EAD (WorkPermit)

I am a trainee doctor. I came to the US on a J2 visa. I was offered a clinical fellowship (medical) in a hospital in the USA. My work involves taking care of patients. I needed the EAD to join the fellowship. Applied to the Vermont Service Center. 1st time EAD applicant. I was under the assumption that since my hospital was a “not for profit organization” and my line of work was in the “social and cultural interests” of the US, my expedite request would be approved without much of a problem. But the process took unusually longer than I anticipated.

I had to involve the congressman of my area and also the immigration lawyer in my hospital. I was happy that the card got approved 20 days earlier than the usual processing time. But I do think it was a lot of effort and stress before the EAD was finally obtained. Thankfully, my hospital did not have a problem in waiting a few more days me to begin my work.

Advice to EAD applicants: The expedite process can be nerve wrecking. Even if your criteria is 100% genuine, the expedite request might not always be granted. Working through the congressman and/or your immigration lawyer helps. But I do have a feel USCIS is slow even in approving genuine expedite cases. People who have applied for an expedite and waiting, hang in there. I completely understand how frustrating the process can be.

Fellowship actual start date- August 1, 2015

June 2- Landed in the US on a J2 visa, fedexed EAD documents to USCIS
June 3- USCIS received documents and case created
June 26- Expedite request- over phone by self to the national service center (without biometrics)
June 30- Expedite rejected (without biometrics)
July 1- Called Congressman’s office
July 3- Submitted documents/ privacy release form at Congressman’s office
July 6- Congressman’s office emaied USCIS
July 9- USCIS replies to congressman’s email with Biometrics Appointment as a PDF file
July 9- Completed biometrics (walk in)
July 10- 2nd expedite request over phone by self (with biometrics completed)
July 11- Receive biometrics appointment by postal mail!
July 15- 2nd expedite request denied
July 16- Called immigration attorney and submitted all documents to immigration lawyer
July 20- Expedite request from lawyer to USCIS center- email
July 28- Expedite reconsideration from Congressman
July 28- Expedite request from lawyer to USCIS center- fedexed
July 31- 3rd expedite request over phone by self
Aug 4- Request denied
Aug 10- Status changed to “Card produced”
Aug 18- Received EAD by post in hand

Fellowship stated- Aug 19