Hi Mom,
My Wife's Number is becoming current this May and I am also a derivative applicant.
Now, my Wife is a grad student (on an F1 Student Visa) and she is graduating this June. Come May 1st, we are going to send our AOS Packages (for her and Myself).
1) Do we mail the two AOS Packages separately or could/should they be together? My current assumption is as long as they're properly compiled in two separate folders/bundles (one folder containing all of her documents and the other folder containing all of my documents), then they can still be mailed together?
Also, my Wife will need to apply for OPT Work Authorization, using Form I-765. She can start applying for OPT as soon as 90 days prior to her graduation or as late as 60 days after her graduation.
2) Will applying for this OPT separately from the AOS Application cause any conflict with our AOS Applications?
I notice that there is also an option to apply for Work Authorization with/through this AOS Application but we feel that applying through her F1 Visa (OPT Route) may be a little bit safer as it would also extend her F1 Visa Validity by another year, upon approval of the OPT. OPT is valid for a year. So in case our AOS Application moves a bit slower than expected and if we receive our GCs only in July/Aug/Sept, at least her F1 Visa validity would be extended beyond June (because of the OPT Approval).
3) Do you think we are making the right move, with regards to applying for Work Authorization through F1 instead of AOS?
Any input would be appreciated!
Thanks again for everything you've done for all of us!