F1 student - AOS - on campus work?

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Denglsih28

Registered Users (C)
Hi everyone,

I got married to a USC and would like to do AOS soon. I am currently on F1 and hold a 20h per week position on campus. I've researched a lot but get confusing answers all over. Hopefully someone can help me out!

Can I still work on campus after I file all the AOS paperwork? I have read that if I don't apply for EAD then I can maintain my F1 status and work on campus as well! Is that true?

I need that job which covers my tuition as well, and waiting for the EAD is not really an option for me.

Thank you all for the help!
 
As long as you remain within the US and continue to attend school and otherwise comply with the requirements of your F1 status, you can continue to work on campus and keep other benefits of your F1 status while your AOS is pending. Merely applying for or obtaining EAD won't affect that. Leaving the US or actually using the EAD is a different story.
 
Thank you! That's what I thought but I wanted clarify that information. Most likely, I will not apply for EAD since I don't really need it as long as I can work on campus without it. Thanks again
 
You should apply for the EAD. It is free and can't hurt. Just because you get an EAD doesn't mean you have to use the EAD.
 
I guess I don't really understand how the EAD works then. So I can apply for it but how can I prove then that I used it or not? Is there some kind of activation required?
 
Denglsih28 said:
I guess I don't really understand how the EAD works then. So I can apply for it but how can I prove then that I used it or not? Is there some kind of activation required?
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Using it would mean showing it to an employer when filling out the I-9 for a new employer. The employer would then make a record of the EAD and its expiration date, and perhaps also take a photocopy of it.

You don't have to prove you didn't use it. If they suspect you used it they can investigate employers and external databases like IRS or Social Security.

Once you get the EAD, it's probably to your advantage to use it. Although using it would make you lose your F1 status, it would allow you to work longer than the usual 20-hour limit for F1 students, and work off campus, while still allowing you to study.
 
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I am in the same situation

Jackolantern said:
Once you get the EAD, it's probably to your advantage to use it. Although using it would make you lose your F1 status, it would allow you to work longer than the usual 20-hour limit for F1 students, and work off campus, while still allowing you to study.
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Hi Jackolantern,

I am on F1 and have GA at the Grad school. If I use the EAD as soon I get it, I have an opportunity to work more than 20 hours on/off campus and a better pay rate.

I intend to continue studying even though F1 status is lost because of EAD use.

Is it necessary I wait till I get my green card to be safe ? This is still a grey area to me.

Please clarify.

Thank you
 
lovelylady said:
Is it necessary I wait till I get my green card to be safe ? This is still a grey area to me.
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With the EAD, there's no need to wait for the green card if you want to work off-campus or more than 20 hours, unless you have a particular need for your F1 status such as a child with an F2 visa (and even if that is the case your child would probably be eligible for AOS along with you, making the F2 unnecessary).

Once you decide to use the EAD, show it and your I-485 receipt to the appropriate official in your school's International Student Office (or whatever they call it) so they can remove you from SEVIS monitoring. Otherwise they might raise an alarm in the system if they find out that you're not complying with F1 status, for example suppose you got a 2nd job on campus which put you beyond 20 hours/week, or you dropped to part-time studies without permission. If you get the green card before having the opportunity to use the EAD, show them the green card so they can do the same and remove you from SEVIS.
 
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