Eager to work - K1 visa

[Highmystic 234]

10 hours ago, J&C2527 said:

We have been waiting since January already. It's very frusterating

January when you got your acceptance date of AOS?

 

 

[Highmystic 234]

7 hours ago, geowrian said:

Taking classes is permitted. Many college/university institutions will charge international student rates, but sometimes you can get them to treat you as a resident instead.

 

Volunteering is a mixed bag. If it does not reasonable displace a US worker,m then it's likely not work. For instance, soup kitchens, picking up litter, reading to children, etc. If it's basically an unpaid internship, then it's crossed the line into unauthorized employment.

Yes, read somewhere that for volunteer work,  most ALL of the people must be on a volunteer basis and not paid.  An example would be "volunteering to deliver pizzas for no pay, (but yet collect tips) would be illegal for a K1,  or volunteering at anything, even without tips if everyone else is paid, like helping out filing paperwork at an office, or even working for some political campaign because there are people doing the same work and getting paid.

[Ontarkie 14,378]

~~Moved to Working and Traveling, from K1 P&P - the op is asking about when his fiance can work.

[*Snowdrop* 604]

Things you can do if you are in a new home, in a new country and not allowed to work:

 

 

 

- relax and rest

 

That immigration journey was pretty grueling wasn't it, plus a huge international flight, all that packing and emotional goodbyes. Maybe a week chilling and catching up on sleep

 

 

 

- spend time together alone

 

After all that time and anguish apart - plan some quality time together. Not just trips to the SS office or DMV.

 

 

 

- house/home projects

 

If you've budgeted for this it can be a great way to feel at home - decorate and organize as a couple finally. I spent over three hours a day for the first two months decluttering all the old junk (ie. my husband's stuff) in the house.

 

 

 

- explore

 

walk, drive, cycle, shop, museums, art galleries, - if you think your partner would not enjoy this alone, try to organize some vacation from work, or draft a team of helpers - friends, family etc

 

If the USC works in a city or town and you can't drive yet, go into the town/city with them once or twice a week - hang out in the library, or coffee shop, take a laptop, or go shopping, meet them for lunch, read a book in the park. Get out of the house.

 

 

 

- meet wider family and friends

 

Plan parties and visits and fun things to do to introduce your partner into your wider world and community. My mother-in-law took me out in the car every week for the first few months and it was a fun bonding experience.

 

 

 

- driving

 

Whether it's practice, lessons, studying the guide getting the license sorted etc

 

 

 

- finding work

 

Even if you can't actually work yet there are hours of stuff you can do to prepare before the EAD/Greencard comes. Update your resume, update all online options like LinkedIn etc, get business cards printed, go to networking events, organize informational interviews at the types of places you'd like to work, see if you can shadow someone at a company you'd like to work. Find out if you need to acquire more skills etc

 

 

 

- study

 

Learn something new - either useful or fun. Use local community resources or do an online course.

 

 

 

- volunteer

 

 

 

- hobbies

 

Music, art, creating/making, gardening, reading, writing, blogging, sports, play poker online - I don't know whatever thrills you. When was the last time you had enforced leisure time - try to enjoy it.

[TNJ17 1,329]

Not being able to work for a long time after arrival is something you are well informed when you choose to go the K1 route. It’s frustrating but this should not be a surprise for you. She can try and apply to jobs and some jobs might be willing to write up a letter so she can expedite her EAD but even then that’s not a guarantee. Just be prepared to be out of work for a long time. 

[doggieandsam 765]

I concur with all of the above. I just want to add that although one may be eager and able to work (ie already have the EAD after waiting 4-6 months for it), it may still take a while to actually land a job!

[Sarah&Facundo 599]

When my husband came here in March, we married and submitted the paperwork very quickly. it is almost August and still waiting. According to the timelines, he will probably get his work authorization in October. So no, your fiance will not be working quickly. My husband also quit his job to tie up loose ends 2 months before coming and he is really struggling with dealing with this wait. He is extremely motivated and a very hard worker. This is the first time in his life he hasn't worked and even though it isn't his fault, he is experiencing this feeling of failing at life.It is absolutely a downside to the K1. 

However, yes you can take courses. He started community college 2 months ago and he is lucky enough to be receiving in-state tuition. We do need to pay out of pocket though because no financial aid is available for people who don't have a green card and can that be months or a year away. The whole process, plainly, sucks. 

[EllyNelly 385]

On 7/24/2018 at 9:31 AM, Paul & Mallory said:

As others have said, she won't be able to work as soon as she enters on a K1 - she will have to file for EAD (work permit), which can be submitted at the time you guys file her AOS (it's no fee/additional cost to file it all together). While processing times do fluctuate, they are a bit slow right now. We just submitted my husband's paperwork the end of June and expected EAD approval right now is between November and December.

 

Best advice is to start working on AOS process ASAP once she's here so you can get that mailed out and get yourselves in queue sooner rather than later.

so it is not the 1225 (AOS) + 485 (EAD)? If so i will be so relieved.

[geowrian 22,338]

12 minutes ago, EllyNelly said:

so it is not the 1225 (AOS) + 485 (EAD)? If so i will be so relieved.

I-485 (AOS): $1140 + $85 biometrics = $1225

I-765 (EAD): No fee when filed with or due to an I-485

I-131 (AP): No fee when filed with or due to an I-485

[Paul & Mallory 1,398]

On ‎7‎/‎27‎/‎2018 at 2:18 PM, EllyNelly said:

so it is not the 1225 (AOS) + 485 (EAD)? If so i will be so relieved.

If you file it all together, correct. EAD and AP do not cost extra if you submit with your AOS.