Applying for SSN before AOS and EAD

[Jan and Steve 0]

I have a question about getting a SSN.

I was reading on the guides that I can apply for a SSN and be issued one, regardless of whether or not I have employment authorization yet. However, when reading over the requirements on the actual application for a SSN it states that,

"If you check "Legal Alien Not Allowed to Work," you must provide a document from a U.S. Federal, State, or local government agency that explains why you need a SSN and that you meet all of the requirements for the U.S. government benefit."

It also says, "If you are not authorized to work in the U.S., we can issue you a Social Security card only if you need the number for a valid non work reason."

So can I really apply for a SSN? What would be my valid non-work reason for applying for a SSN?

Thanks for your help, I'm confused... again.

Jan

[Elmira 1]

I think it is a personal issue... I did it before AOS and even before getting married so we could open a joint bank account and build up my credit story.. and it actually worked.. as I build up my credit story (I even opened a credit card!) + everywhere people are asking for SSN. As soon as I will receive EAD I am going to change my last name in SSN... So I hope my small story was helpful

[Dan J 277]

I have a question about getting a SSN.

I was reading on the guides that I can apply for a SSN and be issued one, regardless of whether or not I have employment authorization yet. However, when reading over the requirements on the actual application for a SSN it states that,

"If you check "Legal Alien Not Allowed to Work," you must provide a document from a U.S. Federal, State, or local government agency that explains why you need a SSN and that you meet all of the requirements for the U.S. government benefit."

It also says, "If you are not authorized to work in the U.S., we can issue you a Social Security card only if you need the number for a valid non work reason."

So can I really apply for a SSN? What would be my valid non-work reason for applying for a SSN?

Thanks for your help, I'm confused... again.

Jan

As a K-1 visa holder you can apply for an SSN. However, you have to do it at least two weeks before your 90 day stay expires. Otherwise you will need to wait until you have your EAD/GC before you can apply for an SSN.

You dont really need a reason, but just say you need it for taxes or to be added to your husbands bank accounts.

[YuAndDan 153]

Why are you asking this? You are here on a K-1, and your I-94 is still valid. You can apply for SSN within 76 days of entry to the USA. Why not do it this week? You Check Legal Alien allowed to work.

Edited April 15, 2008 by YuAndDan

[j and c 8]

my wife applied soon after we were married and received a social security card with the notation it was only good for employment if she also had a EAD letter.

she has since received the EAD and now we are just waiting for her green card.

she entered on a K-1 visa and applied for her green card in her first month here.

I believe we went online at the social security website and made an appointment at our local social security office.

I accompanied her and the interview/application went very smoothly.

she received in the mail about two weeks later.

[YuAndDan 153]

my wife applied soon after we were married and received a social security card with the notation it was only good for employment if she also had a EAD letter.

she has since received the EAD and now we are just waiting for her green card.

she entered on a K-1 visa and applied for her green card in her first month here.

I believe we went online at the social security website and made an appointment at our local social security office.

I accompanied her and the interview/application went very smoothly.

she received in the mail about two weeks later.

We did the same last year, Wife entered the USA on K-1, we married, and then we applied for SSN, we brought, her Passport with K-1 and valid I-94, Birth Cert, Marriage Cert. No problem we got a SSN and card in married name a few weeks later.

Some have to just apply for SSN using maiden name, and then later get the card switched to married name after they get EAD or Green-card, because the SSA officer gets confused about K-1 visas.

[Jan and Steve 0]

my wife applied soon after we were married and received a social security card with the notation it was only good for employment if she also had a EAD letter.

she has since received the EAD and now we are just waiting for her green card.

she entered on a K-1 visa and applied for her green card in her first month here.

I believe we went online at the social security website and made an appointment at our local social security office.

I accompanied her and the interview/application went very smoothly.

she received in the mail about two weeks later.

We did the same last year, Wife entered the USA on K-1, we married, and then we applied for SSN, we brought, her Passport with K-1 and valid I-94, Birth Cert, Marriage Cert. No problem we got a SSN and card in married name a few weeks later.

Some have to just apply for SSN using maiden name, and then later get the card switched to married name after they get EAD or Green-card, because the SSA officer gets confused about K-1 visas.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I was just confused because originally when I went to get married they told me I needed an SSN or a letter stating I was not elligable. So I got the letter and got married. They told me I couldn't get one until I was able to work. This is where all my confusion comes from, that and reading the application. I think I will go ahead and try though. An SSN card would be a handy thing to have... we had trouble getting me a bank account without one.

Jan

[TracyTN 237]

As a K1er, getting married has nothing to do with your eligibility to get an SSN. Unfortunately, many SSA employees do not know their own rules very well...!

The main thing is how many days you've been in the US - if it is less than 76 days, you can apply now. If it's more than 76 days, you need to wait until you get your EAD.

[I'm Gone 60]

As a K-1 visa holder you can apply for an SSN. However, you have to do it at least two weeks before your 90 day stay expires. Otherwise you will need to wait until you have your EAD/GC before you can apply for an SSN.

You dont really need a reason, but just say you need it for taxes or to be added to your husbands bank accounts.

It 14 days before your status expires that SSA has to process the application. You could apply the first day you get here and if it takes SSA 77 days to verify your status, you are out of luck. So it's best to apply ASAP.

Tax purposes, private health insurance, school enrollment or aid, banking, professional or driver's license are not valid non work reasons to be assigned an SSN.

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203510

RM 00203.510 Alien without Work Authorization - Nonwork Need for an SSN

[I'm Gone 60]

I have a question about getting a SSN.

I was reading on the guides that I can apply for a SSN and be issued one, regardless of whether or not I have employment authorization yet. However, when reading over the requirements on the actual application for a SSN it states that,

"If you check "Legal Alien Not Allowed to Work," you must provide a document from a U.S. Federal, State, or local government agency that explains why you need a SSN and that you meet all of the requirements for the U.S. government benefit."

It also says, "If you are not authorized to work in the U.S., we can issue you a Social Security card only if you need the number for a valid non work reason."

So can I really apply for a SSN? What would be my valid non-work reason for applying for a SSN?

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203500

RM 00203.500 Employment Authorization for Nonimmigrants

C. Policy - Employment Authorization by Class of Admission

1. Aliens Work Authorized Without Specific DHS Authorization

K-1 -- Fiancé(e) of U.S. citizen

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100202115

RM 00202.115 Form SS-5 Item 3 — Citizenship

B. Procedure - Answer To Item 3

2. Legal Alien Allowed to Work

The applicant should check this block if he/she alleges to be a lawfully admitted alien with work authorization.

[doodlebugg 10]

Can a K-3 get a number as well before getting the EAD?

[Zee Bee 61]

Can a K-3 get a number as well before getting the EAD?

K3 needs EAD before they can apply for SSN.

[Jan and Steve 0]

As a K-1 visa holder you can apply for an SSN. However, you have to do it at least two weeks before your 90 day stay expires. Otherwise you will need to wait until you have your EAD/GC before you can apply for an SSN.

You dont really need a reason, but just say you need it for taxes or to be added to your husbands bank accounts.

It 14 days before your status expires that SSA has to process the application. You could apply the first day you get here and if it takes SSA 77 days to verify your status, you are out of luck. So it's best to apply ASAP.

Tax purposes, private health insurance, school enrollment or aid, banking, professional or driver's license are not valid non work reasons to be assigned an SSN.

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203510

RM 00203.510 Alien without Work Authorization - Nonwork Need for an SSN

SO I'm confused then, if what is stated above are not valid non-work reasons, then how is everyone else getting SSNs and what are their valid non-work reasons?

[I'm Gone 60]

As a K-1 visa holder you can apply for an SSN. However, you have to do it at least two weeks before your 90 day stay expires. Otherwise you will need to wait until you have your EAD/GC before you can apply for an SSN.

You dont really need a reason, but just say you need it for taxes or to be added to your husbands bank accounts.

It 14 days before your status expires that SSA has to process the application. You could apply the first day you get here and if it takes SSA 77 days to verify your status, you are out of luck. So it's best to apply ASAP.

Tax purposes, private health insurance, school enrollment or aid, banking, professional or driver's license are not valid non work reasons to be assigned an SSN.

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203510

RM 00203.510 Alien without Work Authorization - Nonwork Need for an SSN

SO I'm confused then, if what is stated above are not valid non-work reasons, then how is everyone else getting SSNs and what are their valid non-work reasons?

Because for SSN purposes SSA considers you work authorized based on K-1 status and providing the unexpired I-94 as evidence, so no one with K-1 status is being assigned an SSN based on a non work reason.

Valid non work reasons are to receive Social Security benefits, Medicare, Food Stamps, which a K-1 is not going to be eligible for Social Security or Medicare, not sure about Food Stamps.

[Jan and Steve 0]

As a K-1 visa holder you can apply for an SSN. However, you have to do it at least two weeks before your 90 day stay expires. Otherwise you will need to wait until you have your EAD/GC before you can apply for an SSN.

You dont really need a reason, but just say you need it for taxes or to be added to your husbands bank accounts.

It 14 days before your status expires that SSA has to process the application. You could apply the first day you get here and if it takes SSA 77 days to verify your status, you are out of luck. So it's best to apply ASAP.

Tax purposes, private health insurance, school enrollment or aid, banking, professional or driver's license are not valid non work reasons to be assigned an SSN.

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203510

RM 00203.510 Alien without Work Authorization - Nonwork Need for an SSN

SO I'm confused then, if what is stated above are not valid non-work reasons, then how is everyone else getting SSNs and what are their valid non-work reasons?

Because for SSN purposes SSA considers you work authorized based on K-1 status and providing the unexpired I-94 as evidence, so no one with K-1 status is being assigned an SSN based on a non work reason.

Valid non work reasons are to receive Social Security benefits, Medicare, Food Stamps, which a K-1 is not going to be eligible for Social Security or Medicare, not sure about Food Stamps.

Ohhh, that makes more sense then. Thanks for the clarification.

Janny