What to do while waiting for the EAD?

[Eric-Pris 1,606]

18 hours ago, bloggerstomper said:

Hi everyone!

 

I wanted to know what do people do while they wait for their EAD cards.

It's a long wait from applying for it until it arrives (almost three months), so what do people do?

Just stay at home and live on savings?

Thank you so much for your time and answers!!

I'm not sure what you are asking.  Are you asking about working illegally?  Big no-no, but even more so these days.  As far as employment, you only have 1 choice, to sit home and wait until the EAD arrives.  But you can always volunteer (without taking any benefits from it-monetary nor material).  Find a new hobby (read, exercise, cook, etc).  Lots of things you can do while you wait.

 

As for finances.  Many people mention finances while waiting for their employment authorization, but they knew (or should have known) that there would be a waiting period for paperwork before working, and they either knew that it would cause hardship, and just decided to ignore it or decided to ignore and see what happens.  Personally, I have always wondered how people who could barely support themselves (not implying this is the OP's situation) bring over immigrants (often with kids) and then complain about finances.  I think people often lose their minds when it comes to relationships and "love".  (I made about 27-28 trips to Costa Rica between 2006-2008, so I'm not immune to it.)

[ClickityClackity 134]

Just now, Eric-Pris said:

I'm not sure what you are asking.  Are you asking about working illegally?  Big no-no, but even more so these days.  As far as employment, you only have 1 choice, to sit home and wait until the EAD arrives.  But you can always volunteer (without taking any benefits from it-monetary nor material).  Find a new hobby (read, exercise, cook, etc).  Lots of things you can do while you wait.

 

As for finances.  Many people mention finances while waiting for their employment authorization, but they knew (or should have known) that there would be a waiting period for paperwork before working, and they either knew that it would cause hardship, and just decided to ignore it or decided to ignore and see what happens.  Personally, I have always wondered how people who could barely support themselves (not implying this is the OP's situation) bring over immigrants (often with kids) and then complain about finances.  I think people often lose their minds when it comes to relationships and "love".  (I made about 27-28 trips to Costa Rica between 2006-2008, so I'm not immune to it.)

Thank you for your response! I would definitely not work illegally, I'm not about to risk getting deported and barred from entry!! I just wanted to know other people's experiences. My fiancee and I are aware that I can't work and we are both able to support ourselves, it's mostly annoying. I have already jobs lined up for when I get the EAD, and hopefully I can get it expedites (although I highly doubt it).

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

17 hours ago, bloggerstomper said:

what other choice would've been better in your opinion??

Spousal visa.

[Chris&Ale 153]

18 hours ago, Moon&Stars said:

I've been lining up volunteer opportunities for my fiance to do when he arrives and while he waits on the EAD. He will go crazy without something productive to do. So I've made connections with people for hobbies that he has. So far he will be helping coach a soccer team and helping a friend with some work projects around their house. This friend has been really helpful to us in this visa process, so it will also be a way for him to contribute in saying thank you for all they have done for us. It also means that when it comes time to apply for work, he can have some references that are in the US that will have seen him in action on volunteer projects. 

Be careful about him volunteering as even unpaid volunteering can be considered same as working without authorization, even for non-profit and religious work. If immigration were to ever find out, it could lead to deportation. It's sad but it's happened before. I hope this helps.

[FlashLG 152]

4 hours ago, bloggerstomper said:

yikes. that's almost as long as it takes to get the green card eh?

Took me 7 months to receive EAD, and 8 months to receive my Green Card. I filed for AOS in November. If you are only filing for the K1 visa now, then it's most likely that the current wait times will be even longer by the time you come to AOS, based on recent trends.

 

I filled my time by trying to be as active as possible to pass the time: working out, running, golf and soccer. I also started writing/ blogging to keep my mind sharp for when I was able to start working.

[Pennycat 880]

1 minute ago, Chris&Ale said:

Be careful about him volunteering as even unpaid volunteering can be considered same as working without authorization, even for non-profit and religious work. If immigration were to ever find out, it could lead to deportation. It's sad but it's happened before. I hope this helps.

Do you have an example of this actually happening to people who are actually volunteering? Right up to deportation? "I hope this helps" when you're telling someone they might be deported (with no evidence for the claim) for taking sound advice is a bit disingenuous

 

Actual volunteer work at non-profits is fine. What is NOT fine is to "volunteer" in a position that is normally paid (like a church secretary or something) and then just by some magic happen to be hired for that job when it again becomes a paid position (when you get your EAD). But actual volunteer work, not some "haha I'm smarter than USCIS I'll 'volunteer' at my job until I can really work" volunteer work, is fine and in our case encouraged by the consular officer who interviewed us (he gave us names of places he'd volunteered at when he lived in our city). 

[ajay007 43]

19 hours ago, bloggerstomper said:

oh noes. How long more or less??

i applied in the beginning of april 18 still waiting.my file is in national benefit centre.

[TM92 527]

3 hours ago, bloggerstomper said:

Now I'm seriously consider going to the states, getting married in Vegas, go back home and apply for the CR.

That is what I was about to suggest. Plus: Vegas is considered a "Disneyland for adults"

[ajay007 43]

5 hours ago, bloggerstomper said:

Thank you for your answer! My fiancé and I feel the same way. We don't want to be apart from each other for another year, we've been doing long distance for almost three years and it's not fun. Also, thank you for being so sympathetic!

i agree with your statement.i spend most of time in cooking cos its my hobby and try to know the system in this country how i can get good job and what kind of options are possible.

[Kastrs 723]

6 hours ago, bloggerstomper said:

it's not if you take into account the cost of travel for my fiancee to get married in here, the cost of translating all the official Spanish documents etc.

thanks for giving no information and being snarky. I'm sure when you went through the process you liked when people treated you like that

1- you can self translate documents, no need to pay money for it

2- nothing says you MUST get married in Spain, you can get married in the US or anywhere and then file for CR1

[mushroomspore 3,044]

Most AoS cases are taking a full year to adjudicate. AoS generally also involves an interview with USCIS. They used to waive the USCIS interviews for a good portion on K1's because you guys do an interview abroad at the US embassy in your home country. However lately USCIS have been conducting more and more interviews with K1's. Another advantage of doing CR1.

 

K1 is more expensive. If you do CR1, you could instead use the original K1 fee money to travel and see each other while CR1 is pending. CR1 avoids AoS altogether. CR1 takes 12+ months to get the visa and you're a permanent resident upon arrival. K1 takes 8+ months just to get the visa and then it's another year of waiting for AoS on top of THAT. K1 also restricts you to getting married only within the US. I strongly suggest considering CR1 since you haven't filed yet.

 

Edit: just wanted to add that my EAD took 8 months.

Edited August 28, 2018 by mushroomspore

[hispany 23]

1 hour ago, bloggerstomper said:

thank you for your answer! I'm actually going to apply for an EMT course in the local college, since it's two months and it will fill most of my time!

You should be aware that you will be considered a foreign student and will have to pay out-of-state fees, which are hefty...

[Nafisa & Bryce 45]

We have an infant at home and he's been a pretty good way for my husband to spend his waiting days 🤣 Even so, I know it is hard on him not to work outside of the home (especially on the social side since he doesn't get to spend time around many people during the day). He has talked about potentially doing some volunteer work, takes care of stuff at home, plays video games and keeps in touch with his friends back home. If you enjoy reading, now might be a good time to get through some books or really anything else you love doing that you might not have time for once you start working.

 

Perhaps preparing your evidence and documents for the AOS interview would be a good use of time as well (though, in our case, I did most of the prep work since I'm better with that kind of thing).

 

Enjoy the extra time you may have with your spouse! The commute to work and back, new commitments and friendships, and a difference of schedules, may interfere with your ability to spend time together later on. My husband and I spent 8 months apart while waiting on his K-1 visa, we don't take a single moment together for granted 😍

 

I know for some people it can be difficult income-wise to wait so long as well, so maybe working together on a reasonable budget that allows you to save a little as well as cover your every day expenses would be a good use of time

[Chris&Ale 153]

2 hours ago, Pennycat said:

Do you have an example of this actually happening to people who are actually volunteering? Right up to deportation? "I hope this helps" when you're telling someone they might be deported (with no evidence for the claim) for taking sound advice is a bit disingenuous

 

Actual volunteer work at non-profits is fine. What is NOT fine is to "volunteer" in a position that is normally paid (like a church secretary or something) and then just by some magic happen to be hired for that job when it again becomes a paid position (when you get your EAD). But actual volunteer work, not some "haha I'm smarter than USCIS I'll 'volunteer' at my job until I can really work" volunteer work, is fine and in our case encouraged by the consular officer who interviewed us (he gave us names of places he'd volunteered at when he lived in our city). 

I don't really think it's appropriate of you to question my sincerity with no proof of your own. I was simply offering some advice to be cautious in this current heightened immigration environment. There are indeed regulations around volunteering for profit and non-profit organizations, especially if the volunteer would perform work that might otherwise take work away from a citizen or someone else with authorization to work in this country.  The original poster also mentioned the beneficiary helping a friend with some work projects as well.  I would rather err on the side of caution than perhaps create a situation that might open myself or my beneficiary to complications when we go for the AOS interview. 

 

What would happen if the interviewer asked the beneficiary if he had performed work and the response was that he had volunteered somewhere. The next few questions might be around what exact volunteer work did the person perform? Did the volunteer work take away from an American/LPR working at the organization? Did you receive any benefit from this volunteer work? Do you expect to receive any future benefit? Can you provide a letter stating XXX from the organization? 

 

If you get the wrong interviewer or someone who is having a bad day, it could cause potential issues. I know i wouldn't want to risk the possible scrutiny. 

 

A few of the USCIS regs surrounding volunteer work and EAD: 

 

89-05 Immigration Briefings 1

95-05 Immigration Briefings 1

[Chris&Ale 153]

1 hour ago, mushroomspore said:

Most AoS cases are taking a full year to adjudicate. AoS generally also involves an interview with USCIS. They used to waive the USCIS interviews for a good portion on K1's because you guys do an interview abroad at the US embassy in your home country. However lately USCIS have been conducting more and more interviews with K1's. Another advantage of doing CR1.

 

K1 is more expensive. If you do CR1, you could instead use the original K1 fee money to travel and see each other while CR1 is pending. CR1 avoids AoS altogether. CR1 takes 12+ months to get the visa and you're a permanent resident upon arrival. K1 takes 8+ months just to get the visa and then it's another year of waiting for AoS on top of THAT. K1 also restricts you to getting married only within the US. I strongly suggest considering CR1 since you haven't filed yet.

 

Edit: just wanted to add that my EAD took 8 months.

Here in South Florida, I have several friends who have been waiting for over 15 months (married USCs while here legally). Local USCIS offices have said it could take up to 22 months in our area for AOS interview. Seems that is happening in other urban areas with large immigrant populations. Ugh...

Edited August 28, 2018 by Chris&Ale