I-765: Accompanying Spouse Work Authorisation

[Redsox]

Has anyone been through the process to get work authorisation for their accompanying spouse on an E1/2 or L1?

On the form its says:

Spouse of an E-1/E-2 Treaty Trader or Investor--(a)(17). File your EAD application with evidence of your lawful status and evidence you are a spouse of a principal E-1/E-2, such as your I-94.

Is anything other than an I-94 acceptable i.e. can you apply for authorisation using a notarised copy of the I94 and then leave while it is processed?

My wife is still working in the UK and ideally we want to make a transition from the UK to the US with the minimum period without work and with a wait of up to 90 days for the I-765 that's a long time. Based on our E2 experience we know it could easily take the full 90 days and possibly a lot more :)

We've tried our VA who, having been very good up until now, hasn't been able to help this time...

Thanks

[Emmalee25]

Hiya redsox,
this is what we are doing, the E2 is mine and my husband is my spouse (for a change) my VA says that once we return to the USA with the E2 and I94's thats all we need to apply for the work auth.
Not been thru it yet, hopefully we will be there soon...let me know how yours goes.
Em x

[Susie]

Hi Redsox

Here are my thoughts, although do not know answer

1. Your spouse will have E 2 dependant stamped in passport, Correct?

2. Her I 94 will be dated for 2 years. she applies for work auth with original I 94

Spouse may travel freely between the USA and UK as spouse has vaild dependant stamped in passport. Spouce goes back to the UK for x number of days till worth autho approved.

Spouse would normally hand in I 94 on departure of USA but cannot as it has been sent along with work autho application


Spouse should be able to re-enter the USA and get new I 94 when spouse re-enters the USA


To be sure I would check with the Yexas service centre and the 1-800 number

Also book info pass on line and go to Tampa or Orlando and speak with IO

[DebbieM]

I applied and got one but as it was two years ago I'm a bit sketchy on the detail/time.

What I do know is that is only issued in line with your I-95 hence why they have to see it. After the application was submitted and the payment was made, I think I waited for approx 5 weeks before getting an interview. I had to go to an office on Semoran Blvd, show my passport and I-95 have yet another photo taken and my finger print scanned, within a week or so I got my card complete with photo and finger print. Really painless experience once you get the interview.

Not sure on the wait times now as this was March 05 but as the I-94 used expires in Jan 07 and so does my card, I am about to embark on the renewal process.

I remember getting here and thinking all the paperwork and submitting information was over - it had in fact only just begun. There is as much if not more to do this side of the water to try to put some normality back into your life. However, I don't think I'll ever be normal again:D

[Joanie]

when we arrived here 3 years ago, I had to wait 90 days before I could apply for my Work Authorization card. It came no problem, and then I went along and got my Social Security number. I applied to renew it in December 2005 as it ran out in January 2006, it took until May to come through. I did it myself this time, our Visa lawyer said it was simple to do and it was. It costs $180 every 2 years.

[kimmy]

just got mine you only have to send copies of your visa your spouses visa copies of both your i-94 not orginals and a copy of your wedding certificate
you can do it all on line and then send the documents with your recipt it costs $180 you will then get a appointment to have your biometrics done I had mine done at tampa you need to take photo I D with you
I then got my work authorisation card though a week later ,when you get this you need to go to your local S S office with photo I D again and about a week to 10 days you get your SS number I started to apply for mine on 30th aug and got my ss number last week so not as long as they say

[Redsox]

Thanks everyone - just concerned with the re-entry situation having made the work visa application as my wife would then be on a different I-94 to the one that was submitted...

[DebbieM]

This thread has made me think about the renewal of my WAC but looking on the USCIS web site I can't find anything about renewal only application- could be me??? or does this mean that each time you apply you are treated as a new applicant?

Also can't find the 1-800 no for Texas can anyone help?

Not having a good day:(

Debs

[mark]

Here is the number for Texas

1 800 375 5283

You may be held in queue for long time and when you get through you will speak to admin. It is hard to get put through to am immigration officer and they will only do it if you say you have a problem or concern with your case