how to work and/or study when arriving on K1

[databit 328]

Others are giving you incorrect information about schooling!

 

Most all public colleges and universities require a full year of state residency before you even apply---and it must be documentarily proven, in order to qualify for non-resident tuition. Just showing a green card or a drivers license will not work. The rules are strict. See the regulations for Kansas:

 

https://registrar.ku.edu/residency

https://www.wichita.edu/services/registrar/residency_new.php

 

Private colleges and universities make their own rules, but of course they can be frighteningly expensive. 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

1 hour ago, databit said:

Others are giving you incorrect information about schooling!

 

Most all public colleges and universities require a full year of state residency before you even apply---and it must be documentarily proven, in order to qualify for non-resident tuition. Just showing a green card or a drivers license will not work. The rules are strict. See the regulations for Kansas:

 

https://registrar.ku.edu/residency

https://www.wichita.edu/services/registrar/residency_new.php

 

Private colleges and universities make their own rules, but of course they can be frighteningly expensive. 

Most but not all. Nevada gives you instate residency if you can prove your family /spouse moved for work/other reasons than studying even if it’s before a year.  However, I don’t believe OP’s question was about instate tuition, it was just about can she study. Most (not all) states require proof of acceptable residency or visa to enrol.  For that, having a green card on day 1 definitely helps (whether timing matches the school semester is another issue).
 

They seem unsure what to do anyway, asking about work or studying. Being able to work for 6 months would more than compensate for the costs of the sacrificed k1 (never mind less hassle in getting driver license, etc too).

 

 

 

Edited November 17, 2020 by SusieQQQ

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

3 hours ago, Loren Y said:

Most schools will let you enroll. When you arrive get your SS card first thing, and a state ID card. Then go to apply at your school using your state ID to show you are a resident of the state you live in. This will avoid the expensive non citizen or out of state resident tuition costs. Worked out for my wife who came on a K1. Working is as others have said 7-8 months from filing the I485.

You are Nevada right? This is pretty rare for most states, NV is one of the exceptions as you already lived there for other reasons than study. 

 

 

Edited November 17, 2020 by SusieQQQ

[SalishSea 17,836]

19 hours ago, JoshandSarah said:

With a K1 Visa am I better off getting a work permit with a I-765 once I arrive or just adjusting status? what is the quickest way to be able to go to college or work??

OP, you are getting feedback here about changing to a CR-1 because you phrased your question in a way that suggests you didn't research or understand the details of the K-1 before sending the petition.

 

Here is the deal:  once you arrive on the K-1, marry, and obtain a certified copy of the marriage certificate, etc, you can send off the AOS (I-485) packet.  At the moment, when applying concurrently, there is no additional charge for the EAD (work permit) and AP (travel permit).  Current processing times for all of these forms are very slow.  7-8 months for EAD/AP, and > one year for AOS interview.

 

 

 

 

 

[JoshandSarah 52]

Jorgedig you didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know but thanks for your input. 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

21 hours ago, JoshandSarah said:

With a K1 Visa am I better off getting a work permit with a I-765 once I arrive or just adjusting status? what is the quickest way to be able to go to college or work??

 

2 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

 Current processing times for all of these forms are very slow.  7-8 months for EAD/AP, and > one year for AOS interview.

 

 

 

 

 

 

36 minutes ago, JoshandSarah said:

Jorgedig you didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know but thanks for your input. 

🤔

Edited November 18, 2020 by SusieQQQ

[JoshandSarah 52]

I'm sorry it's my fault for how I phrased the question, sorry to anyone who's confused cause of me!

[Sarah&Facundo 595]

8 hours ago, databit said:

Others are giving you incorrect information about schooling!

 

Most all public colleges and universities require a full year of state residency before you even apply---and it must be documentarily proven, in order to qualify for non-resident tuition. Just showing a green card or a drivers license will not work. The rules are strict. See the regulations for Kansas:

 

https://registrar.ku.edu/residency

https://www.wichita.edu/services/registrar/residency_new.php

 

Private colleges and universities make their own rules, but of course they can be frighteningly expensive. 

This isn't always true. My husband came on the K1 in 2018. We married in April 2018 and he began attending college in the summer semester June 2018 at in-state tuition. He didn't even receive his green card until February 2019. He could get in-state tuition, but he was not allowed to file a FAFSA for additional scholarship money until he got his green card however.

 

 

OP; Regarding work, it will be many months before you will be allowed to work unfortunately. Back in 2018, my husband did not get his EAD work permit until September 2018 which was 5 months after we filed the paperwork, which we did the week of our wedding. The backlog is much heavier now and with COVID in the mix, it will be much longer now unfortunately.

Edited November 18, 2020 by Sarah&Facundo

[MarryMe987654 244]

Same in Florida. I was able to get a Florida-resident tuition (not that I pay full tuition as I have been studying through grants) just by providing my marriage certificate to prove marriage to a Florida resident as I had only been living in Florida for less than a year when I enrolled. It's true that they require one year residency but it's just one of many conditions that can be met to qualify for the in-state tuition.

 

I provided credential evaluation from their accredited agency so I can get credit for some of the courses I have taken overseas including the other usual requirements (tax forms, ID, bill, etc.)

[CMT 46]

I came to the US on a K1, I just filed my AOS and received the receipt and I'm on the process of enrolling into college. It seems I'll be able to do it, and I don't even have a SSN yet. This is in California though. 

You'll be much better off doing your own research and calling whatever place you want to attend and get your answers from them. VJ answers can be helpful but it doesn't mean they're always right.

 

[JFH 12,190]

On 11/17/2020 at 4:48 PM, JoshandSarah said:

Jorgedig you didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know but thanks for your input. 

So why did you ask? If you already know that you will need to marry, get the official marriage certificate and then file for AOS/EAD before you can work, that’s the only answer there is. Were you maybe thinking there is a “secret” way to be able to work without having to wait the 7+ months for an EAD? If there was, it would be plastered all over this site. There is only one way to work when you arrive on a K-1. Theoretically you are entitled to apply for an EAD as soon as you arrive but it will only be valid for as long as your I-94 stamp (90 days after you enter) but it takes more than 90 days to process so in reality that option doesn’t exist. It will have expired before you get it so it’s a waste of money, ink and postage. 

If you have a written job offer you can request an expedite of the EAD when you are at that stage but that would still likely be a few months after arrival. 
 

The answers you have received that advise of the benefits of marrying first and then applying for a CR-1 (which means the immigrant is a fully-fledged green card holder upon arrival and enjoys all the benefits of that status from day one) are to highlight to readers who are on this thread and who are still researching the options how the K-1 can be the absolute worst choice for many circumstances. From my perspective, you couldn’t pay me enough to do a K-1. I didn’t spend years at university and 20 years climbing the career ladder to be unemployed for 7+ months. But that’s just me... It’s too bad you didn’t actively research on this forum before you returned to your homeland - you were just recently over here in the US and could have had a quick marriage ceremony somewhere and you would now be starting the spousal visa process and wouldn’t need to be asking about how to work or study here quickly when you arrive. 

Edited November 19, 2020 by JFH

[Mackenzie Owens 2]

instead of working honestly just focus on getting certifications which will really boost a resume, Security+, Microsoft's MS900, or just learn a language in that time

[Allovertheworld 355]

Why work?

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

On 12/6/2020 at 1:47 AM, Mackenzie Owens said:

instead of working honestly just focus on getting certifications which will really boost a resume, Security+, Microsoft's MS900, or just learn a language in that time

That all depends on what you want to do. If it was me I would be studying right now for some certs.