Two things I'm wondering...

[Rmmm12345 15]

Hey guys,

So yesterday we received our NOA2 (Wooooo!) and now we're wondering how long it'll roughly take for our NVC number then how long for an interview and medical? My local office is London and the nvc office is New York City (we believe). Does anyone have any rough timescales? We want to book flights soon so a rough time would be cool.

Secondly, I'm a store assistant manager and have an art degree. So I'm probably going to get back into the retail sector for a while... I've worked consistently for 6 years with barely any gaps. How long will it take from POE in the u.s until I could get a work permit? Do we need to be married first for this?

Thank you so much in advance!!

[Georgia16 2,858]

From NOA2 to the case number from NVC anywhere between 2-4 weeks (most around 3 weeks at the time)

For London you can book your medical and put in your readiness form when you have case number, how long it takes you'll have to ask in the UK forum or look at timelines for UK people since this is different from country to country.

You can apply for EAD when you get there but then you'll have to pay for it. If you wait till after you get married and file the AOS shortly after then it's free with the AOS package and then it takes about 90 days to get it.

NVC:

Phone (for nonimmigrant visa inquiries only):

(603) 334-0888. Customer Service Representatives can speak with you Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight EST, excluding holidays.

Mail (for immigrant visa inquiries only):
National Visa Center
Attn: WC
31 Rochester Avenue
Suite 200
Portsmouth, NH 03801-2915

Edited April 20, 2016 by Georgia16

[baron555 934]

You can apply for EAD when you get there but then you'll have to pay for it.

AND.....it is only valid until your I-94, which replaces your K-1, expires after 90 days. Also it takes about 90 days to process an EAD. So pretty much useless.

If you wait till after you get married

Which is what 99.99999% of folks do.

and file the AOS shortly after

Only need to wait for the certified marriage ceritficate.

then it's free with the AOS package and then it takes about 90 days to get it.

Correct.

So you're looking at being able to work about 90 days following the marriage.

[A'n'L 735]

You could file for EAD before marriage, but processing time is almost 3 months and it would only be valid as long as your I94 (3 months), so the point is mute in my opinion...

Get married and file AOS with EAD+AP ASAP upon arrival, and you can expect to be back in the work force within 3 months... You can look for jobs and even interview before your EAD, but ofc not start working.

Oh, and the golden rule is to not book flights until you have your visa in hand or at least have an interview date set. Murphy's law very much applies to the visa process :-)

Edited April 20, 2016 by A'n'L

[Georgia16 2,858]

You can apply for EAD when you get there but then you'll have to pay for it.

AND.....it is only valid until your I-94, which replaces your K-1, expires after 90 days. Also it takes about 90 days to process an EAD. So pretty much useless.

If you wait till after you get married

Which is what 99.99999% of folks do.

and file the AOS shortly after

Only need to wait for the certified marriage ceritficate.

then it's free with the AOS package and then it takes about 90 days to get it.

Correct.

So you're looking at being able to work about 90 days following the marriage.

Can't see anything wrong with my post. I'm aware that it takes a while but she asked and I answered. I haven't seen one single on here who have done EAD before the AOS but it's an option even though in my opinion a waste of money that's why I said wait til after they are married and file shortly after

[LionessDeon 2,060]

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

Here's what it looks like somewhat. Varies with each embassy.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3ead

EAD link above states:

1. Immediately, before filing for AOS. As a K-1 visa holder you are technically eligible to file for an EAD immediately when you arrive. However, this EAD will expire when you K-1 expires (90 days) and because of this and the wait time (>90 days) it is a waste of both time and money to bother applying. You will file as category (a)(6), "Nonimmigrant Fiance(e) of U.S. Citizen". (Where to file: mail, efile, walk-in -- only if local office allows)

2. At the same time as filing for AOS. As a K-1 holder filing for Adjustment of Status (AOS) you are eligible to file for an EAD at the same time. Your EAD packet can be filing along with your AOS packet and mailed together. You will file as category ©(9), "adjustment applicant". (Where to file: mail only - with AOS packet)

3. After filing for AOS. If you did not file for your EAD at the same time as filing your AOS packet, you may still apply for an EAD. You will however need proof of having filed for AOS. This is typically in the form of a "notice of action" or physical receipt from the office you filed at stating that they received your AOS packet. You will file as category ©(9), "adjustment applicant". (Where to file: mail, walk-in if allowable, efile)

Most K1 go with #2.

Edited April 20, 2016 by LionessDeon

[baron555 934]

Can't see anything wrong with my post. I'm aware that it takes a while but she asked and I answered. I haven't seen one single on here who have done EAD before the AOS but it's an option even though in my opinion a waste of money that's why I said wait til after they are married and file shortly after

There is nothing wrong with your posting, just additional information was provided, which I did.

The OP may not have the wherewithall to put all the facts together to realize its a useless pursuit....might be able to work for a day or two before the I-94 and the EAD's validity run out.

[Georgia16 2,858]

There is nothing wrong with your posting, just additional information was provided, which I did.

The OP may not have the wherewithall to put all the facts together to realize its a useless pursuit....might be able to work for a day or two before the I-94 and the EAD's validity run out.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

It is pointless to try to predict how long your visa is going to take from this moment. There are too many little variables that can hold you up. You won't be exactly like the person before you or after you. Book your flights after you have the visa in hand.

Working would likely be at least 4 months after arrival because you have to marry, get the marriage certificate back, prepare all the paperwork (allowing a month); then wait 3 months for the work authorization to arrive. It's possible to get things crammed in to file sooner and your work authorization to arrive in less than 3 months, but don't count on it.

We were super speedy and lucky and got the EAD card in hand 5 days short of three months after POE.

Married on day 5

Got certificate Day 6

Filed Day 9

Edited April 20, 2016 by Nich-Nick

[Rmmm12345 15]

Thank you so much everyone - makes it all a lot clearer now...

Just read somewhere that if you stated a date expected to leave then the embassy sometimes tend to work with that date.

Last thing to ask is - we are planning our wedding for November however I plan to be over quite sometime before Nov... Should we have a legal marriage and post everything off for working permits etc and AOS then have our proper wedding in November? this way we can get the ball rolling on me finding a job etc.

Thanks again.

[Georgia16 2,858]

Thank you so much everyone - makes it all a lot clearer now...

Just read somewhere that if you stated a date expected to leave then the embassy sometimes tend to work with that date.

Last thing to ask is - we are planning our wedding for November however I plan to be over quite sometime before Nov... Should we have a legal marriage and post everything off for working permits etc and AOS then have our proper wedding in November? this way we can get the ball rolling on me finding a job etc.

Thanks again.

Might be a good idea if you want to work as soon as possible. You have to married within 90 days of your arrival too.

[Rmmm12345 15]

Might be a good idea if you want to work as soon as possible. You have to married within 90 days of your arrival too.

Yeah, I thought that... I just didn't know if it'd affect things in any way but who knows maybe i'll move and have the 90 days... Just seems a bit pointless moving and waiting 2 and a half months for our wedding then another 3 or whatever for my work permit, when i'm there in the first place.

Guess we'll do that :-)

Might be a good idea if you want to work as soon as possible. You have to married within 90 days of your arrival too.

Yeah, I thought that... I just didn't know if it'd affect things in any way but who knows maybe i'll move and have the 90 days... Just seems a bit pointless moving and waiting 2 and a half months for our wedding then another 3 or whatever for my work permit, when i'm there in the first place.

Guess we'll do that :-)

[baron555 934]

Thank you so much everyone - makes it all a lot clearer now...

Just read somewhere that if you stated a date expected to leave then the embassy sometimes tend to work with that date.

False, they march to their own drummer. Won't hurt to ask though.

Last thing to ask is - we are planning our wedding for November however I plan to be over quite sometime before Nov... Should we have a legal marriage and post everything off for working permits etc and AOS

That is the fastest way.

then have our proper wedding in November? this way we can get the ball rolling on me finding a job etc.

Legally married is legally married. It's all proper. If mean have religious and/or big she-bang ceremony later, yes.

[Rmmm12345 15]

That's great thank you so much!!! Was so worried they'd be weirded out that we were technically having two weddings - oh well! that's awesome :-) good to know we have options!!

R

[TBoneTX 45,309]

Thread is moved from the K-1 Process forum to the K-1 Case Progress subforum.