Couple questions re: once I arrive in the US

[Waiting in Vancouver 6]

Well I will be arriving in the US (Illinois) in a few weeks on my K-1 Visa and wanted to have a good understanding of a few things:

1) Apply for my SSN after about a week of my entrance into the US.

2) Get married (should we wait any time before we get married or can we do this right away even before we get the SSN ?).

3) Apply for AOS, EAD and AP. (Should we wait a certain time frame between getting married and filing this ?)

4) Wait (about 3 months ?) for my EAD so I can start work (there is nothing else I need to do during this down time ?)

5) Forgot to ask, do I need to change my drivers license or can I use my Canadian B.C. one for awhile ?

Edited July 4, 2006 by Waiting in Vancouver

[Shatter2 0]

To answer a few, you only have 90 days to get married with your K1 visa. Because all the other steps take a while to process I would recommend you get married ASAP and get your other paperwork filed such as AP, EA, AOS.

TO file for your AOS, etc you will need your marriage certificate, the one from the county. You wont get this until after you are married and file your completed marriage cert. So no, dont apply for the AOS until after you get this marriage cert. , but you can have everythign else ready in the meantime.

My EAD took 3 months+. I filed for my AP, EAD and AOS all at the same time. I got notified for my AP first and went to get fingerprinted for that about 2 months later after filing. Then I was notified for my AOS next, so while I was at the Immigration center processing my AOS, I asked them if they could help with the EAD too(I brought the notice with me). They processed that as well. I would expect a possible 3-4 month wait before you get your EAD, again that varies.

As for license, I got my michigan license in 1 visit, no testing, etc required, they just tested my vision. Depending on where you are going they may or may not accept that BC license, you can always inquire ahead of time to a drivers license bureau where you will be living and ask. Keeping in mind you will have a hard time getting US insurance possibly if you have a Canadian license and not a US one.

Hope some of this was helpful

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Well I will be arriving in the US (Illinois) in a few weeks on my K-1 Visa and wanted to have a good understanding of a few things:

1) Apply for my SSN after about a week of my entrance into the US.

2) Get married (should we wait any time before we get married or can we do this right away even before we get the SSN ?).

3) Apply for AOS, EAD and AP. (Should we wait a certain time frame between getting married and filing this ?)

4) Wait (about 3 months ?) for my EAD so I can start work (there is nothing else I need to do during this down time ?)

5) Forgot to ask, do I need to change my drivers license or can I use my Canadian B.C. one for awhile ?

1) Apply for your SSN after about 2 weeks and do it as soon as you can. THere have been some here who had trouble getting their SSN after they got married so you may want to do it before hand.

2) Try to get SSN first. Just make sure you get married within the 90 days

3) Apply for AOS, EAD and AP as soon as you possibly can after you are married - which generally means waiting until you have the official state marriage document that is sent to you after the person performing the marriage files it

4) Hopefully it is only 3 months - you will get a notice to set up a fingerprint/biometrics appointment and that may take a while. The EAD usually comes pretty quickly after the biometrics. Relax in the meantime and enjoy your marriage

5) Check with the Department of Motor Vehicles for your State. You may want to apply for a new license quickly. I had no problems driving on my Canadian license but since I didn't have enough time left on my I-94 when I applied first for my Georgia license I had to wait for my EAD to arrive. Driving requirements vary by state. You may be able just to transfer to the new license or you may have to do the whole kit 'n kaboodle over again.

Good luck and enjoy!

[Waiting in Vancouver 6]

Well I will be arriving in the US (Illinois) in a few weeks on my K-1 Visa and wanted to have a good understanding of a few things:

1) Apply for my SSN after about a week of my entrance into the US.

2) Get married (should we wait any time before we get married or can we do this right away even before we get the SSN ?).

3) Apply for AOS, EAD and AP. (Should we wait a certain time frame between getting married and filing this ?)

4) Wait (about 3 months ?) for my EAD so I can start work (there is nothing else I need to do during this down time ?)

5) Forgot to ask, do I need to change my drivers license or can I use my Canadian B.C. one for awhile ?

1) Apply for your SSN after about 2 weeks and do it as soon as you can. THere have been some here who had trouble getting their SSN after they got married so you may want to do it before hand.

2) Try to get SSN first. Just make sure you get married within the 90 days

3) Apply for AOS, EAD and AP as soon as you possibly can after you are married - which generally means waiting until you have the official state marriage document that is sent to you after the person performing the marriage files it

4) Hopefully it is only 3 months - you will get a notice to set up a fingerprint/biometrics appointment and that may take a while. The EAD usually comes pretty quickly after the biometrics. Relax in the meantime and enjoy your marriage

5) Check with the Department of Motor Vehicles for your State. You may want to apply for a new license quickly. I had no problems driving on my Canadian license but since I didn't have enough time left on my I-94 when I applied first for my Georgia license I had to wait for my EAD to arrive. Driving requirements vary by state. You may be able just to transfer to the new license or you may have to do the whole kit 'n kaboodle over again.

Good luck and enjoy!

Do I need my SSN card before I apply for the AOS, EAD and AP ??

[daisy16 0]

No, you don't need the SSN to file.

As for your DL, requirements vary by state. For example, here in NY I had to have proof that I was going to be around for a while before they'd give it to me - like marrying the guy wasn't enough!