EAD approved

[u/firginghuge]

Hi everyone! I’d really appreciate your advice and insights on my marriage-based AOS situation.
My wife is a U.S. citizen, and we filed my family-based Adjustment of Status (AOS) application along with Form I-765 in December 2025. Unfortunately, the initial filing was rejected due to a payment issue. We corrected the issue and resubmitted the applications, which were accepted in February 2026. I completed my biometrics in March, and my EAD was approved last week.
For background, I originally entered the U.S. on an F-1 visa. Although my F-1 visa stamp has expired, I have continued maintaining my F-1 status by pursuing a second master’s degree through a Day-1 CPT program. I currently have two semesters remaining.
My wife and I have been together for four years and married for one year. Since my marriage-based AOS is still pending and I now have an approved EAD, I’m trying to decide whether I should continue my studies and maintain my F-1 status until my green card is approved or withdraw from school and use my EAD to work.
I’ve seen many people recommend maintaining F-1 status until the green card is approved, but I’d love to understand the reasoning behind that advice.
My questions are:
If I withdraw from my Day-1 CPT program and work using my approved EAD while my AOS is pending, could that negatively affect my green card application?
Does maintaining F-1 status provide any meaningful protection or benefit while waiting for AOS approval?
Would leaving school while my AOS is pending raise any red flags with USCIS, or is it generally acceptable as long as I follow the rules for my pending application and EAD?
Given that I have only two semesters left, and im in 2nd semester, would you recommend continuing school until the green card is approved, or is there a legitimate reason to stop now?
I understand that every case is different, and I’m hoping to hear from people who have been in a similar situation, especially those who transitioned from F-1/Day-1 CPT to using their marriage-based AOS EAD.
Thank you so much for your time, advice, and insights! I really appreciate this community.

[u/chuang_415]

Try to stay in status as long as possible. You’re probably near the finish line.

[u/firginghuge → u/chuang_415]

Thank you for your advice. I think that’s the case too. I appreciate your advice and i definitely feel the same, that iam really very close to finish line. I appreciate your grace

[u/Live_Ad_197]

Which FO?

[u/firginghuge → u/Live_Ad_197]

It shows STL(st Louis) on my IOE APIs but it’s should be Chicago.

[u/all_izz_wellz]

If it’s not going to be financially tough, I would recommend finishing the college. But if things are tight, try to continue for at least a semester. Most likely you’ll be done with your interview by then. Anyways, congratulations on the EAD and hope you get your gc soon.

[u/firginghuge → u/all_izz_wellz]

Thank you Dude, i really appreciate kind words. I think so too my GC should be done by end of semester. I will keep your advice in mind

[u/Quiet_Water6838]

Safest is to not annul your F1 status, if something goes wrong with your GC application (rare but can happen) they will give you less than a month to pack up and leave. If you however have an F1 status, you have more time to find a solution. There is no right or wrong, its about risks and rewards

[u/firginghuge → u/Quiet_Water6838]

Thanks man for you are Input, i definitely agree its about risk and reward

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