Today we ( me and spouse) went to get I-EAD and got EAD itself renewed at NY City.( 26 Federal Plaza). I think they are renewing EAD's instead of issuing I-EADs. Here are our details:
EAD1 Expiry date : March 13, 2004.
EAD2 Receipt date : 04 December 2003. So 90 days have passed.
I took copies of I-765 Receipt, I-485 Receipt, EAD1 Card. I had also filled up a new I-765. In addition to be safe I had copies of Driving License, SS#, approved I-140, ADIT photos.
We drove from LI and reached there at 5.15 AM. There are two parking garages to the right of 26 Federal Plaza on Worth Street. It is very convienient. We used the ICON one. Charged me twenty dollars for the parking. Anything above two hours, I think he charges twenty dollars.
We stood in the line which already had about thirty people. It was very cold and windy. Make sure you dress up very warmly, including gloves and hats.
At 7.00 AM they started to organize the line. By now there were about 150 people in the line which had turned the corner and was halfway in Worth street.
They split the line into two: one for employment authorization (RHS) and one for information (LHS). We took the Employment authorization line.
The security is very strict and no questions are answered by the guy. People who asked questions were threathned they would be sent all the way back in the line. If possible do not talk to the guy.
Once in the line, do not try to change lines, even if you are in the wrong one. They took out two people out of the line and sent them all the way back!
They make you take all the stuff in your pant pockets and shirt pockets and put them in your jacket pockets or in your handbag. This is for security purposes.
The employment line is directed to Room 102. Here three things are checked -
1. Receipt date of pending I-765
2. Receipt date of pending I-485
3. ID ( we showed our passports)
A yellow color paper attached to the top of these documents and you are directed to Rm 900 on the 9 floor. Go up to the room 900 and fill up the yellow form which has about 6 lines, but it is the most important as it is mentioned on this that we are there to get EAD's renewed as 90 days has passed after filing.
Here you give these to a lady who checks them again and takes all the copies. It was about 8.00 AM
After that you wait. We were called back at 10.00 AM and had to show our Driving license and old EAD card. They took the old EAD card and gave back the DL. After that they gave us a printed notice that we were being issued the EAD and asked to go the corner of the room and wait for photos to be taken. It took about 15 minutes after that to get the actual EAD. The validity of the EAD was for one year.
Hope this helps.
