Applying for SSN

[beng_and_carl 0]

OH MY GOSH!!! i am so overwhelmed for giving me a bunch of information which are absolutely helpful. THANKS A LOT, as always!!!

so, based on my understanding, here's the summary of all your suggestions and advices:

1. i must apply for a SSN 2 weeks after my arrival in the US. it is also suggested that i apply before i get married, wait for my new ssn card and then, change my name once i get married and then, apply 2 weeks before my I-94 expires.

2. with the provisions stipulated in RM 00203.500 Section C, as far as i have understand, my ssn will provide me the authority to work as a k1 visa holder even without an EAD or work permit? am i correct on this?

hoping for your reactions on this.

thank you once again.

~beng

pls answer this.. please.. please.. please..

[Cassie 8]

I applied a month after we were married, long before I sent in the AOS paperwork. Got my card in 8 days.

[I'm Gone 60]

so, based on my understanding, here's the summary of all your suggestions and advices:

1. i must apply for a SSN 2 weeks after my arrival in the US. it is also suggested that i apply before i get married, wait for my new ssn card and then, change my name once i get married and then, apply 2 weeks before my I-94 expires.

2. with the provisions stipulated in RM 00203.500 Section C, as far as i have understand, my ssn will provide me the authority to work as a k1 visa holder even without an EAD or work permit? am i correct on this?

1. Waiting two weeks is OK, but not required. Less likely to cause a problem to apply in the maiden name and try for the name change once you are assigned an SSN. The 14 days before your I-94 expires is the cut off for SSA to issue the card. If you go in on the 15th, 20th, 30th day, etc and they have to verify your status and it runs past the 14th day you aren't getting a card. So the sooner you can apply before the 14th day cutoff the better.

2. No, your SSN does not authorize you to work. You will be issued a restricted SSN card, which requires you to provide some type of work authorization document to work. Now it has been debated that you can work with the I-94, but the K-1 status is only good for 90 days, so even if you could work using the I-94 as work authorization, you would have to stop on the 90th day and wait until you have an EAD card to resume working. So plan on not working until you have an EAD card and SSN.

Edited March 8, 2008 by I Quit

[payxibka 10,045]

2. with the provisions stipulated in RM 00203.500 Section C, as far as i have understand, my ssn will provide me the authority to work as a k1 visa holder even without an EAD or work permit? am i correct on this?

The Department of Homeland Security is the only agency that can provide authority to work for non USC's. A SSN is issued by the SSA and is NOT work authorization for this and other reason.