EAD (WorkPermit)

Wanted to write in my experience as I think it may give people an idea of what to do, however, might discourage a few people as well. (some dates may be off by a few days)

Case received October 13th 2017
I rang in on day 110 (ish) to ask about my case and was told that I should have a reply soon. Basically they told me my case was received by an officer and to wait a bit longer.

I decided to wait until day 125 before contacting anyone because I didn't want to be seen as annoying.

I rang in and enquired about my case on February 15th and was told that my case is received again, I raised a service request. I heard nothing from that service request so after two weeks I made another one. Again heard nothing. (I did eventually receive a letter telling me they have received my service request - 2 months after raising it)

I rang again in March, and was told by a level 2 officer that 'they are getting to my case soon and should get my Card in March because my case has everything they need'.

I had been applying for jobs and thankfully got offered one, they gave me a start date at the end of April / start of May. .

My card never showed up in March, so I rang again. Once again the person on the phone didn't really seem to have a clue about my case and told me 'it should be soon but you will have an answer by May 27th'...... that would be heading towards the 8 month mark.

This convinced me that anyone I spoke to on the phone through the helpline didn't really know anything. Not their fault I guess, they just answer phones but them not knowing and telling me random stuff on the phone was no good to me. Neither was May 27th so at this point I contacted the local congressman's office and a guy who works there got back to me.

Best thing I did. In one phone call he had found out which office had my case and that my case had 'been put on hold to do more background checks' .....nobody on the phone lines told me this, they kept telling me id get my card 'soon'. Told me 'Soon' then 'March'...then '27th of May'. The congressman's office found out more in one phone call than I had found out in 4 phone calls over 2 months.

I send the guy in the congressmans office my offer of employment and start dates, after sending this he managed to get it pushed through within a few days of sending them the information. If anyone has a job offer and you are more than 120 days in I would recommend seeking help. God knows how long I would have been waiting without his help and I very nearly lost a job because of it. A job I couldn't afford to lose both financially or professionally.

I got my notice of my EAD approval and card being produced on Day 196.

As you can imagine its depressing waiting so long but you do eventually get there. Definitely seek help though, especially if you have been offered work.