Employment Authorization Document Question

[RainbowMonkey 24]

Hi! I entered the US last January 2016 on a K-1 Visa. Got married last February 2016 and my I-94 is expiring on April 20th. We are still on the process of gathering our documents to submit for Adjustment of Status, Employment Authorization Document and Advance Parole. Hopefully before April 20 or a few weeks after, we'll be able to submit it.

My concern is, I know it usually takes a couple of months to get the green card, work permit and everything from the USCIS and I'm thinking about looking for a job and help with the bills or something. Is it a bad idea to get a job in my situation? (expiring I-94 and pending AOS application) Will it affect my AOS, EAD and AP application if i try to work without a permit?

Thank y'all and hoping for your responses.

[ch3john 308]

You can not work without EAD or green card. You must have one before you can work.

[Lainie B 465]

You can look for a job, but you cannot start until you have either the EAD or green card in your hand.

[RainbowMonkey 24]

You can not work without EAD or green card. You must have one before you can work.

You can look for a job, but you cannot start until you have either the EAD or green card in your hand.

I'm thinking working under the table (without permit/ illegally) will it affect my future AOS/EAD/AP application? Or is it really a bad idea and are there odds that i might get caught or some really bad consequences with this?

[redstripe54 42]

The previous comments cover it, I'm the same as you, I even had a Social Security card, but it has stamped across it " VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION" Pretty clear really, if you work without the EAD or Green Card proper you will be breaking the law and the whole application would be in jeopardy.

Also the Green card doesn't take a couple of months. the EAD and AP might take around 70-90 days, but the Green Card can take 6-12 months, some people get it quicker, some take even longer, have a look around the VJ site.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

No, you should not work illegally. Do you really need to ask? You just got to the US and want to start breaking the laws already? No one on this forum is going to advise you to go against the US laws. Wait for the EAD like everyone else. If you wanted to start working right away, then you should not have gone through the K-1 visa process. You should have married first and then entered with a spousal visa instead. This is how it works with a K-1 non-immigrant visa entry.

[RainbowMonkey 24]

Thanks for all your responses.

The reason I asked is because there is a company that offered me a job and i know i don't have a work permit but they said it's okay for me to work with them. I guess the company is okay with that.

Thanks again!

[ch3john 308]

You can not work without EAD or green card. You must have one before you can work.

Breaking the law usually results in bad consequences.

Not a good way to start your new life in the US

[newacct 688]

I'm thinking working under the table (without permit/ illegally) will it affect my future AOS/EAD/AP application?

The answer is no, it will not affect your application.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Thanks for all your responses.

The reason I asked is because there is a company that offered me a job and i know i don't have a work permit but they said it's okay for me to work with them. I guess the company is okay with that.

Thanks again!

The company is wrong, they can get heavily fined, it's illegal.

Once you completed your biometrics for the EAD, you can try to expedite it with a well documented a job offer but you are NOT allowed to

work until the EAD is in hand. Green card takes 6-12+ months, EAD/AP combo card usually around 90.

Taking shortcuts and circumventing the law can bring you issues in the future.

Don't do it !

[SanneW 30]

It's an easy answer: illigal is illigal.. If you start breaking the law right now, and you lie to the uscis if they would ask you about it (isn't there questions about this when you file?).

What do you think would happen if they find out that you have been working illigally? Ofc it will influence your immigration process

Edited April 12, 2016 by SanneW

[jnguyen1025 2]

My fiance arrived in US on 4/9 and wedding (marriage license) scheduled for 5/29, is that too long of a wait if we want to get green card before her K1 visa expiration? What is the timeline for AOS/AP/EAD? I intend to file all 3 together. Can I start any of them prior to the wedding?

[usmsbow 800]

My fiance arrived in US on 4/9 and wedding (marriage license) scheduled for 5/29, is that too long of a wait if we want to get green card before her K1 visa expiration? What is the timeline for AOS/AP/EAD? I intend to file all 3 together. Can I start any of them prior to the wedding?

Takes around 70 days from NOA1 for most people to get AP/EAD. Max is 90 days. Edited to add: can be sooner if you request to have it expedited. Green card is a ####### shoot. For those who filed the same time as me, the earliest was about 4 months, a bunch were 6-8 months, and some are still waiting (it's been 11 months since applying).

Sure, you can start any of them prior to the wedding, but you can't submit any of them until you have a marriage certificate in your hand.

Edited April 12, 2016 by usmsbow

[CplusC86 22]

I'm mostly wondering why the EAD would even need to exist if companies could hire you legally regardless. Wait for the EAD or start your life in the US by breaking the law.

[newacct 688]

and you lie to the uscis if they would ask you about it (isn't there questions about this when you file?).

What makes you think they plan to lie to USCIS?

Ofc it will influence your immigration process

That has no basis in the law. Please point to a place that says it will influence the AOS.