Lucas03

All 'K' visas have the same "work authorization" granted by the BCIS. It's just that the process of proving the authorization to the SS Administration (for purpose of getting SSN) differs between the K1 and K3. I would guess this is just because the SSA hasn't bothered to realize that the K3 visas out there are work authorized just as much as the K1.
As far as obtaining the physical card itself, which employers are required to actually see, that's a matter of "applying" for it from BCIS. And that is the same process for all "K"s.

HunterGreen

I hope you made sure to get your dog a K9 visa?

(I received some very good (non immigration related) news just minutes ago and I couldn't resist, since I'm busy being all giddy... LOL! Please accept my humble apologies for this lame joke ).

Andy Platt

"HunterGreen" <member@british_expats.com> wrote:

    > I hope you made sure to get your dog a K9 visa?

An old joke that resurfaces every year or so!

Andy.

--
I'm not really here - it's just your warped imagination.

Steffi

I just thought I'd add to this: When I entered on my K1 visa at the Detroit POE (with a connection to Atlanta) I was NOT given a I-551 stamp. At the time of entry I was a bit nervous about everything and it didn't even cross my mind to ask why I hadn't gotten it. So I called the phone line once I was in Atlanta (after people on here said they got one) and was told that as a K1 I wasn't supposed to get a I-551 stamp.

Kristin

Steffi - You continue to confuse two stamps:

The I-551 stamp is the stamp that I-130 visa holders who are processed
at the consulate get when they enter the US.

The EAD stamp is the stamp that K-1s (and only K-1s) get when they cross
the border if they are very lucky.

They are not the same. You were not eligible for or entitled to the
I-551 stamp when you entered in Detroit on your K-1. You were eligible
for the EAD stamp. If it makes you feel any better, Detroit Metro
Airport does not give out the EAD stamp, so failing to ask for it didn't
hurt you, because even if you had asked, they would have told you they
don't give it out.

You will not see the I-551 stamp unti you get approved at your AOS
interview. In the interim, you may get a 1-year EAD, which is not a
stamp, but is a physical card with your fingerprint and photo on it.

I hope that makes things more clear. You may want to read the K-1 FAQ
so you understand the entire AOS process, including what all these
obscure stamps and numbers mean:

http://bcis.stephenpalik.com/faq/k1faq.htm

Steffi wrote:
    > I just thought I'd add to this: When I entered on my K1 visa at the
    > Detroit POE (with a connection to Atlanta) I was NOT given a I-551
    > stamp. At the time of entry I was a bit nervous about everything and it
    > didn't even cross my mind to ask why I hadn't gotten it. So I called the
    > phone line once I was in Atlanta (after people on here said they got
    > one) and was told that as a K1 I wasn't supposed to get a I-551 stamp.
    >
    >
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

meauxna

Maybe you were looking for an EAD/work permit stamp? K1s sometimes get those at the POE.

I-551 is what Permanent Residents get; either upon entry with an Immigrant Visa or (Ks) after Adjustment of Status (AOS). It's the part that is your Green Card (basically).

Steffi

Yeah. Well I wasn't given one of those "I-551 employment authorization" stamps...since other people on this board said they have.

Mrtravel

Foxhound wrote:

    > Thank you all!
    > Very helpful.
    > She'll come straight to Dallas, and we won't worry about a thing. :-D>

That great.. I don't know how secondary inspection is there, but I went
through Immigration there in June and September (from Cancun vacation,
and Mex City work) and there was there wasn't much of a line for normal
inspection. Once I walked right up to the desk and the last time I had
to wait for one person to clear before I got to see someone. It was a
breeze..

Mrtravel

Steffi wrote:

    > Originally posted by meauxna
    >
    >
    >>Maybe you were looking for an EAD/work permit stamp? K1s sometimes get
    >>those at the POE.
    >
    >
    > Yeah. Well I wasn't given one of those "I-551 employment authorization"
    > stamps...since other people on this board said they have.

Again... I-551 is the Green Card. If you get an I-551 stamp that means
you entered on an immigrant visa, not a K visa.

Tracy and Dave

The people who have gotten the I-551 stamp at the airport didn't enter as K-1 or K-3 though. They filed the I-130 and it was processed at the consulate -- as either DCF or with the spouse filing stateside for the I-130.

I'll bet that there isn't anyone who came in on any sort of K visa that was given the I-551 at the airport.

jeffreyhy

Steffi,

You weren't given "one of those "I-551 employment authorization" stamps" because there is no such thing.

The I-551 stamp is the stamp equivalent of the Permanent Resident Card, aka the 'Green Card'.

Steffi

Sorry, I was just copying what someone else had said...

I guess in that case I didn't get my EAD stamp when I entered the country. Would that be the correct thing?

jeffreyhy

Steffi,

A dangerous thing to do :-)

That would be correct!

Steffi

Just to clarify again...I did NOT get my EAD stamp when I entered via the Detroit POE!

(As opposed to my mistake of calling it the "I-551"...sorry guys!)

Daveyboy

Well your joke made ME laugh mate.