Looking ahead - Question about work

[teachmehistory 0]

hey my vj friends,

this may be the wrong place to post this question, but since I am a july filer I am still very much in the K1 process and thought I would start here! My fiance and I were talking tonight about his looking for work out here and he thought he might start to send out resumes once he gets the visa and before he moves here just to get the ball rolling, and it occurred to me that I dont know much about the employment part of this journey. It was my understanding that he can work on the K1, but how does it work?? I almost dont even know what questions to ask here other than can someone help me understand the process of SSN and employment? Do we apply for his SSN before we get married or after? what is an EAD anyway? what will his status before he gets the greencard (during the AOS)?? and basically when can he go to work? thanks for any responses! this process can be so overwhelming and detailed, its tough to wade through it all.

[YuAndDan 153]

K-1 is a work-authorized visa but only for the first 90 days after entry, and also most employers wont hire unless proof of work authorization is presented, typicaly and EAD stamp in the passport. At the present time, the only place that consistently puts an EAD stamp in the passport is the POE at JFK airport NY City.

K-1 should first marry, and then file for AOS, and file for an EAD card with the AOS filing. Typically EAD takes about 90 days to get.

[Anna Sif 0]

As Yu and Dan said above, your fiance will need to enter the US at JFK to get stamped with a work permit, and even then, think that he will have a period of time in between his K1 expiring, and receiving his EAD, when he will not be able to work. not to mention it'll take a few weeks to get a SSN after he's here (he can apply for a number at a local office a week or two after he lands, just bring his passport with the I-94 they'll give him at immigration when he lands), so unless you're looking at temp work, I'd imagine it'd be hard to find an employer who will hire him for a month, terminate cos he won't be a legal worker anymore, and then rehire him again a few months later.

I don't think it's unwise to start sending resumes around or looking at options. I personally decided not to start in earnest until I got my EAD, because I'd have felt a bit awkward if a company called me to set a job interview and I had to tell them: well, I can't start working for you for another 4-5 months (I landed in the US in mid March and got my work permit over a week ago), but that's up to each person. Just keep in mind after you get married and file for AOS and EAD, it'll take at least a couple of months (if not more) to get the work permit, so he can plan accordingly.

Hope this helps.