.

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Please can someone clarify on the AP. It is my understanding that you need to have a valid reason for applying such as a sick relative, the form requests documentation to support the application and clearly states in the instructions that vacation is not a valid reason for the application.

Thanks

Not quite. You can just say you have business to attend on a given date, say 2 months after filing. The actual date you enter and reason matters very little. If it was the case -to what you say- then they should be able to get you an AP within days..not the case. You cant predict someone getting sick 2-3 months ahead, which is how long it takes to process the AP. What is often the case is that people who didn't apply and end up needing one for a sickness case cannot expedite. It costs zero to request if you do it together with the 485, takes a few minutes to complete the form....You never know whether you might need it, but best to have it and not need it, rather than needing it and not having it

[Andy and Pui 16]

I agree with applying for the AP. Pui's brother unexpectedly passed away at age 29. We had to request an emergency AP since she did not have her bio metrics. Since we had applied for the AP for the AOS they gave her the emergency AP and she had no problems entering the US, they were more curious how she knew about it when she returned.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hi all,

we have just received my K1 visa and I am in the US alsready. So now I am just wondering

1. Do I have to file for EAD or is it optional?? I believe it is optional, but I am not sure...

2. Is it worth spending the extra money? How long does it typically take for the EAD to come through and when did you all get your Green Card?

I am just wondering because I have two friends, both received the Green Card very soon after EAD (one 4 weeks later and one six weeks later).

I would love to hear from you all and what your experience was.

THANK YOU ALL and GOOD LUCK to everybody with your journey!

Worth it? It is free to file the I-131 & I-765 if done along with the I-485 for AOS. EAD card arrives in 2-4 usually. Green Card arrived in 4-8 months usually.

[nobbie 105]

Please can someone clarify on the AP. It is my understanding that you need to have a valid reason for applying such as a sick relative, the form requests documentation to support the application and clearly states in the instructions that vacation is not a valid reason for the application.

Thanks

You do not have to have a reason to apply for AP along with AoS. I have done is recently, when I submitted the I131 (with all the other stuff) I made up a date about 3 months in advance and said I have planned a trip back to visit. Also make sure you say you need a multi trip AP.

No extra fees are involved when you apply for AP and EAD along with AoS.

It's all in the guides and anyone who does not do it is missing out. I applied in Late Oct, got EAD/AP early Jan (72 days) but still do not have GC so I would be stumped without it.

[andreaj14 4]

truly truly truly -- yea verily and filled with truthiness -

the fee for EAD is waived - nullified to zero - when filed with the I-485.

ya don't get many freebies with USCIS - might as well take advantage of this one

Absolutely! Just go ahead and do all three, since you are filing the paperwork anyways. The other forms are way shorter than the form for the I-485. There is no additional fee for the other forms.

[Amy_and_Victor 159]

Is it worth spending the extra money? How long does it typically take for the EAD to come through and when did you all get your Green Card?

I am just wondering because I have two friends, both received the Green Card very soon after EAD (one 4 weeks later and one six weeks later).

I would love to hear from you all and what your experience was.

THANK YOU ALL and GOOD LUCK to everybody with your journey!

My GC arrived about 4 months after EAD, so for me it definitely did worth it. By the time when I found Green Card in my mailbox, I already had 2 part time jobs I got with EAD.

- Victor from Russia

[Julie+Matt 84]

Does AP come around the time of EAD? Cuz I was talking to Matt today & we discussed flying back to England to visit before he starts working that way he doesn't have to try to take vacation with a new job & I'm sure he will want to visit his family after we get married.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

The EAD and the AP are now issued as a single card if you have requested both, so they come together. I am going to add my voice to all of those saying 'yes, it is more than worth it, even if it there was fee, it would still be worth it!"

With the EAD you have proof of your legal immigration status; you can get a State ID or a Driver's License valid for the same length of time as the EAD; you can legally work; you can apply for a SSN if you did not take advantage of applying for one before your I-94 expired; plus you have US proof of identity that will help you if you are trying to use a credit card or some other reason for having photo id and you will not have to carry around your passport.

My green card took nearly 2 years to be approved and without the EAD and AP it would have been a nightmare!

Since there is no fee involved - go for it. You are actually risking nothing and gaining much.

[ChicagoSarah 127]

The EAD and the AP are now issued as a single card if you have requested both, so they come together. I am going to add my voice to all of those saying 'yes, it is more than worth it, even if it there was fee, it would still be worth it!"

With the EAD you have proof of your legal immigration status; you can get a State ID or a Driver's License valid for the same length of time as the EAD; you can legally work; you can apply for a SSN if you did not take advantage of applying for one before your I-94 expired; plus you have US proof of identity that will help you if you are trying to use a credit card or some other reason for having photo id and you will not have to carry around your passport.

My green card took nearly 2 years to be approved and without the EAD and AP it would have been a nightmare!

Since there is no fee involved - go for it. You are actually risking nothing and gaining much.

All of this +1

Also, before he gets a job is a great time to go. As soon as my husband had a job offer and start date, we went back to England with the EAD/AP. definitely a great option if you can manage!