F-1Visa/Should I apply for EAD through OPT while AoS is pending?

[Pinkielicious 17]

1 minute ago, el_greco said:

USCIS doesn't care about your education plans since you're applying for AOS due to marriage with a USC. I didn't even know that graduating from community college offers OPT based work authorization to be honest. In general keep in mind that your AOS-based work authorization, and, eventually, the actual green card, are way stronger and broader than the F-1 OPT authorization.

Thank you (again)! I was actually planning to apply for OPT next week if I still don' hear anything from USCIS. I now realize that since I already sent out the AOS package, there is no point applying for OPT. And yes, I can apply for OPT after graduating from community college. 

I sent out my application last Wednesday, and it was delivered last Thursday. I thought I would received the text/email notice after a week or so, but I still haven't got anything. It took you 6 days to receive their text, didn't it? This wait just makes me feel so uneasy.

[el_greco 20]

5 minutes ago, Pinkielicious said:

Thank you (again)! I was actually planning to apply for OPT next week if I still don' hear anything from USCIS. I now realize that since I already sent out the AOS package, there is no point applying for OPT. And yes, I can apply for OPT after graduating from community college. 

I sent out my application last Wednesday, and it was delivered last Thursday. I thought I would received the text/email notice after a week or so, but I still haven't got anything. It took you 6 days to receive their text, didn't it? This wait just makes me feel so uneasy.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll soon receive your texts/emails and soon after the paper copies of Notices Of Acceptance, and then the process will start for you too. Check VJ timelines to roughly estimate your EAD adjudication (they are currently dealing with December 29th 2016 cases)

[Cynthia68 24]

On Thu Mar 23 2017 at 7:25 PM, Pinkielicious said:

Hi Cynthia, 

So everything is clear now. All we can do is patiently wait for the notice from USCIS. I hope everything is going well for all of us. 

Regarding the change of office, I don't think they'll let you do that. But you can call USCIS office to confirm.

Thank you for your reply! Good luck!

[Cynthia68 24]

On Thu Mar 23 2017 at 7:28 PM, el_greco said:

Regardless of the way you obtain you're EAD (OPT vs AOS) you are not allowed to actually start working until you have the EAD card in your hands. You have already applied for the AOS-based EAD, so even in the unlikely case that you can have a second application for EAD (through OPT), the AOS one will arrive sooner. You can still interview for jobs with the disclaimer that if you are offered a position, you can only start once your work authorization officially begins (your EAD card start date) - so your school advising you to also apply for OPT is meaningless - there are no job opportunities you will have with OPT that you won't have with AOS. As a matter of fact, the AOS EAD card is more "general" in the sense that it doesn't really restrict you in employment only in the field of your degree, as OPT does (it does stand for, after all, Optional Practical Training).

 

please talk to your school's immigration advisor within the international office and clearly explain to them that you have already filed an I-765 form with USCIS.

Thank you very much for your careful explanation! Appreciate it!

[Cynthia68 24]

Hi Pinkielicious, I am facing another situation now, I had an interview with a local company, they said this job would probably begin in June, do you think I will be able to get my EAD of AoS by then or do I need to apply for OPT now, but I don't know if I apply for OPT now I would get my EAD of OPT by June. Thank you!

[Pinkielicious 17]

5 hours ago, Cynthia68 said:

Hi Pinkielicious, I am facing another situation now, I had an interview with a local company, they said this job would probably begin in June, do you think I will be able to get my EAD of AoS by then or do I need to apply for OPT now, but I don't know if I apply for OPT now I would get my EAD of OPT by June. Thank you!

Hi Cynthia,

As USCIS removed the guarantee of processing AOS EAD card within 90 days, we can't be sure when we're gonna get it. And as el_greco mentioned in previous posts, there is no point applying for OPT now since the processing time will be the same. Since you already filed for AOS, you'll receive your AOS EAD before OPT EAD for sure. So don't waste your money. I know it's frustrated to miss an opportunity on employment, but there is nothing we can do. Just wait for your AOS EAD, and I believe there will be more opportunities for you.

 

Btw, have you received texts/messages from USCIS yet?

[Cynthia68 24]

2 hours ago, Pinkielicious said:

Hi Cynthia,

As USCIS removed the guarantee of processing AOS EAD card within 90 days, we can't be sure when we're gonna get it. And as el_greco mentioned in previous posts, there is no point applying for OPT now since the processing time will be the same. Since you already filed for AOS, you'll receive your AOS EAD before OPT EAD for sure. So don't waste your money. I know it's frustrated to miss an opportunity on employment, but there is nothing we can do. Just wait for your AOS EAD, and I believe there will be more opportunities for you.

 

Btw, have you received texts/messages from USCIS yet?

Thank you so much for your reply! I haven't heard anything yet, no email, no text. I saw some people got their emails like after 5 or 6 days.

[Pinkielicious 17]

On 3/28/2017 at 3:17 PM, Cynthia68 said:

Thank you so much for your reply! I haven't heard anything yet, no email, no text. I saw some people got their emails like after 5 or 6 days.

Hi Cynthia,

I have heard there is some delay for those who file mid to late March thou. I suggest you to join this thread; people, who are March filers, are sharing their information and experience here. 

You can browse through the thread and see their timelines, so you can estimate yours. 

[Cynthia68 24]

9 hours ago, Pinkielicious said:

Hi Cynthia,

I have heard there is some delay for those who file mid to late March thou. I suggest you to join this thread; people, who are March filers, are sharing their information and experience here. 

You can browse through the thread and see their timelines, so you can estimate yours. 

Thank you so so much! It is really good to know!

[Cynthia68 24]

Hi, Pinkie, how are you doing today? I got my text and email message today! I am so excited, have you heard anything yet?

[Pinkielicious 17]

1 hour ago, Cynthia68 said:

Hi, Pinkie, how are you doing today? I got my text and email message today! I am so excited, have you heard anything yet?

Still nothing yet   I'm so worried now. I don't know if there is anything wrong with my oackage and they need to send it back  when did you receive the texts? In the middle of the night?

[Cynthia68 24]

1 hour ago, Pinkielicious said:

Still nothing yet   I'm so worried now. I don't know if there is anything wrong with my oackage and they need to send it back  when did you receive the texts? In the middle of the night?

They sent me messages 12:30am this morning, I saw them after I got up. Stay positve and stay strong!!!! I hope you can hea from them very soon!!! Good luck!!! If you put everything in the package, it should be ok, just wait patiently!

[Pinkielicious 17]

1 hour ago, Cynthia68 said:

They sent me messages 12:30am this morning, I saw them after I got up. Stay positve and stay strong!!!! I hope you can hea from them very soon!!! Good luck!!! If you put everything in the package, it should be ok, just wait patiently!

Thank you, Cynthia! This wait is not fun at all. It makes me so frustrated. I'll let you know if I receive anything.