British Expatriate Network

Anyone know how to do this?
Came here Sept 2001 on fiance visa, married in Oct - my EA card runs out this December. What paperwork do I need to fill in? Do I have to go the INS office in person to get the new card (I guess I might as it's got a piture on it)?

I'm just trying to find a way out of going to the INS office - there's only one office in Atlanta and when the doors open in the morning at 0745 there are already over 100 people queuing down the street!!!!

Cheers
Happy Al

So you have not recieved your greencard yet or had your marriage interview? As far as I know, you have to re-apply for your EAD at least 90 days before your current one expires. They should have given you some paperwork detailing what to do. If all else fails you could try calling the INS. My guess is you will have to go in person, although since you have already been issued one, they might just send your renewed one in the post. I'll probably have to go through the same thing next March, so I'd be interested in hearing the procedure if you find out.

As a fiancé, you are only entitled to one 3-month EAD. The next time you apply for an EAD is when you file for AOS.

It sounds like you didn't actually do this though :razz: What you need to do now is go to INS site and look up the page relating to your district office. Read their procedures about EAD renewals and follow that to a letter. You can find out from sites such as Shusterman's, how long it takes for them to issue your EAD.

If you face a wait for your EAD, you shouldn't need to worry about the expiry of your current one as a) illegal work is always forgiven for in-status spouses and b) they will back date your EAD to some random date - but don't quote me on this rule.