So Confused...

[kelly3 0]

Can someone help me understand....February 15th my husband arrived in the US we got married Feb.18th. I thought you had to apply for an EAD to be able to work but he said with the K1 Visa and the I94 he doesn't he can just apply for a SSN and wait for that. So about two weeks ago he went to apply for the SSN and he was told that once he was in the system he would receive the SSN# in the mail. Is this true and anyone have an estimate of how long this takes? He was told it would be about three weeks before he received anything in the mail but I read it takes appr. 6-8 weeks. Now does the I94 take the place of the EAD? Does he still have to apply for that? I am really confused. I breezed through the K1 Visa Process but this...not so.

Any information is greatly appreciated as well as any experiences shared.

[raymaga 25]

Unless he got a temporary EAD stamp in his passport, he cannot work until he gets his EAD card. He can apply for a SSN, without the EAD, but that does not enable him to work.

You have to apply for the EAD either with or after the AOS.

Good luck.

[BUHOK 0]

Actually, he could apply for an ssn even without his EAD for as long as his I-94 is valid for atleast 2 weeks, FYI, I-94 is valid for 3 months upon arrival. It will take 4 weeks or so before he will physically have his SSN.

Now does the I94 take the place of the EAD?

Ur husband can work here legally if he has VALID I-94 and ssn, As soon as his I-94 expires he can no longer work here legally unless he has an EAD or Green Card.

About applying for an EAD:

If your husband wants to work while waiting for his AOS then he should apply for an EAD BUT if he thinks he could wait for his AOS and got his green card then I suggest not to apply for an EAD because once the AOS is approved then automatically EAD will be denied because you dont need an EAD anymore if u have ur GC,,,Take note EAD fee is nonrefundable...

Edited March 17, 2006 by MARIKIT

[Kez/JWolf 6]

A valid I-94 does not allow you to work in the states...... you need either a temp EAD stamp given at POE or a 1 year EAD applied for with or after AOS....

The Temp EAD is only valid for 90 days from entry then he would have to give up work and wait for the 1 year EAD to arrive....

The I-94 is a arrival/departure record nothing more.....

Kezzie

[Jasman0717 9]

Claudeth applied for her SSN about two weeks after she was here. It took about two weeks for her card to arrive. She changed her name after we were married but had to wait for the EAD before returning to the SSN office. That took about six weeks to receive her card with her married name.