Work permit and SSN

[JM2008 0]

My fiance recently arrived in the US on a K1 visa. When is she eligible to get a SSN and work permit? Must we wait until after we're married and file for adjustment of status? Or can this be done prior to that?

[Mononoke28 135]

She can go get her Social Security number now, in fact she can do this until two weeks before her I-94 expires.

As for a work permit, you need to get married within the 90 day window and then file for AOS & EAD in order for her to at least get her work permit. This can take about 3-6+ months.

Diana

[Stinky Monkey 1]

She can get a SSN in her maiden name before you get married, but can change it as soon you have your marriage license

Good idea to apply for the EAD with all the aos paper work as you wont have to pay for it

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

My fiance recently arrived in the US on a K1 visa. When is she eligible to get a SSN and work permit? Must we wait until after we're married and file for adjustment of status? Or can this be done prior to that?

Your fiancee is eligible for an SSN as soon as she sets foot in the USA. You can also file for an EAD immediately. However it is not unusal for the EAD to take almost as long (or longer) to process than the I-485 and if you file for the EAD separately it is $340, PLUS you will still have to pay for the I-485 ($1010) If you file for an EAD WITH the the I-485 it is free, and you will get about what you pay for. You will probably get the green card first, we did.

Best advice? Get married, even if a simple civil ceremony and file for the EAD and AOS at the same time as soon as possible. Get her SSN BEFORE she married, especially if she will change her name to yours. If the name she applies under is different than her passport in give the Social Security people all sorts of brain cramps and infarctions to sort out the name and YOU don't get a card until they recover from the concept of a woman changing her name with marraige. I know, it is strange, doesn't happen so much. So get the card, then go back and change her name. They will still have brain cramps and infarctions, BUT you will have your card until they recover and send a new one.

[daboyz 36]

My fiance recently arrived in the US on a K1 visa. When is she eligible to get a SSN and work permit? Must we wait until after we're married and file for adjustment of status? Or can this be done prior to that?

Your fiancee is eligible for an SSN as soon as she sets foot in the USA. You can also file for an EAD immediately. However it is not unusal for the EAD to take almost as long (or longer) to process than the I-485 and if you file for the EAD separately it is $340, PLUS you will still have to pay for the I-485 ($1010) If you file for an EAD WITH the the I-485 it is free, and you will get about what you pay for. You will probably get the green card first, we did.

Best advice? Get married, even if a simple civil ceremony and file for the EAD and AOS at the same time as soon as possible. Get her SSN BEFORE she married, especially if she will change her name to yours. If the name she applies under is different than her passport in give the Social Security people all sorts of brain cramps and infarctions to sort out the name and YOU don't get a card until they recover from the concept of a woman changing her name with marraige. I know, it is strange, doesn't happen so much. So get the card, then go back and change her name. They will still have brain cramps and infarctions, BUT you will have your card until they recover and send a new one.

Nice signature.

[payxibka 10,045]

moving from K-1 to:

Working & Traveling prior to getting a Green Card

If you do not enter on an immigrant visa then you will have to file for Adjustment of Status to become a Permanent Resident. During this time, you will not typically be able to work or leave the US without jeopardizing your immigration status unless you have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or an Advance Parole (AP) from the USCIS. This section also covers getting a Social Security Number (SSN) and is for general discussion on all these topics.

[JM2008 0]

She can go get her Social Security number now, in fact she can do this until two weeks before her I-94 expires.

As for a work permit, you need to get married within the 90 day window and then file for AOS & EAD in order for her to at least get her work permit. This can take about 3-6+ months.

Diana

Thanks for the tip. I assume you're using the I-94 to satisfy the SSA's requirement listed at the bottom of page 3. See http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf

It sounds like we'll save $$$ if we apply for EAD at the same time as AOS. Also, is a SSN # required to apply for the EAD?