Applying for jobs while waiting for I-765 documents to be produced after approval

[Hawksquill 151]

My I-765 has finally been approved - took long enough - and I'm waiting for it to be produced and mailed here.  How long has this taken, on average, for anyone who's had this before?

I'm eager to get working as soon as I can, and there are definitely jobs around at the moment that I'd like to apply for and where the window for that closes soon.  But I don't want to tempt fate and be unable to produce the relevant documents to prove I'm able to work here legally once that point arrives.  At the same time, since there's so much waiting involved in the hiring/jobsearch process, it seems like it might be a waste of time to just wait it out until it's in my hand.

 

Has anyone got any advice on timelines and what they'd do in this specific situation?

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

I did exactly that. I let them know that my EAD was approved and on it's way. You don't legally have to provide it until the first day of work, which as you say might be a while. I figured if I'm unlucky and something happens (such as it getting lost or similar) - I'll just explain that to them and it'll be up to them. I was applying before it was approved first also, since K1's are allowed to work, but need proof of it to actually start working. The employer can always decide if they want to wait for you or not.

Edited October 4, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[Dashinka 24,512]

What @Suss&Camm said!

 

Good luck and happy job hunting!

[leethompson 31]

1 hour ago, Suss&Camm said:

I did exactly that. I let them know that my EAD was approved and on it's way. You don't legally have to provide it until the first day of work, which as you say might be a while. I figured if I'm unlucky and something happens (such as it getting lost or similar) - I'll just explain that to them and it'll be up to them. I was applying before it was approved first also, since K1's are allowed to work, but need proof of it to actually start working. The employer can always decide if they want to wait for you or not.

 

I did exactly that, too. I started job-hunting about a month before I was due to get the card (based on the projections from my timeline here), and if I had any responses to applications I was sure to tell them I'd have the paperwork in order within the month. Then it became "I'll have the card in-hand by next week", and when I actually had the interview for the job I now have, the card arrived in my mailbox the day of the interview (not that I needed it until my starting day some 3 weeks later, though).

 

Some recruiters aren't always familiar with the EAD, I found. You may need to be prepared to explain it to one or two folks (although most HR teams who've hired staff from around the world will be more knowledgeable).

[Mr Geminian 691]

I think am gonna do the same what the others said  

[Gro 8]

It's perfectly fine to apply for jobs whenever you want, you can start applying early on. Many get job offers still being months away from getting their EAD approved, and they use the job offer to expedite their EAD processing.