Working before work permit in U.S.?

[unknownuser 13]

Can you work in the U.S. before you get your work permit in either of the following cases?

• Working for my company in Belgium
• Internship/Volunteering contract with company X (at most reimbursed for expenses)
• Helping neigbors or people in your village for a really small amount?

Or do I really have to wait and sit home for 6-9 months? I am a programmer. I can earn also money from Google Adsense while I am waiting. But basically the idea of not working at all for 6-9 months frightens me a bit. I don't want to appear lazy when I start looking for a job. Even now I am working mostly 10-12 hours per day to leave a good reputation in Belgium.

[A'n'L 735]

Hi,

1) Grey area - different opinions exist

2) Nope

3) Nope

Importanly, if you get married ASAP and file EAD with your AOS - you should'n have to wait more than 3-4 months to work after POE:

[Boiler 45,486]

Possibly

No

No

Begs the question why you chose the K1?

[mallafri76 1,012]

No, you cannot work until you get your EAD.

I'm with Boiler, if it was important for you not to be away from the workforce for too long, why choose the K-1, a visa you know you can't work on until you get your EAD?!?! Due to a number of factors, including the career path I'm on, it was also very important for me to be able to look for jobs as soon as I entered the US, hence we went for the CR/IR-1 visa.

[unknownuser 13]

Possibly

No

No

Begs the question why you chose the K1?

Basically we met in November and then saw each other for the first time in January. We just wanted to get over with the immigration process. H1B is practically impossible, specially for someone who just started his career. Her brother already had experience with a K1 marrying someone from the Philippines.

So technically the best way I can work on my career is still develop software I can sell as soon as I get my EAD I assume?

Another question, how did you guys move your savings from your bank in your home country to the U.S.? Should I be closing my bank account in Belgium as fast as possible to avoid high taxes from the IRS?.

[Unidentified 2,930]

Basically we met in November and then saw each other for the first time in January. We just wanted to get over with the immigration process. H1B is practically impossible, specially for someone who just started his career. Her brother already had experience with a K1 marrying someone from the Philippines.

So technically the best way I can work on my career is still develop software I can sell as soon as I get my EAD I assume?

Another question, how did you guys move your savings from your bank in your home country to the U.S.? Should I be closing my bank account in Belgium as fast as possible to avoid high taxes from the IRS?.

So basically you don't really know your spouse and just wanted to come to the US ASAP.

File for AOS and ge your EAD in 3 months.

IRS doesn't care about your bank account in Belgium.

[Boiler 45,486]

At least he is honest.

[Lemonslice 4,840]

Another question, how did you guys move your savings from your bank in your home country to the U.S.? Should I be closing my bank account in Belgium as fast as possible to avoid high taxes from the IRS?.

I kept one Canadian bank account (plus my retirement accounts). No tax to be paid in my situation, but I have to report them.

Look at this:

https://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Report-of-Foreign-Bank-and-Financial-Accounts-FBAR

[B3zo_Mimo 4]

Can you work in the U.S. before you get your work permit in either of the following cases?

• Working for my company in Belgium
• Internship/Volunteering contract with company X (at most reimbursed for expenses)
• Helping neigbors or people in your village for a really small amount?

Or do I really have to wait and sit home for 6-9 months? I am a programmer. I can earn also money from Google Adsense while I am waiting. But basically the idea of not working at all for 6-9 months frightens me a bit. I don't want to appear lazy when I start looking for a job. Even now I am working mostly 10-12 hours per day to leave a good reputation in Belgium.

I think u can if upon entry u obtain a work stamp on ur passport then u can work for 3 month after entering the states and if u can get married fast and then adjust for status u might have to wait one month only before obtaining ur ead

Edited April 3, 2016 by B3zo_Mimo

[Boiler 45,486]

I think u can if upon entry u obtain a work stamp on ur passport then u can work for 3 month after entering the states and if u can get married fast and then adjust for status u might have to wait one month only before obtaining ur ead

No

[Unidentified 2,930]

I think u can if upon entry u obtain a work stamp on ur passport then u can work for 3 month after entering the states and if u can get married fast and then adjust for status u might have to wait one month only before obtaining ur ead

No. Please don't post if you don't know. The OP won't be helped by guesses.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

The entry stamp stopped being issued to K1 holders in 2008 or 2009 , so if the OP can program a time machine maybe that idea would work but otherwise that idea is horridly out of date.

[B3zo_Mimo 4]

There is always those people who have to answer in a nasty way to others, can't u just be normal and say the information is wrong nicely. It's called forum for a reason if I have stated wrong information which by the way I have read multiple time on VJ, just correct and do not use words such horridly or ask me or any other member not to post here, because it's the job of moderators.

[Unidentified 2,930]

No one is telling anyone to stop posting. Just recommend checking facts before posting as guessing is not helpful.

[Boiler 45,486]

because it's the job of moderators.

Actually it is not, never seen a post deleted for incorrect information.