EAD (AOS)

Employment Authorization Document. This is evidence that a person is authorized to work in USA. People undergoing Adjustment of Status (AOS or I-485 process) are entitled to an EAD.

Unemployed on AOS EAD/I-485

Question details

Hi, My question is can I stay unemployed on EAD for long period of time (working for the same employer who petitioned me but on bench without payroll)? Can I be like that until my 485 gets adjudicated?. or do I need to show paystubs for each and every month?

Technically, you can be unemployed while on EAD/AOS/I-485. But if you are benched by the employer who petitioned for your green card, that casts doubt on the availability of the green card job. That can lead to revocation of the green card process unless you change employers using AC21 portability.

FAQ Transcript

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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Does approval of an I-485 EAD automatically invalidate my H-1B?

Question details

My Wife and Kid have an appointment to get stamped on H4 as i have a valid H1 till Jan2023 and I am in USA. Now I just received a notification that my EAD card is approved for my GC. Will this impact in any way for my Wife and Kid's H4 Stamping?

Your H-1B remains valid as long as you do not use the EAD. Mere approval of an EAD has no impact.

FAQ Transcript

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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Automatic Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Extension

Between May 4, 2022, and June 2, 2022, some Forms I-797C, Notice of Action, issued to communicate receipt of Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, included outdated language relating to a 180-day automatic extension for certain categories of renewal applicants, instead of language relating to the current 540-day 

"Same or similar job" criteria for green card AC21 portability

Question details

1) I-485 Filed under EB 3 Downgrade - More than one year back and pending
2)Independent I140 Approved both in EB2 and EB3 (Not as Amendment)
3) Currently working on H1B Work Authorization
4) I-485 EAD and AP Available but never used (EB3 Category)

Questions: -
1) If you change your job but by transferring your H1B (Change of Employer) and NOT use EAD, would the AC21 still apply (Same or Similar Job constraint) if you want to keep the I-485 alive?2) You said the last call that for Same of Similar Determination - USCIS Looks at all aspects:
a) Do the Job Duties and Actual Job Title need to be a dollar-to-dollar match?
b) Job Location Changes (One City/State to Another) and Job Mode Changes (From Onsite to Hybrid or Fully Remote) - Allowed?
c) Compensation Differentials - Positive or Negative - Any specific considerations/grey areas
 

Video URL
FAQ Transcript

1. Absolutely fine. There is no law that states that in order to enjoy job portability you must necessarily use your EAD. In fact, in ninety nine percent of the cases I would advise you to transfer on H-1B simply because if there is a problem with your I-485 we are on solid footing to fight it out, otherwise you would be out of status and unlawfully present if your I-485 is denied. Hence definitely keep your H-1B active.
 
2. That depends. It doesn't have to be a one-on-one match job location. You can move from one state to another as this is a part of AC21 compensation. The only time you will have a problem is if the compensation is unexplained and it's a huge jump. Always ask an attorney who understands your situation to review your file. 
 

 

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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Protecting immigration status: Traveling with advance parole, divorce proceedings, and an entrepreneur on an H-1B visa

Question details

1. I-140 didn't get approved but received a GC-EAD card approved for 2-years along with advance parole. Is it fine to travel to India for 2 months or for how long staying from the US is valid while on EAD?
2. I didn't need to worry about having a valid visa while returning to the USA, just advance parole will suffice for return?
3. Prior to getting GC-EAD I was on H4-EAD, due to family issues I may seek a divorce. Now that I have GC-EAD will divorce affect my current status or upcoming Green Card? or should I wait until the Green card is through?
4. I have been an Owner of an Inc company while on H-1 and H-4 and H-4 EAD, but I haven't taken any profits or pay-stubs, except for signing on Company Tax returns. Does this situation restrict me from getting a Green Card? or since I have already received GC-EAD under the EB3 category, should I stay positive that I will receive GC in the near future?
 

Video URL
FAQ Transcript

1. Sure. EAD allows you to work, but advanced parole allows you to come back.
2. The law is if you return to the same job that you were doing on H-1B even though you used your advance parole you are still considered to be on H-1B.
3.  I am assuming that the green card was filed by you and not your wife so the divorce has no effect on you.
4. I do not see any obvious violation of the law. I am just suspicious of that time you were on H-4/H-1 and had your own company. The only time you are completely free is when you were on H-4 EAD.

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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

March 17, 2022, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)

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FAQs: - From F-1 OPT directly applying for a green card - STEM OPT employment parameters, volunteering, part ownership, etc. - Can two employers file H-1B for the same employee using an existing I-140?

Maintaining H-1B status once I-I485 EAD is received after downgrading from EB-2 to EB-3

Question details

I have been on H-1B for the past 16 years. Recently received my I-485 EAD after downgrading from EB-2 to EB-3. Can I work full time for my own company now in the same field or Do I still need to have an employer, if I am ok to give up H-1 status?

 

Video URL
FAQ Transcript

Theoretically at least, the answer is “yes”. The government clearly allows that, but there are a lot of wrinkles. Talk with the lawyer and make sure you understand all the nuances, including employer-employee relationship, genuine job offer etc., and then you can do it. I do not  see any reason why you cannot.

 

Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.

Working for two employers on W-2s using the GC-EAD

Question details

1. I applied for I-485 and it is pending. I received my GC-EAD in Aug. 2021 and started using it for my work. I am currently working for two employers on W-2s using the GC-EAD (GC employer and a new employer). Will USCIS question why I am working with 2 employers on W-2s?  Will it impact the pending I-485?

2.Instead of two W-2s can I convert the second W-2 to a 1099 ?

3.During the GC interview or in the RFE Letter, if they ask to provide a W-2 , can I produce only the primary employer W-2?

4.If the interviewer asks how come you have two W-2s how to answer the question in a more convincing way ?

 

Video URL
FAQ Transcript

Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.