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Hi all,
From date of filing (with an attorney) to today (EAD card out for delivery with USPS Priority Mail) 104 days. I have nearly ripped my hair out from mistakes and misunderstandings - the attorney sent the wrong $ amount so the case wasn't accepted. That cost me around 3 weeks on top of this... anyway I won't bore anyone but share my top tips for a smooth application process, that I wish I had known before I began.
1) If you file with an attorney - check they know what the filing fee is !
2) Once filed - look up your local Congressman and contact their office. Explain you need help expediting your EAD. They will meet you and ask you to sign a 'Privacy' notice - authorizing them to assist you.
3) Sign up on the USCIS website for an account and text updates BUT don't rely on the text service. Sometimes I got nothing when there was an update and other times I got 4 in a row. Log on daily and check yourself.
4) Don't panic if your USCIS timeline posts are in what seems the wrong order - it happens. My card was 'mailed' before it was 'approved'.
4B) If you see an update " we sent a response to your inquiry about the status of your Employment Authorization application" generally means nothing, just time wasting. If your case is transferred, it just means from one office to another to share the work load. Nothing else to worry about.
5) Updates that means something are; Case Received, Approved, Card Produced, Card Mailed. Other stuff is just official noise.
6) If confused call. The first agents to speak to you are on tier 1 - they have no authority - ask to be transferred to tier 2 where you will speak with an Immigration Officer.
7) Always be clear and concise - they don't need your complaints or story - you are there to talk about your EAD. If you have financial hardship and need this expediting, they may ask for proof so don't speak out if it's not true.
8) You may have been told that you will get a 'tracking number' once your card has been mailed. I didn't - I had to call tier 2 and get the tracking info, that's the only way I know it's out for delivery today.
Most of all don't drive yourself crazy. They are very over loaded with cases currently and unless your are an asylum seeker it won't happen fast. Do all of the above - that's all you can do. If it comes in under 100 days - you got lucky and good for you. I really wish someone had posted all of this before I started my process - there are bits of info here and there but no top tips, I hope this helps each and everyone of you reading this and you don't have a hard time like I did.
Best of luck everyone ! x
- - - Updated - - -
I also plan to renew at the earliest window - 180 days (6 months) before expiration. I will be mailing my papers on day 181. I will contact my Congressman's office for expediting since they are running behind on these too. Don't wait - 180 days is the earliest and it can take longer than that.
From date of filing (with an attorney) to today (EAD card out for delivery with USPS Priority Mail) 104 days. I have nearly ripped my hair out from mistakes and misunderstandings - the attorney sent the wrong $ amount so the case wasn't accepted. That cost me around 3 weeks on top of this... anyway I won't bore anyone but share my top tips for a smooth application process, that I wish I had known before I began.
1) If you file with an attorney - check they know what the filing fee is !
2) Once filed - look up your local Congressman and contact their office. Explain you need help expediting your EAD. They will meet you and ask you to sign a 'Privacy' notice - authorizing them to assist you.
3) Sign up on the USCIS website for an account and text updates BUT don't rely on the text service. Sometimes I got nothing when there was an update and other times I got 4 in a row. Log on daily and check yourself.
4) Don't panic if your USCIS timeline posts are in what seems the wrong order - it happens. My card was 'mailed' before it was 'approved'.
4B) If you see an update " we sent a response to your inquiry about the status of your Employment Authorization application" generally means nothing, just time wasting. If your case is transferred, it just means from one office to another to share the work load. Nothing else to worry about.
5) Updates that means something are; Case Received, Approved, Card Produced, Card Mailed. Other stuff is just official noise.
6) If confused call. The first agents to speak to you are on tier 1 - they have no authority - ask to be transferred to tier 2 where you will speak with an Immigration Officer.
7) Always be clear and concise - they don't need your complaints or story - you are there to talk about your EAD. If you have financial hardship and need this expediting, they may ask for proof so don't speak out if it's not true.
8) You may have been told that you will get a 'tracking number' once your card has been mailed. I didn't - I had to call tier 2 and get the tracking info, that's the only way I know it's out for delivery today.
Most of all don't drive yourself crazy. They are very over loaded with cases currently and unless your are an asylum seeker it won't happen fast. Do all of the above - that's all you can do. If it comes in under 100 days - you got lucky and good for you. I really wish someone had posted all of this before I started my process - there are bits of info here and there but no top tips, I hope this helps each and everyone of you reading this and you don't have a hard time like I did.
Best of luck everyone ! x
- - - Updated - - -
I also plan to renew at the earliest window - 180 days (6 months) before expiration. I will be mailing my papers on day 181. I will contact my Congressman's office for expediting since they are running behind on these too. Don't wait - 180 days is the earliest and it can take longer than that.
