Question for green card holders

[sigler]

Almost everyone who gets a green card goes through the adjustment of status phase towards the end of the process. At some point during AOS, you get an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which gives you the right to work in the US but is not yet the final permanent residency document. My question is, do US airlines hire pilots with an EAD or do they make you wait until your green card process is 100% finished?

[havick]

Originally Posted by sigler

Almost everyone who gets a green card goes through the adjustment of status phase towards the end of the process. At some point during AOS, you get an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which gives you the right to work in the US but is not yet the final permanent residency document. My question is, do US airlines hire pilots with an EAD or do they make you wait until your green card process is 100% finished?

An EAD allows you to work in the US and there should be no discrimination between an EAD and a green card. That being said you can’t leave the USA until you have your green card as USCIS would consist you to have abandoned your application if you leave without advanced parole.

Airlines really don’t understand anything other than a green card so I doubt you will have much luck without it.

[sigler]

Originally Posted by havick

An EAD allows you to work in the US and there should be no discrimination between an EAD and a green card. That being said you can’t leave the USA until you have your green card as USCIS would consist you to have abandoned your application if you leave without advanced parole.

Airlines really don’t understand anything other than a green card so I doubt you will have much luck without it.

Well, one can leave the US during the adjustment of process phase if he/she has a valid visa, such as an H visa, without affecting their application. That being said, I agree that most airlines don’t really understand the difference between an EAD and a green card. Maybe someone who’s tried applying with an EAD will chime in.

[flyboyike]

Originally Posted by sigler

Almost everyone who gets a green card goes through the adjustment of status phase towards the end of the process. At some point during AOS, you get an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which gives you the right to work in the US but is not yet the final permanent residency document. My question is, do US airlines hire pilots with an EAD or do they make you wait until your green card process is 100% finished?

I was hired by my first airline before I got my Green Card (granted, only about 6 months before). I held a Refugee Travel Document which was good enough, because the only international stuff we did was Canada. Had no issues other than one Customs guy at BOS had me fill out an I-94 "just in case".

[sigler]

Thanks for the info. It sounds like some airlines are happy with an EAD.

[raysalmon]

It's against the law to require specific documents to prove work authorization. In other words, they cannot ask you for a "green card", they may only ask you to prove you are authorized to work in the U.S. Look at the instructions for completing the I-9 form. Pretty clear on there what the employer's obligations are.

[sigler]

Great info, thank you very much

[Norman Goering]

Sigler- forgive my nosiness, what nationality are you and if not UK, is it the same process to get the EAD? All I keep seeing is a viscious cycle right now in my efforts!

[sigler]

I am not from the UK, but the adjustment of status phase is the same regardless of your country of origin. Do you already have an approved immigrant visa petition? If so, the EAD should come anywhere 3 to 6 months after you file your I-485, on average.

[flyboyike]

Originally Posted by raysalmon

It's against the law to require specific documents to prove work authorization. In other words, they cannot ask you for a "green card", they may only ask you to prove you are authorized to work in the U.S. Look at the instructions for completing the I-9 form. Pretty clear on there what the employer's obligations are.

Since Green Card is one of the documents listed on the I-9 form, technically yes, they can ask you for it specifically, particularly if lack thereof might limit the airline's ability to schedule you for some destinations. There have been cases where an unexpired I-551 stamp in one's foreign passport has been accepted as a substitute, but here again, depending on the passport in question, there may be scheduling issues.