expedited work authorization

[jtrh 27]

My fiancé has the K1 visa and is looking to adjust his status to get the work authorization. I've heard whispers that if he is extended a formal job offer in writing before receiving the work authorization, he could send evidence of the job offer in order to expedite his green card. Is this true? What is the process for doing so? And has anyone been granted an expedited card recently given the growing delays?

 

He is applying for jobs now, and the first thing he'll be asked is "can you legally work in the US?" We want some information that would help him give an informed and reassuring answer to the hiring company. Something like "No, but if you extend me an offer, I can expedite my authorization in X weeks/months."

 

Thank you!

[debbiedoo 2,339]

he can not expedite his green card. with a firm job offer, he MAY be able to expedite the EAD. There is no guarantee or promise on a timeline for it or if it would be approved at all.

[Roel 7,192]

You can't expedite green card. You can - try - to expedite the work permit aka EAD, if there will be an official job offer.

[jtrh 27]

Hey thanks to both of you. I've been using work authorization and green card interchangeably, but what I'm talking about is the initial work authorization that he gets after marriage on the K1. So the EAD I guess.

 

Any more info on how the process works?

[geowrian 22,337]

You call USCIS and ask for an expedite of the I-765 (EAD). Expedite criteria: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/expedite-criteria

A firm job offer may or may not be approved, and timelines could be weeks to months even if approved.

[Gibus 202]

I tried to expedite an AP recently with, I thought, a solid case. It was denied without even asking for proofs, due to to the high volume of expedite request.

I think it's the same for EAD, a lot of people try to expedite it so, you can try but there's great chances that they will refuse to expedite.

[jtrh 27]

2 hours ago, Gibus said:

I tried to expedite an AP recently with, I thought, a solid case. It was denied without even asking for proofs, due to to the high volume of expedite request.

I think it's the same for EAD, a lot of people try to expedite it so, you can try but there's great chances that they will refuse to expedite.

 

Grrr, that's what I was afraid of! Maybe there would be less expedite requests if they got their act together and it wasn't taking 4-5 months 🤔

 

Well thanks for the tips. Seems like it's something we can attempt but shouldn't rely on. I'm crossing my fingers that they start processing these faster because it's really tough for a newcomer to the country to sit around and twiddle their thumbs for months when they want to be working and integrating into US culture... 

[geowrian 22,337]

22 minutes ago, jtrh said:

Grrr, that's what I was afraid of! Maybe there would be less expedite requests if they got their act together and it wasn't taking 4-5 months 🤔

It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. The system gets backlogged -> more people request an expedite -> expedites take longer -> more expedites are sent -> less time is spent on adjudicating non-expedites -> system gets more backlogged.

[Gibus 202]

1 hour ago, jtrh said:

 

Grrr, that's what I was afraid of! Maybe there would be less expedite requests if they got their act together and it wasn't taking 4-5 months 🤔

 

Well thanks for the tips. Seems like it's something we can attempt but shouldn't rely on. I'm crossing my fingers that they start processing these faster because it's really tough for a newcomer to the country to sit around and twiddle their thumbs for months when they want to be working and integrating into US culture... 

I hear you! But after spending too much energy on this I just gave up, I’m gonna wait and stop making myself sick about it!