SSN

[caityrose 0]

Hello,

I just called my local Social Security office and the man informed me that my fiance will not be able to apply for a SSN until he has permission to work. He said he must bring in proof that he can work in the US (EAD) and then he may apply. I know that people have had different experiences, and have had no problem applying for a SSN before they have work authorization. However, the man told me that is not true. Are laws different from state to state? Is there anywhere on a government website that states they can apply for a SSN before having work authorization?

I know others have had this issue, but I couldn't find out if anyone was eventually successful in getting a SSN before getting their work authorization.

Thanks!

Caity

[vicmo 1]

Hello,

I just called my local Social Security office and the man informed me that my fiance will not be able to apply for a SSN until he has permission to work. He said he must bring in proof that he can work in the US (EAD) and then he may apply. I know that people have had different experiences, and have had no problem applying for a SSN before they have work authorization. However, the man told me that is not true. Are laws different from state to state? Is there anywhere on a government website that states they can apply for a SSN before having work authorization?

I know others have had this issue, but I couldn't find out if anyone was eventually successful in getting a SSN before getting their work authorization.

Thanks!

Caity

You *need* to have work authorization (EAD) to apply for a SSN

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=156536

[caityrose 0]

Hello,

I just called my local Social Security office and the man informed me that my fiance will not be able to apply for a SSN until he has permission to work. He said he must bring in proof that he can work in the US (EAD) and then he may apply. I know that people have had different experiences, and have had no problem applying for a SSN before they have work authorization. However, the man told me that is not true. Are laws different from state to state? Is there anywhere on a government website that states they can apply for a SSN before having work authorization?

I know others have had this issue, but I couldn't find out if anyone was eventually successful in getting a SSN before getting their work authorization.

Thanks!

Caity

You *need* to have work authorization (EAD) to apply for a SSN

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=156536

Ok- so let's say I don't feel like going through the hassle of trying to convince the SS officer that my fiance CAN apply for a SSN, and we decide to wait until he has his EAD. When he receives EAD, he can't work immediately, because he will have to go apply for a SSN first and then wait for it to be processed and receive the card. So, that will slow the employment process down even more, correct?

The man I spoke with on the phone was very firm and so I'm guessing that even if we go there- they wont' budge...

[budz 0]

i hope this will help

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10096.html

[vicmo 1]

Hello,

I just called my local Social Security office and the man informed me that my fiance will not be able to apply for a SSN until he has permission to work. He said he must bring in proof that he can work in the US (EAD) and then he may apply. I know that people have had different experiences, and have had no problem applying for a SSN before they have work authorization. However, the man told me that is not true. Are laws different from state to state? Is there anywhere on a government website that states they can apply for a SSN before having work authorization?

I know others have had this issue, but I couldn't find out if anyone was eventually successful in getting a SSN before getting their work authorization.

Thanks!

Caity

You *need* to have work authorization (EAD) to apply for a SSN

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=156536

Ok- so let's say I don't feel like going through the hassle of trying to convince the SS officer that my fiance CAN apply for a SSN, and we decide to wait until he has his EAD. When he receives EAD, he can't work immediately, because he will have to go apply for a SSN first and then wait for it to be processed and receive the card. So, that will slow the employment process down even more, correct?

The man I spoke with on the phone was very firm and so I'm guessing that even if we go there- they wont' budge...

You *CAN* work while you SSN is being processed. Read the link I posted (In particular post #5)

Edited November 12, 2008 by vicmo

[budz 0]

just try to visit to nearest office, sometimes not all the emplyee knows about it, like what happened to us few weeks ago, the lady told me that she probably couldn't be able to process my son's ss number 'til she asked to the other lady who works their too (& fortunately, she knows how to do it)

[Laura+Tom 2]

https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx...33;opendocument

Scroll to Section C. Print this off and show them. An alien with K-1 status is no longer required to show an EAD as proof of employment authorization.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...om&page=ssn

Edited November 12, 2008 by Laura+Tom

[Eric-Pris 1,607]

You *need* to have work authorization (EAD) to apply for a SSN

Actually, you DON'T. But you may need to go to a different offices until you come across an employee who knows what they are doing, if the employees at your office don't know. Or ask for a supervisor.

Read and follow these steps: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...om&page=ssn

[caityrose 0]

https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx...33;opendocument

Scroll to Section C. Print this off and show them. An alien with K-1 status is no longer required to show an EAD as proof of employment authorization.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...om&page=ssn

Thank you- that helps me. But that doesn't mean that my fiace will be allowed to work before his EAD, correct? That page makes it seem like he can work without authorization...

Now- let's say that he gets a SSN before getting EAD, will he have to go back to the SS office after he has EAD to change the status of his SSN so they know he can now work? I'm not sure if that even makes sense...

I appreciate everyone's help. I'm trying to figure this out before he comes so that it will be easier.

[SonoranSongbird 3]

A K1 visa holder can apply for a Social Security card. There is a document I've seen linked on VJ (which I can't remember where to find) that you can bring with you to the Social Security office with you when you apply. When we went to get my husband's, the person behind the counter (who is likely also the person who answers the phone) was not authorized to handle his application. This may be why most people don't know this when you call the office.

Big proviso, however: your timeline shows that he will not arrive in the US until December 19. He cannot apply until he shows up in their system, which is usually two weeks after entry. Also, he needs to apply within the first 76 days.

[Laura+Tom 2]

https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx...33;opendocument

Scroll to Section C. Print this off and show them. An alien with K-1 status is no longer required to show an EAD as proof of employment authorization.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...om&page=ssn

Thank you- that helps me. But that doesn't mean that my fiace will be allowed to work before his EAD, correct? That page makes it seem like he can work without authorization...

Now- let's say that he gets a SSN before getting EAD, will he have to go back to the SS office after he has EAD to change the status of his SSN so they know he can now work? I'm not sure if that even makes sense...

I appreciate everyone's help. I'm trying to figure this out before he comes so that it will be easier.

No he can't work before the EAD. It just shows that a K-1 holder is allowed to work. Not all visa classes can like tourist and student visa.

[caityrose 0]

A K1 visa holder can apply for a Social Security card. There is a document I've seen linked on VJ (which I can't remember where to find) that you can bring with you to the Social Security office with you when you apply. When we went to get my husband's, the person behind the counter (who is likely also the person who answers the phone) was not authorized to handle his application. This may be why most people don't know this when you call the office.

Big proviso, however: your timeline shows that he will not arrive in the US until December 19. He cannot apply until he shows up in their system, which is usually two weeks after entry. Also, he needs to apply within the first 76 days.

Yes- I'm aware that he'll need to wait at least 2 weeks after he comes. Thanks though for that advice! This is ridiculous- he needs to apply before his K-1 visa is expired, but by the time he has EAD, his K-1 visa will be expired! gahhhh.

[caityrose 0]

Alright- thanks to everyone for their quick replies. I just called the office again, and spoke with a woman who knew more than the last gentelman. She said that she has seen K-1 visa applicants come through, and that we'll just need to show up with all of the information necessary.

I will definitely print that RM00203... thing so that I can back myself up when they tell me I'm wrong!

Thanks again for your help!! It's much appreciated

[SonoranSongbird 3]

Now- let's say that he gets a SSN before getting EAD, will he have to go back to the SS office after he has EAD to change the status of his SSN so they know he can now work? I'm not sure if that even makes sense...

I appreciate everyone's help. I'm trying to figure this out before he comes so that it will be easier.

Exactly. The card he will get from Social Security will say "eligible for work with DHS authorization only." Having the SSN before the EAD is very useful for a lot of reasons---getting a drivers license, opening bank accounts, adding him to your health insurance.

he needs to apply before his K-1 visa is expired, but by the time he has EAD, his K-1 visa will be expired!

He does not need to wait until he has his EAD to apply unless he misses that 76 day window. He does need to wait until he has the EAD to work, however.

[caityrose 0]

Just wanted to provide a funny adecdote.

I called a different Social Security office just to check with them- and the ONLY way you could possibly get through was by entering the SSN of the person you were calling for. come on- have they not thought about those who need to APPLY for one? *sigh*