Spending $120 to get a modicum of control - EAD Extended in Boston (09/10)

L

lamborghini

Registered Users (C)
All: Got my EAD extended today (it was expiring in November).

Arrived at the JFK building in downtown Boston at 7:30. Cleared security and walked to the INS section by 7:40. Got in line. Got token around 8:00. Waited until 11:40 when my number was called. Lady behind the counter took the EAD renewal application, the $120 Money Order, a copy of my I-485 receipt notice and my old EAD card. I asked her if she wanted a copy of I-94 (I am still on H1) said "Nope!" Didn't ask for anything else - no pay stubs, no letter from employer, etc.. Went to the back to check status of I-485 on the computer. Came back after 3 minutes and wrote I-485 pending and stamped Approved on the EAD app. Went away again. Came back after another few minutes and stamped IBIS Checked and signed. I probably exchanged at most 10 words with her total (including "hello! I am here to renew my EAD").

She asked me to go pay the cashier. Cashier took her own sweet time and finally handed me a receipt. Asked me to go to the little room by the entrance (where they issue the tokens) and get my EAD card. Another 20 minutes and I had a little piece of plastic in my hand. I was out by 1:00 p.m.

I was a little worried that they might not accept my application as I thought it said in the instructions to apply for EAD renewal at the same place where you had submitted your original I-485/ I765 application (in my case VSC) - but that wasn't the case.

Oh what we all go through to feel a sense of control over our lives. My RD is Sept. Originally I thought of waiting a little longer hoping I-485 might approve, but the lull in the approvals last week followed by the arrival of Sept 11 and the war clouds on the horizon made me act (also knowing my luck - or lack thereof). Maybe I will sleep a little better.

Another part of me feels like I flushed $120 down the toilet. Glad to have verified that the water still swirls counter-clockwise in the northern hemisphere.

good luck to all the waiters

:)
 
Great News,

Does it matter if you live in Boston or suburbs or any one can get EAD renewed from there. I am in a similar situation as yours and was wondering if flying for SFO to Boston is a better idea to get EAD renewal. My I-485 service center is also VSC.

Please reply.
 
Great News Lamborgini

Great news dude,

I am going to print this out and keep it for reference.

Just one question though, I am in NH and INS web-site says to go to Boston, so I think I will be going to Boston.

Can you please tell which state, you are from?

Thanks a bunch.
 
to GC07212001 and 180DaysGuy

GC07212001 and 180DaysGuy

She did not ask me whether I was local to Boston or not (I am local though) - but on the EAD Application you do have to specify your address. Which makes me believe that either INS doesn't care or if they do then they only ask ask questions when they see a non local address - so short answer - I don't know.

Either way give it a shot - all you waste is about 1/2 a day. If the counter person is going to reject your application they will give you your money order back (as you pay after the fact).

180DaysGuy why don't you give it a try and then post your experience for GC07212001 to use. Or GC07212001 come visit boston (It is a great great city) and try it

:)
 
Hi lamborghini,

Thanks, that was really elaborate. just wondering if the same procedure applies for first time EAD application also.
my GC details
RD: 11/6
ND:12/6
FP :3/30/02
EAD never applied.
 
This is the same procedure for the firsttime EAD applications. I just got my EAD yesterday. I am living in california and my service center is VSC. I went to Boston just to get my EAD.
 
to kasak_busak

I wouldn't see why not. There shouldn't be anything else that you will need. However do take the usual (paystubs, employment letter) etc. with you.

One final comment though - I had a copy of the I-765 which the lawyer had filed last year. All I had to do was to copy it out word for word (with a few minor changes on the dates of entry, I-94 etc) for the new one - and i was pretty confident i had it all correct.

So if you can fill it all out o.k. (it's not that hard) you should be all set.
 
Hi gc-VSC2002,

Did they ask you anything about your address. I also stay in California and will fly to Boston to get EAD if that is the fastest way.
 
Will Definitely Post

I will definitely post my experience after a visit to Boston INS for EAD renewal. But I will be going to Boston, INS only in October or November as my EAD is expiring in January '03. Hopefully my approval should come before that (RD Nov '01).

Another thing is that I read on INS web-site, under the Manchester office (NH) section, that all first-time and renewal EAD applications should go to Boston.

Thanks
 
GC07212001 ,
Like lamborghini said, they didn't ask me anything.
But we do need to fill the address in the I765 form.
I used the same address (MA address) which I provided
in the I485 application. I haven't filed AR11 or changed the
address yet. That's why I used the same address.
I would say it's a good idea to go in person and get it
done on the same day.
 
A stupid Q.
Did any of you apply for EAD in person at boston for the first time? Was your 485 pending for more than 90 days? I thought that unless your 485 is not pending for 90 days, you cannot apply for EAD.
 
I got my first EAD in Boston INS just after I received 485 receipt notice, it doesn't have to be pending for 90 days.

lamborghini, few questions for you

You said you are still on H1, how could you be on H1 if you've EAD? I thought once you get EAD H1 get cancelled automatically.

Boston issues EAD same day, so is there any reason you renewed EAD on Sep 10th when it actually expires in Nov?
My EAD expires on 10/11/02, my attorney told me to wait till Oct 1st week, because he thinks my case will be approved before that, if not I can walk-in to Boston office just like you did. Am I taking a risk?

Thanks
fizk
 
fizk and sunny J.

Fizk: You are only on EAD when you use EAD i.e. Apply a new I-9 form (or whatever that is) with your HR and then you start getting paid on the basis of you having an Employment Authorization (based on your A#).

My H1 is valid untill June of next year. The only reason I renewed EAD is in case I get laid off or I voluntarily seek another job.

I did not renew AP as it is valid till Nov of this year and if I change status to EAD/AP, then past Nov I will probably wait for my I-485 to clear before I make a trip abroad.
However if i continue to stay on H1 I will return on H1 and my I-94 's will continue to have the validity till June 2003.

As far as waiting till Oct 1, that is entirely up to you. However if you can convince your employer to pay and get the time away from work to get it, then go get it. Just get it out of the way and you can sleep better, relax a little, be more at ease with everything.

sunny J.: My original EAD (based on I-485) was filed in Vermont Service Center by the lawyer (went with the I-485 app). My I-485 has been pending for like a year now. Boston is (probably) the only INS Center where you can get either new or renew EADs and APs in one day AND you do not have to wait the 90 day period

thanks for listening
:)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thank you lamborghini, for all the information. One more question..

The Lawyer applied my I-485 at VSC. ( RD, ND as mentioned before). I stay in NJ .so in the I-485 he would have put my address as NJ.
Now, If go to Boston for the first time EAD application (as I didn't apply at the time of I-485 appln) will they accept if I put in my address as NJ or will they ask me to post it to VSC.

Thanks, awaiting your advice..
 
very sorry my friend

kasak_busak: I am very sorry to disappoint you my friend, but after i read that gc-VSC2002 was a MA resident and officially still is, I realized that the concept of "jurisdiction" might still hold.

I checked on the Boston district office website and it gives the service areas as

"Service Area:
The Boston District Office services the state of Massachusetts.
Sub Office, Hartford CT, serving all of Connecticut
Sub Office, Providence RI, serving all of Rhode Island
Satellite Office, Manchester NH, serving all of New Hampshire"

www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/boston/aboutus.htm

180DaysGuy is probably fine in applying to Boston as Manchester NH is considered a satellite office, but you living in NJ (and if your official I-485 address is in NJ) it might not work for you. You could try by visiting friends in boston and putting down their address.. they might not ask you for address confirmation. However will it cause confusion at the INS, if they update your I-485 address to that Boston address... I don't know????
 
Do I need bring picture for local EAD renew

I am planning to go to Boston for EAD and Advance parole renew. Do I need bring the immigration picture like first time. How many I need. What is process fee for each renew? Please help me with these question. Thanks
 
I totally agree with lamborghini . If your official address is NJ it is not applicable for you. But from your posting I understand that you are still not sure of the address that you have given for I485.
But when you apply for I485, you will sign that form, even though your lawyer prepared it. So make sure what address you have used when u file the I485. If it is NJ address it's not applicable.
But we r not lawyers anyway. I would suggest you to consult with your lawyer.

for 52000's question : for EAD you don't need immigration pictures. But for AP you need to take immigration pictures with you(2). You can verify these information from www.ins.gov.
 
For 52000

Hi
Please read the first message on my EAD renewal to see what was taken at the counter. You DO NOT need to take ADIT style pictures for EAD as they will take photos right there when they issue the card.

For AP I think you need $110 Money Order and I think you do need to take your own pictures. Also reason as to why you need AP might be asked. However I didn't get AP so can't say for sure.

The INS office is open from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. They start issuing tokens when they open at 7:00. The first case is called around 9:00 a.m. They STOP issuing tokens at NOON and they close their doors for all new people at 1:00. They continue to work late in the afternoon so that all who have token get what they came for..

So if you go, get there really really early like 7:00 and expect to be out by NOON or get there around 11:30 - 11:45 (budget for time spent in line) and expect to be out like 3-4 p.m.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top