Can a job offer expedite producing of EAD card?

[Bamboo33 1]

Hello,

I got a notice online that both my AP (too late for my travel plans) and EAD were approved on Nov. 2, 2016.

I got a job offer a few days after the notice and I though I would get the EAD card within a week... but the status is still showing "new card is being produced". I called them and they said that it can take up to 60 days to get the card. I'm now scared that I will lose this opportunity if I don't get my EAD card sooner.

1) Is there anyway to speed up the process? If yes could you explain to me how to proceed if you have been in a similar situation?

2) What's your experience, what was your timeline from "card being produced" to "has been mailed" and to received?

Thank you so much for your help!

[Rc123rc 528]

You get a hard copy of the approval? You may be able to use that. I doubt at this point you can speed up the card production process.

[Bamboo33 1]

I only got a hard copy approval for the AP but not for the EAD.

[embay16 12]

There is no way to speed up the production of the card.

60 days to get it doesn't seem right...they told us that they have 30 days. Anyways, you should get it within the next 2 weeks (ours took 15 days from the card production ordered on 10/28/2016), maybe even this weekend...although it might be a bit slow with the holiday next week. We never got a physical approval for the EAD as well (just the AP and then the card came in the mail later). We also never received a status update that it had been mailed, it just showed up.

I believe most employers will not let you accept the job offer until you have the physical card in hand (you cannot work without the physical card as you need to fill out an I9 form), but you could potentially let them know that you have the approval and are simply awaiting the card in the mail.

Also, not sure if you are AOS or not, but you will need a Social Security number before you can be paid.

See these other posts about the EAD here: (you can find much more by just doing a quick search in the search box)

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/596203-ead-card-in-production-how-long-til-it-comes-in-the-mail/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/361680-ead-approved-online-can-i-work-now/?p=5281380

[Bamboo33 1]

Cool! Thank you so much for your help It reassures me. I was also surprised about the 60 days as I saw shorter timelines like ours online.

I told the company that I was waiting for the physical card and for now it seems that they are waiting for me.

I read that when you go get your SSN card, it's usually mailed to you 2 weeks later but is this correct that I can ask for the SSN and be able to start working and apply for a driver licence with only the number?

Thanks for the links to other posts!

[embay16 12]

Cool! Thank you so much for your help It reassures me. I was also surprised about the 60 days as I saw shorter timelines like ours online.

I told the company that I was waiting for the physical card and for now it seems that they are waiting for me.

I read that when you go get your SSN card, it's usually mailed to you 2 weeks later but is this correct that I can ask for the SSN and be able to start working and apply for a driver licence with only the number?

Thanks for the links to other posts!

Check out the subforum "Social Security Numbers". They talk about everything related to SSN numbers, and I'm sure others have had the same questions. I am not aware of much about the SSN as my spouse got one when he first came to the US, so did not need to apply for one after receiving the EAD/AP card in the mail.