next step??

[don2008 0]

im just wondering what are the next steps i need to do after my fiancee arrives here on a K1 visa? so far from what i read it seems alot do thing in different order. do we need to marry first then SSN? or SSn first? i wanted to get married asap so i can add her to my medical plan to help with some of the medical exams.

[raymaga 25]

After entry with a K-1 visa, you have 90 days to get married. You can apply for a SSN 2 weeks after entry, or you can wait until after marriage. I waited until after we were married to apply for my SSN so I could get it in my new last name.

After you are married, you submit the AOS documents (I-485, I-765 and I-131).

[DanielParul 50]

You will not need the SSN to get married. We just went to the county clerk's office and got our marriage license after 2 days of getting here and were married in 5 days after getting the license.. She will need to carry her passport with the visa and the I-94 (that is the purpose of this visa afterall)... After getting married she can get her SSN

Infact you don't even need the SSN to apply for AOS...

All the best

[don2008 0]

ok so we should get married first then wait atleast 2 weeks after she gets here to get SSN. one more question, can she start working before she gets a SSN? she already has a job lined up here, she will be working in a salon for her family here.

[msu17 0]

is she going to go though JFK and get the temp work permit? If she doesn't, she can't work until she gets the EAD in the mail after you file for it. I THINK, but am not sure, she would need the SSN to work, since an employer is supposed to check ability to work. Just a guess though.

[DanielParul 50]

is she going to go though JFK and get the temp work permit? If she doesn't, she can't work until she gets the EAD in the mail after you file for it. I THINK, but am not sure, she would need the SSN to work, since an employer is supposed to check ability to work. Just a guess though.

Thats exactly right

[PeterFB 0]

is she going to go though JFK and get the temp work permit? If she doesn't, she can't work until she gets the EAD in the mail after you file for it. I THINK, but am not sure, she would need the SSN to work, since an employer is supposed to check ability to work. Just a guess though.

Her K1 visa allows her to work without EAD. She doesn't need to get a work permit until her K1 visa expires but by then she should have her EAD or at least AOS filed. She can get her SSN as soon as she arrives and you can get married as soon as you arrive. One isn't dependant on the other. Once her SSN paperwork has been filed, she can get her SS number in a couple of days by calling the SSA office, the card will take 7-10 days. If she gets the SSN before marriage, then you have to admend her SSN (go to the SSA office with your marriage license) if she changes her name to yours.

Peter and Thi

I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26

I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11

I-129F RFE(s) :

RFE Reply(s) :

I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26

Touched: 2007-11-02

NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16

Consulate recieved ??????

Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11

Packet 3 received 2007-12-24

Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28

Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14

Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23

Interview Date 2008-2-27

Passed Interview 2008-02-27

Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05

Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier)

POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles

Wedding 2008-4-26

[motu 6]

Her K1 visa allows her to work without EAD. She doesn't need to get a work permit until her K1 visa expires but by then she should have her EAD or at least AOS filed.

Though technically correct - it doesn't work for most of us in practice because the employers insist on an EAD or greencard. Also most do not receive their EAD before the POE stamp (or I94) expires and are forced to quit (legally) - its really quite useless to get this stamp at POE unless you have jobs lines up, are familiar with US system and do not have a language barrier. For most of us its better to take it easy. Get married, get the greencard - in the meantime learn the language, get used to the city and surrounding areas (get a drivers license) and then start applying for jobs. You can choose what you want to do. The short stamp at POE is pretty useless and arguing with your potential employer about legally being allowed to work on K1 isn't very successful for most either.

Edited June 10, 2008 by motu

[DI&JR 1]

Her K1 visa allows her to work without EAD. She doesn't need to get a work permit until her K1 visa expires but by then she should have her EAD or at least AOS filed.

Though technically correct - it doesn't work for most of us in practice because the employers insist on an EAD or greencard. Also most do not receive their EAD before the POE stamp (or I94) expires and are forced to quit (legally) - its really quite useless to get this stamp at POE unless you have jobs lines up, are familiar with US system and do not have a language barrier. For most of us its better to take it easy. Get married, get the greencard - in the meantime learn the language, get used to the city and surrounding areas (get a drivers license) and then start applying for jobs. You can choose what you want to do. The short stamp at POE is pretty useless and arguing with your potential employer about legally being allowed to work on K1 isn't very successful for most either.

Employers do not "insist" on EAD or a permanent resident card, they are required to verify employment eligibility, by the Department of Homeland Security, on an I-9 form. The list of documents that are acceptable to verify employment eligibility are listed on the back (last page) of the I-9 form:

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf

More detailed information is available in the "Handbook for Employers":

http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/m-274.pdf

Please note that this is not a form that an potential employee can complete in advance; it will be provided by the employer, and only after an offer has been made and accepted; it is not meant to be completed by applicants.