Working in the US

[6yearslater 4]

Hi all,

I don't think I have found a topic similar to what I'm looking for but when is it possible to begin working within the united states? I am going over on a K1 fiancee visa and then doing AOS after we marry, but I am wondering when I am able to begin working? Can I apply for permission to work whilst on the K1 visa? I have built up my savings however they will run out after a certain amount of time and am hoping I can work not too long after entering the US

thank you!

[Boiler 45,516]

There must be a million and one threads on this subject.

You marry, file and include application for EAD, when you get EAD c 90 days later you can work.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Adjustment of status gives you a greencard which allows you to work. But you may also apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) along with AOS. It's application fee is waived if mailed with an AOS application. That should take 60-90 days for approval while the AOS will usually take longer. You may work when you get the EAD.

Remember until you marry, get the marriage certificate back, and mail off the applications, your wait time doesn't start. Also many find it difficult to find work immediately after getting the EAD so consider that as well. Your fiance/spouse should be able to support you. That's the whole point of the Affidavit of Support.

[heo luoi 206]

Hi all,

I don't think I have found a topic similar to what I'm looking for but when is it possible to begin working within the united states? I am going over on a K1 fiancee visa and then doing AOS after we marry, but I am wondering when I am able to begin working? Can I apply for permission to work whilst on the K1 visa? I have built up my savings however they will run out after a certain amount of time and am hoping I can work not too long after entering the US

thank you!

There must be a million and one threads on this subject.

You marry, file and include application for EAD, when you get EAD c 90 days later you can work.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?autocom=custom&page=k1flow

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?autocom=custom&page=k1guide

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?autocom=custom&page=k1k3ead

Adjustment of status gives you a greencard which allows you to work. But you may also apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) along with AOS. It's application fee is waived if mailed with an AOS application. That should take 60-90 days for approval while the AOS will usually take longer. You may work when you get the EAD.

Remember until you marry, get the marriage certificate back, and mail off the applications, your wait time doesn't start. Also many find it difficult to find work immediately after getting the EAD so consider that as well. Your fiance/spouse should be able to support you. That's the whole point of the Affidavit of Support.

[6yearslater 4]

I have read somewhere it is possible to apply whilst on the fiancée visa - is this not true then? And I have not found the answers I was looking for on other subjects regardless if there's "a million and one". Thanks to everyone who has responded with appropriate information and links - I will look further into it. I was just hoping to apply to work sooner and to see if it is possible.

[6yearslater 4]

& my spouse can support me, no problem. I would just prefer not to use all of my savings as we are looking to buy new furniture for our house

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

***** Moving from UK forum to AOS from K1 forum as not country specific *****

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I have read somewhere it is possible to apply whilst on the fiancée visa - is this not true then? And I have not found the answers I was looking for on other subjects regardless if there's "a million and one". Thanks to everyone who has responded with appropriate information and links - I will look further into it. I was just hoping to apply to work sooner and to see if it is possible.

You may apply when you enter on a K1 before marriage or anything else. Form http://www.uscis.gov/i-765 But applying NOT as part of your AOS package, you pay the $380 fee. So let's say you want to do that the day you arrive in the U.S....

You arrive and get issued an I-94 that says you are allowed to stay 90 days in the U.S. That's all you have been granted, a 90 day stay. So you apply for EAD and pay $380. Then you wait on approval which takes 60-90 days. Let's assume you get the card in the mail on Day 80. It's expiration date will be the same date as your 90 day I-94 authorized entry. So you may work, but only for 10 days. So you paid $380 to get a card that expires on Day 90 (based on your K1). What if it took 90 for approval? You paid to get something invalid by the time it arrives. Not a sensible choice.

If you apply free with AOS it is different because you are an adjustment applicant. Card will expire one year from issue and could be renewed if the greencard took longer than that to be approved.

Edited October 11, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[ChasUno 101]

I have read somewhere it is possible to apply whilst on the fiancée visa - is this not true then? And I have not found the answers I was looking for on other subjects regardless if there's "a million and one". Thanks to everyone who has responded with appropriate information and links - I will look further into it. I was just hoping to apply to work sooner and to see if it is possible.

The K1 "Fiance" visa is valid only for you to enter the USA once, and to then marry within 90 days. That's all it is good for. If you do not marry within 90 days upon entry, the visa expires and you have to leave the USA else you will have overstayed and will be in breach of visa conditions. Filing for an EAD card before filing for AOS is a waste of time and money as Nick-Nick pointed out. Far better to apply for the EAD (and AP - Advance Parole) at the same time as filing for AOS to get everything sorted for the longer term, plus the EAD and AP application will be free when combined with the AOS application.

Check the main forum guides with regards what to do regarding your queries. This link will help you concerning AOS and EAD/ AP:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

Edited October 12, 2015 by ChasUno

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Check the main forum guides with regards what to do regarding your queries. This link will help you concerning AOS and EAD/ AP:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

Wrong guide Chas. That is the one for people adjusting from VWP entry.

AOS from K1 entry http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos

Tips for K1 AOS http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1aos

Edited October 12, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[6yearslater 4]

Thanks all! I appreciate it.

[ChasUno 101]

Wrong guide Chas. That is the one for people adjusting from VWP entry.

AOS from K1 entry http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos

Tips for K1 AOS http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1aos

Oops! I should've checked the details in the link more in detail before I posted.

I feel silly now.