Lostman

I have my SSN, so I will just wait for my EAD before I apply but get everything ready in the mean time...great, thanks!

Elvira

Year 5???!!!

Aren't you applying for the Holy Grail, I mean GC?

ladyofthelake

Yep, the Labor Certification is stuck in the back log center, so haven't even reached the USCIS stage yet. Several more years of waiting ahead for me

TN-Dave

YIKES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

TN-Dave

EEKS ! ..... and I thought I have patience !........ I came via the K-1 route, rather than H4.

Elvira

I thought there's something called PERM nowadays? (Sorry I'm a bit vague on this as my DH didn't need LC, but I thought it was a way of speeding up the process of getting to the point where you can actually apply for the GC...)

(Sorry if we're going off topic here but I think the OP's questions have been answered...)

ladyofthelake

Is it any wonder I'm ready to leave?

Sadly, the rest of the family are happily getting on with life here.

Dan725

I'd have to say maybe start applying now. It's not the easiest thing in the world to get a job over here for most people. Different rules regs and attitudes.

Elvira

But your kids aren't allowed to work either - lets hope your DH gets his LC before they turn 16... Not being allowed to work was a HUGE problem for our oldest son and contributed immensely to his disaffection with this country.

I have never figured out WHY H4s are not allowed to work; makes no sense to me at all. Why allow people to live here long-term but not allow them to work? Particularly since L2 spouses may work. But then, not much to do with USCIS makes any sense...

ladyofthelake

Yes, but the OH's application went in a year before PERM came into being. There have been long discussions whether to throw away the old app and start again or stay as we are. Now the EB3 visa numbers have retrogressed back to 2001 (I think) it made more sense to stick the old application and old priority date. It's not going anywhere fast, which ever route is taken.

TouristTrap

It is worth it in the long run. I've known many qualified people shred their apps and leave the country because they were fed up with the wait times.

Hang in there Maybe take some college courses in the meantime?

Ben

That's what I was going to suggest and what I did while waiting for my EAD. Like a previous poster mentioned, even though I was on an L2 I couldn't work and then when we were allowed EAD's it was faster to wait for my EAD with my change of status to greencard. So I decided to take some college courses and loved it. Loved it so much that I carried on even after I got my EAD

If money is tight, look into the private colleges. When I didn't know what I wanted to do and didn't know how long it was going to be before I could work, I was approached by one of the private colleges at a meeting who said that they allow some students to work on campus and the money goes straight to pay for their courses. This, apparently, takes away the need for a work permit. Could be worth looking at if you don't have the money for college.

Elvira

Be very careful: they were referring to students with student visas, not H4s!

H4s are not allowed to work, period. Bummer that...

ladyofthelake

I've thought about it, and am still pondering it. I have a good idea what I would do, just need the extra gumption to go ahead and do it.
I did the GED at the begining of the year, though it didn't take quite as long as I thought it would, I did the test after 4 weeks of recapping.

meauxna

A quick correction to that, Elvira..

An employment authorized person can apply for their Social Security card. That person can then be hired by an employer and start working AND get paid before the SS card actually comes, if they can provide proof of applying for the SS account. Details at form I-9 and its instruction for employers, many found at ssa.gov

As for getting the SS application in, WRT the EAD: it actually does no good to wait the 10 days IF the person's status has 'only' been upgraded via EAD. The USCIS does not seem to update their SAVE database to reflect newly awarded EADs. An EAD holder may as well bite the bullet and go right into the SSA office and get an application underway, because it's a 90% chance (my made up figure) that their file will require manual verification anyway.
The 10 days wait.. I used to say the same for newly entered K-1s, but many of them find that an early application goes straight through, so there is no benefit in waiting.

Overall, I think there is never a benefit in waiting before going to SSA, but one would be well-served by searching for mdyoung's posts for tips before they do so.
The exception would be those entering with an Immigrant Visa. If they ticked 'yes' to 'I want a SS#' on the back of DS-230, they will get one, but it will take nearly a month after arrival in the US. If that person gets impatient and goes to SSA and puts in an application, they may wind up with 2 SSA accounts (PITA to clear up).