Work Authorization under K1 Visa

[Etherial 277]

A few days ago I applied for Social Security Card ( I came to the US under K1, still not married)

The confirmation receipt they gave me states: You can use your Social Security card for work only if you have authorization from the Department of Homeland Security.

However, they gave me two more papers: SSNAP Printout for Social Security Number Card that has a Ref number and mentions, Lawful Alien Allowed to Work and they also gave me a paper that mentions DHS Case number: xxxxx that mentions: Temporary Employment Authorized

 

I thought that under the K1 visa you were allowed to work but had to apply for EAD.

Has something changed and while the card application goes through the DHS also gives you work authorization or?

[yuna628 9,676]

27 minutes ago, Etherial said:

A few days ago I applied for Social Security Card ( I came to the US under K1, still not married)

The confirmation receipt they gave me states: You can use your Social Security card for work only if you have authorization from the Department of Homeland Security.

However, they gave me two more papers: SSNAP Printout for Social Security Number Card that has a Ref number and mentions, Lawful Alien Allowed to Work and they also gave me a paper that mentions DHS Case number: xxxxx that mentions: Temporary Employment Authorized

 

I thought that under the K1 visa you were allowed to work but had to apply for EAD.

Has something changed and while the card application goes through the DHS also gives you work authorization or?

You are allowed to work once you have authorization. The SSN card you will receive should say ''valid for work only with DHS authorization" on it and the EAD you apply for will be that authorization. You can remove that 'restriction' by going back to the SSA once you obtain your green card.

Edited December 8, 2023 by yuna628

[Etherial 277]

Just now, yuna628 said:

You are allowed to work once you have authorization. The SSN card you will receive should say ''valid for work only with DHS authorization" on it the EAD you apply for will be that authorization. You can remove that 'restriction' by going back to the SSA once you obtain your green card.

I know that part, what i dont know and ask about is that they also gave me a paper that mentions DHS Case number: xxxxx that mentions: Temporary Employment Authorized

[OldUser 6,660]

22 minutes ago, Etherial said:

I know that part, what i dont know and ask about is that they also gave me a paper that mentions DHS Case number: xxxxx that mentions: Temporary Employment Authorized

I doubt employers would accept it. They'd expect EAD or GC.

What does it look like? Can you attach a redacted copy here please?

[Etherial 277]

As I said 2 documents mention the same,

6 hours ago, OldUser said:

I doubt employers would accept it. They'd expect EAD or GC.

What does it look like? Can you attach a redacted copy here please?

Yes 

As I said 2 docs mention the same

SSNAP Printout for Social Security Number Card that has a Ref number and mentions, Lawful Alien Allowed to Work

 

 

DHS Case number: xxxxx that mentions: Temporary Employment Authorized

 

 

The second clearly says DHS return values ... Employment Authorized

I even went online at the DHS website and I can track the DHS case with result "returned to agency"

Edited December 8, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[powerpuff 6,697]

K1s are authorized to work for those 90 days they’re given once they enter the US. CBP used to issue work authorizations for 90 days at the POE. That practice has stopped more than a decade ago. Now you still need a valid EAD to work those 90 days but knowing how long USCIS takes to issue them, it’s just impossible that you’ll actually work in those 90 days. Plus you’d actually have to pay a fee because this isn’t based off of a pending I-485.

In short; they’re not wrong in the paperwork they gave you. But as I explained above it is just not practical and isn’t really a possibility. You will have to wait until you get an EAD based on your I-485. 

 

Edited December 8, 2023 by powerpuff

[EmilyW 1,434]

You will need to apply for work authorization: it's one of the BIGGEST drawbacks of the K1, and one that is well and openly articulated.

[beloved_dingo 1,976]

@powerpuff is correct. Technically, K1 visas are a visa type where "work is allowed". However, to actually legally work, you still need EAD. In the days where EADs were processed quickly or given at POE, it was theoretically possible for K1s to work within those first 90 days of arrival. But now, there is no benefit to trying to get your EAD before filing AOS, especially since it is only free with the AOS package. 

[millefleur 5,046]

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