EAD request from outside USA

[Daniel Herrera]

Dear Immihelp representatives,

I am evaluating my chances to move to USA being here in Chile. I would like to know if there I can request EAD before travelling and getting a job in USA, I know that work authorization is requested my USA employers, therefore I am unable to be considered for a position being here in Chile without such authorization document.

I did work and travel program while I was studying (I have SSN under J1 VISA as I can recall and USA driver's licence) and in the past months I spend some of my vacations in USA (under B1/B2 VISA). I wonder if those facts can actually serve to improve my chances to obtain immigration status to USA and be allowed to work.

I am looking forward for your answer. If you need further information please contact me at this email address. Thank you for your time.

Regards,

Daniel Herrera.

[rayb]

You cannot apply for an EAD in advance of having a U.S. status which allows you to work in the U.S.

--Ray B

Dear Immihelp representatives,

I am evaluating my chances to move to USA being here in Chile. I would like to know if there I can request EAD before travelling and getting a job in USA, I know that work authorization is requested my USA employers, therefore I am unable to be considered for a position being here in Chile without such authorization document.

I did work and travel program while I was studying (I have SSN under J1 VISA as I can recall and USA driver's licence) and in the past months I spend some of my vacations in USA (under B1/B2 VISA). I wonder if those facts can actually serve to improve my chances to obtain immigration status to USA and be allowed to work.

I am looking forward for your answer. If you need further information please contact me at this email address. Thank you for your time.

Regards,

Daniel Herrera.

[Daniel Herrera]

Dear Ray,

What is(are) my chance(s) instead? Should I have an sponsor in USA as my only resource or I can try another approach?

It is difficult to quit my job and put on risk everything without even have an employment authorization.

Regards,

Daniel.

You cannot apply for an EAD in advance of having a U.S. status which allows you to work in the U.S.

--Ray B

[rayb]

Daniel,

A sponsor in the U.S. is not what you need. You need a genuine legal basis to come to the U.S.....a job offer from someone who can do your employment-based visa paperwork or a petition from a relative. USCIS does not give out employment authorizations in advance of someone's arrival in the States.

-Ray B

Dear Ray,

What is(are) my chance(s) instead? Should I have an sponsor in USA as my only resource or I can try another approach?

It is difficult to quit my job and put on risk everything without even have an employment authorization.

Regards,

Daniel.

[Daniel Herrera]

Thanks Ray for your help.

From my point of view, I need to be employed before starting documenting process. The issue here as far as I know not so many employers are willing to run in this process and they prefer instead to hire people in USA with already issued EAD.

In summary, according to my options (please correct me if I am wrong) the most reasonable thing I could do is to quit my job here and play some lottery finding a job after issued EAD being in USA waiting for 3-4 months in the best case. As I predicted before starting this query is kind of a big bet.

Regards,

Daniel.

Daniel,

A sponsor in the U.S. is not what you need. You need a genuine legal basis to come to the U.S.....a job offer from someone who can do your employment-based visa paperwork or a petition from a relative. USCIS does not give out employment authorizations in advance of someone's arrival in the States.

-Ray B

[rayb]

Daniel,

The majority of employment-based visa applicants are assisted by recruitment agencies, and these agencies generally arrange for all paperwork completions. But fees are involved,sometimes partially in advance, and often payable from earnings after you are in the U.S.

Contrary to what you are saying below, there is a big need for foreign workers to come to the U.S. to fill vacancies for which American workers cannot be found.

You cannot get an employment-based visa without a job offer and assistance from that employer in completing your needed visa application.

EAD is not given in advance of arrival in the U.S.

--Ray B

Thanks Ray for your help.

From my point of view, I need to be employed before starting documenting process. The issue here as far as I know not so many employers are willing to run in this process and they prefer instead to hire people in USA with already issued EAD.

In summary, according to my options (please correct me if I am wrong) the most reasonable thing I could do is to quit my job here and play some lottery finding a job after issued EAD being in USA waiting for 3-4 months in the best case. As I predicted before starting this query is kind of a big bet.

Regards,

Daniel.

[Daniel Herrera]

Ok Ray, I will keep then hope finding an opportunity in U.S.

Despite the unavailability to obtain EAD in advance, you state that there are still chances to foreign workers, I think that is enough for me at this moment.

Just one more question. How can I contact U.S. recruitment agencies?

Regards,

Daniel.

Daniel,

The majority of employment-based visa applicants are assisted by recruitment agencies, and these agencies generally arrange for all paperwork completions. But fees are involved,sometimes partially in advance, and often payable from earnings after you are in the U.S.

Contrary to what you are saying below, there is a big need for foreign workers to come to the U.S. to fill vacancies for which American workers cannot be found.

You cannot get an employment-based visa without a job offer and assistance from that employer in completing your needed visa application.

EAD is not given in advance of arrival in the U.S.

--Ray B

[rayb]

What is your country? If Philippines, I can direct you to recruitment agencies. If other countries, I can probably give you some leads.

--Ray B

Ok Ray, I will keep then hope finding an opportunity in U.S.

Despite the unavailability to obtain EAD in advance, you state that there are still chances to foreign workers, I think that is enough for me at this moment.

Just one more question. How can I contact U.S. recruitment agencies?

Regards,

Daniel.

[Daniel Herrera]

It's Chile.
Daniel.

What is your country? If Philippines, I can direct you to recruitment agencies. If other countries, I can probably give you some leads.

--Ray B

[rayb]

Daniel,

Your best bet is to get referrals from other Chilean nationals you know who have had success with recruitment agencies which are active in Chile. If not using referrrals from people with personal experience, you risk getting connected with a recruitment agency whose track record, fees or ethics are not reliable.

You should also consider applying for a visitor visa to travel to the U.S. on vacation, which will give you 3 or 6 months (if approved) on arrival, with one extension usually allowed. Also, as of March of 2014, Chilean citizens can apply for Visa Waiver (ESTA) entry to U.S. Chile is the only Latin American countries for which "visa waiver" access to the U.S. is available.

--Ray B

It's Chile.
Daniel.

[Daniel Herrera]

Ray,

Thank you for your information. I will start the research as you mentioned within my contacts. From my personal experience, I have known about some agencies but they are involved in work and travel programs for students which they do not apply for me anymore.

I currently hold a B1/B2 visa issued this year and last for 10 years (I obtained just days before the announcement of the "visa waiver" program) and one of the most relevant outcomes from my visit was definitely give myself a try in such a great country. In fact since you recommended to have this visa, now I wonder if telling potential U.S. employers that I have this visa maybe can be an enabler to visit them (for personal interview) if there exist a high interest of hiring me.

I hope to do not bother you with so many questions I have done, I did not know that you have this communication platform for immigration concerns.

Daniel.

Daniel,

Your best bet is to get referrals from other Chilean nationals you know who have had success with recruitment agencies which are active in Chile. If not using referrrals from people with personal experience, you risk getting connected with a recruitment agency whose track record, fees or ethics are not reliable.

You should also consider applying for a visitor visa to travel to the U.S. on vacation, which will give you 3 or 6 months (if approved) on arrival, with one extension usually allowed. Also, as of March of 2014, Chilean citizens can apply for Visa Waiver (ESTA) entry to U.S. Chile is the only Latin American countries for which "visa waiver" access to the U.S. is available.

--Ray B

[MDRO]

Hi,

My initial OPT was denied while I was traveling from US to India after graduation ( due to medical emergency, have reports as proof) and so had to reapply from India as I was still in my 60 days grace period. Will the EAD again be denied in this situation as I was outside US at the time of application? What about the medical situation? Any chance USCIS will make an exception?