SSN

[Jmaster911 0]

I have applied for my SSN on my DS-230 and am traveling to the US on the 29th. I'm interested to know what people think on which is quicker.

a. Applying for your SSN on your DS-230

b. Apply in person once your in the country

I am keen to get mine as quick as possible to enable me to get some joint credit for a car (I have a large down payment and just wanted one of those small loans and pay it all back in six months to kick start my credit history)

Also if I have applied on my DS-230 and walking in is quicker, can I cancel the application made on the DS-230 when I enter at the POE or could I just apply in person and the DS-230 application would be cancelled as there is two applications in the system??

Edited December 19, 2007 by Jmaster911

[Silas 0]

I have applied for my SSN on my DS-230 and am traveling to the US on the 29th. I'm interested to know what people think on which is quicker.

a. Applying for your SSN on your DS-230

b. Apply in person once your in the country

I am keen to get mine as quick as possible to enable me to get some joint credit for a car (I have a large down payment and just wanted one of those small loans and pay it all back in six months to kick start my credit history)

Also if I have applied on my DS-230 and walking in is quicker, can I cancel the application made on the DS-230 when I enter at the POE or could I just apply in person and the DS-230 application would be cancelled as there is two applications in the system??

In theory, it should be quicker by applying on the DS-230. That said, going on other posts around here, only about half of the people who apply for the SSN on their DS-230 end up receiving it at the moment. I, for instance, didn't receive my SSN through the post as I should have, so I ended up having to go in person. There's quite a few threads about that and also the wait for the Green Card (that's taking about 7 weeks at the moment) so you might want to check those out.

As for going in person. You'll only be able do that if you are 'Saved' in the system. In basic terms, it means you're best giving the SSA a week or two before you'd be recognised on their computers.

If I were you, I'd leave it as it is. I don't think you'd be able to cancel the DS-230 on POE and even if you could I don't think it's advisable getting an immigration officer to mess about with your immigration pack instead just let them process the MBE and not worry their pretty little heads about anything else.

If you do receive the SSA in the post (and unfortunately that remains an if) it should come two to three weeks after POE. If you don't have by then I would go down to your local SSA and apply (it should arrive a week later) and that'll be an interesting experience for you.