How to apply for your SSN

[Ephesia 0]

I copied and pasted from the guide in the old forum, but with direct links to the forms required:

Preparation

Download the Following Forms:

1. Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5): http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf

2. I-765, Application for Employment Authorization: http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/files/i-765.pdf (K-2, K-3, and K-4 Visa Holders Only)

The Application Process

For K1 Visa Holders

As a K-1 Visa Holder you are eligible to receive a SSN upon producing a valid I-94 (unexpired). Do not wait until you only have a few weeks left until your I-94 expires to file for a SSN. Many SSA offices will not allow you to file for a SSN if your I-94 is about to expire (generally 14 days prior to the expiration on your I-94). On the other hand, you should also not file for a SSN too soon either. You should wait 2 weeks after you arrived in the US before applying for a SSN. If you go too soon your record of arrival will not be in the SAVE-ASVI system yet, and it will require manual verification from the USCIS. As this will add weeks to the period it takes to process the SSN, it is advisable to attempt to wait the two weeks to be safe. If you have waited the 2 weeks and they tell you they can not verify you arrival record via the SAVE database, you may allow them to to process it (but remember the potential delay for manual verifications). You can ask if they will check the computer again for you in a few days or return personally to have them look again -- thus eliminating the manual verification. The manual verification will require the SSA office to file a G-845 with the USCIS.

To apply for a SSN you will need to go to your local SSA office and bring the documents below. These documents are proof of your eligibility to file for a SSN:

1. Download and complete the SS-5 form at http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf. Tthey have some at the office if you forget).

2. Your Passport (with the K-1 Visa in it)

3. Your valid I-94

4. Another form of valid ID (as defined in the SS-5 instructions)

5. You should also print and bring the document RM 00203.500 (http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203500).

Make sure to bring all the documents above because some offices have staff that are not aware that a K-1 Visa Holder is eligible to file for a SSN. A friendly reminder is a nice thing to have -- if not you could be turned away incorrectly.

Once you have successfully applied for your SSN, the SSN card will come in the mail in about 2 weeks. You can check on the status of the SSN application and/or often get the SSN in advance by returning in person (try calling) to the SSA office. If you need your SSN before it arrives in the mail you may ask them for an SSA-7028, Notice to Third Party of Social Security Number Assignments, to be sent to your employer or other interested third party once a SSN has been assigned. Your card, when you receive it, will be marked with the words "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH INS AUTHORIZATION" indicating to an employer that you must also have an unexpired EAD to be eligible to work.

For K2, K3, K4 Visa Holders

As a holder of a K2, K3 or K4 visa you must first have an EAD from the USCIS. You will be required to show this to the SSA agency to be eligible to receive a SSN.

To apply for a SSN you will need to go to your local SSA office and bring:

1. The SS-5 form (they have some at the office if you forget).

2. Passport (with the K-2, K-3, or K-4 Visa in it)

3. Your valid I-94

4. Another form of valid ID (as defined in the SS-5 instructions)

5. A valid EAD

Only persons age 12 and older must apply in person. A derivitive visa beneficiary (K2 for example) may elect to have their parent (the K1 for example) apply on their behalf (they will still need all the required documents). The SSA will most likely need to verify the validity of the EAD and will make a copy to send to the USCIS as part of the SSN processing. Once they verify the EAD you will receive your SSN card in the mail.

You can check on the status of your SSN application and/or often get the SSN in advance by returning in person to the SSA office. If you need your SSN before it arrives in the mail you may ask them for an SSA-7028, Notice to Third Party of Social Security Number Assignments, to be sent to your employer or other interested third party once a SSN has been assigned. Your card, when you receive it, will be marked with the words "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH INS AUTHORIZATION" indicating to an employer that you must also have an unexpired EAD to be eligible to work.

Edited January 28, 2006 by Ephesia

[I'm Gone 60]

Anyone wanting to apply for an SSN and having a question PLEASE PM me before going into the SSA office.

[Captain Ewok 1,900]

Should we add info from this post to this guide?

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

[Ephesia 0]

Should we add info from this post to this guide?

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

If you want, Ewok, although most of the info from that guide was copied and pasted for the purpose of this thread. Hehe. I also made some minor corrections, e.g. URLs. That said, since the guide has all the important instructions, I guess it should not be necessary now to put a pin in this thread. I should have re-checked before making this new thread. Sorry!

Edited January 30, 2006 by Ephesia