November filers

[FortLaudy 10]

I have another question about applying for the social security card, what documents do I need before one will be issued, the EAD? I never have had one before because I never had a job on campus/off campus on my F1 visa so never had to apply for a number... So can I only apply for it After I have the EAD in hand? Anyone have a link to the SSN office with a list of docs to take along or such...

Also, my husband says that I can change my last name now to his, but I'm not so sure about that, anyone know where and with what documentation that can be done?

P.S. about the posts before, I think fraud is inevitable, not just during the immigration process, but in general, people just want shortcuts to their destination and they'll do whatever it takes... Luckily for us, we're from Europe/UK and we have great (sometimes even better) opportunities back home, so we really don't need to be desperate to be here, in fact often it's harder to be away from our families and support structures, the only thing that keeps me here for sure is my husband, the close friends I've made, and my dogs, I really never intended to stay here but life happens... (In fact we've already decided that if, by any chance at all, my AOS application is denied we're moving to Europe, dogs and all, lol)

However some people are not so lucky and see the US as their safe-haven and place of opportunity and I can definetely see their desperation in trying to get here however way possible to secure a better future for themselves and their children... (tricking someone into marriage though and making vows to them, with full intention of breaking those vows is wrong on soooo many levels though) My personal feeling is that "borders" are created by human beings, not God or whatever higher being one believes in, so who are we to judge where a human being moves to, decides to settle down, build a home and start a family and find happiness?

However, after reading some posts on here about horror stories (people getting divorced before even two years into the marriage, USC's being dumped right after the immigrants gets the permanent GC, immigrant wife being treated as maid and sex slave after arriving here and finding out hubby is dirt poor and not able to take care of her etc.) I've realised that yes, of course there are cases of immigration fraud through marriage, but it's also so easy to call it that if things don't work out between the two people... The divorce rate is very high, marriages these days just don't seem to last as long as generations before, this all for the general population... why would it be any different just because the two people involved in the marriage comes from different countries?

[dirtyweebesom 8]

I have another question about applying for the social security card, what documents do I need before one will be issued, the EAD? I never have had one before because I never had a job on campus/off campus on my F1 visa so never had to apply for a number... So can I only apply for it After I have the EAD in hand? Anyone have a link to the SSN office with a list of docs to take along or such...

Also, my husband says that I can change my last name now to his, but I'm not so sure about that, anyone know where and with what documentation that can be done?

As regards getting a SS card, I'm afraid I can't help you there even though I'm also adjusting from a F1 visa. When I arrived in the US five years ago, I worked as a teaching assistant on campus, so I applied, and received, a SS card immediately. It's so long ago now that I can't even remember anything about how I got it. I didn't need a work permit to get it, as I was legally entitled to work (on campus only, of course) for up to twenty hours per week. I would imagine that, yes, you would need to wait until you received your EAD to apply. Do a search on here for info, as I know I've seen loads of threads on here about SS cards.

I also think you will need to wait to receive your EAD before being able to change your last name. I have already changed the name on my Social Security Card (but that was before my F1 visa and OPT EAD ran out) but I'm assuming that you no longer have a valid visa, and won't be able to change it now. Marie tried to change the name on her SS card just last week, I think, but she wasn't allowed.

I also tried to change the name on my state ID card and, after waiting in line for over two hours (grrrr!), they told me I couldn't! I was still legally here on my F1 status at that point (although my visa was about to run out), but because of those mind-bogglingly ridiculous laws George Bush passed which require immigrants to have six months or more left on their visa before being allowed a driver's licence, I wasn't allowed to change my name. I didn't think the same six-month rule would apply to changing your name on your f*cking ID card, but apparently it does!

P.S. about the posts before, I think fraud is inevitable, not just during the immigration process, but in general, people just want shortcuts to their destination and they'll do whatever it takes... Luckily for us, we're from Europe/UK and we have great (sometimes even better) opportunities back home, so we really don't need to be desperate to be here.

Why did you write "Europe/UK"? The United Kingdom is in Europe, too, after all! I consider myself Scottish first, European second and, um, not British at all (although I am, of course, technically).

[marie09 5]

Hope everyone's having a good weekend so far

Shani, in terms of the Soc Sec. it all depends on how much time you have left on your visa, if your visa has since expired or about to expire they won't issue it. If it has a few months or more left take your passport with visa, I-94, I-20 etc, plus marriage cert to the Soc. Sec Office. I think that's all you need... If not you'll have to wait till you get your EAD. I got mine when I had a J1 exchange student visa I didn't work but my college required everyone to have a SSN so Soc. Sec came to the school...

You might want to post on the working and travelling before green card thread about getting a soc on an F1. The people on there were super knowledgeable. After SS refused to change my name on my Social until I get my EAD, someone found me a legal clause that said they could've changed it in the system just not issued me a new card. Which was what I needed them to do in order for the DMV to change my name too... I could have gone back with a copy of that legal thing of the SSA website... but can't be bothered to go back and wait in line again and argue with them... so am going to wait till I get my EAD... For your DL or ID card it all depends on your state... Mine would change my name but only after my name is changed at Social Security as they do a name verification. But like Dirtyweebesom showed with hers every states different... Sucks how hard they make it - but one day will not be so hard for us!

Ok I am off to Reno with the hubby, might actually manage to stay off VJ today!!! Hmmm we shall see if I manage it or not... Have a wonderful Saturday girls...

[FortLaudy 10]

Hey Marie, ok I will definetely have to find out about getting that SS card... my F1 visa only expires Dec 2010...

oh heck, is the UK part of the European union now? I'm so out of touch I guess... just meaning to say that we're not from some desperately poor countries that will cause us to do some stupid things before/during immigration in an attempt to "desperately" live here, lol... I hope that makes sense.. I know there is a list of countries that are known for a lot of immigraiton marriage fraud...

[FortLaudy 10]

Hey Dirtyweebesom, by looking at the October AOS timeline you should be getting your EAD pretty soon! I'm sooo excited for us all!!

I think it definetely makes a difference going for an early walk-in, as they cannot even start the process of producing the EAD card without the Bio appointment... seems like it's issued more or less 18 days from the Bio done date for most people...

[IstanBulls 1]

I am hoping to see some activity with some cases. Good luck to all of us.

[marie09 5]

I am hoping to see some activity with some cases. Good luck to all of us.

Me too! I'm noticing on the October thread right now they are all getting their EADs & APs and some are getting interview dates, plus the K1 adjusters are getting their GCs...

Us next

Hoping everyone gets updates soon

[joshandlisa2009 0]

My husband received his NOAs in the mail last week on Friday. They were dated Monday 11/30 and he received an e-mail on Monday 11/30. I have been trying to use his receipt numbers ever since to find his case status on the USCIS website but keep coming up with the response that his case numbers do not exist. Should we be worried? It seems from everyone's dates that they receive a "touch" on their case around the same day they receive their NOAs but it's been a week and the USCIS website still does not recognize his receipt numbers. How do we learn if his case has been "touched" if the USCIS website is telling us that they do not recognize his receipt numbers?

[IstanBulls 1]

My husband received his NOAs in the mail last week on Friday. They were dated Monday 11/30 and he received an e-mail on Monday 11/30. I have been trying to use his receipt numbers ever since to find his case status on the USCIS website but keep coming up with the response that his case numbers do not exist. Should we be worried? It seems from everyone's dates that they receive a "touch" on their case around the same day they receive their NOAs but it's been a week and the USCIS website still does not recognize his receipt numbers. How do we learn if his case has been "touched" if the USCIS website is telling us that they do not recognize his receipt numbers?

The numbers on the NOA letter are in this format; MSC- xx-xxx-xxx07 right. You also should look for your case online in the same format with the letters MSC. I would not really worry about the website too much because I have seen people getting their approvals and documents without seeing any update on the website.

[joshandlisa2009 0]

My husband received his NOAs in the mail last week on Friday. They were dated Monday 11/30 and he received an e-mail on Monday 11/30. I have been trying to use his receipt numbers ever since to find his case status on the USCIS website but keep coming up with the response that his case numbers do not exist. Should we be worried? It seems from everyone's dates that they receive a "touch" on their case around the same day they receive their NOAs but it's been a week and the USCIS website still does not recognize his receipt numbers. How do we learn if his case has been "touched" if the USCIS website is telling us that they do not recognize his receipt numbers?

The numbers on the NOA letter are in this format; MSC- xx-xxx-xxx07 right. You also should look for your case online in the same format with the letters MSC. I would not really worry about the website too much because I have seen people getting their approvals and documents without seeing any update on the website.

Yes, the numbers on the NOA letter are in that format and that's the format we've used to enter it online. Thanks for the advice and encouragement! I'll worry less once we get the biometrics appointment letter.

[IstanBulls 1]

Yes, the numbers on the NOA letter are in that format and that's the format we've used to enter it online. Thanks for the advice and encouragement! I'll worry less once we get the biometrics appointment letter.

Probably, you can expect to receive your Bio letter sometime this week. Generally bio appointment letter comes right after you receive the hard copies of NOAs. In my case I received my NOAs in the mail on 11/21/09 Saturday, and I received my Bio letter on 11/23/09 Monday. Hope this kinda decrease your stress level a little.

[marie09 5]

My husband received his NOAs in the mail last week on Friday. They were dated Monday 11/30 and he received an e-mail on Monday 11/30. I have been trying to use his receipt numbers ever since to find his case status on the USCIS website but keep coming up with the response that his case numbers do not exist. Should we be worried? It seems from everyone's dates that they receive a "touch" on their case around the same day they receive their NOAs but it's been a week and the USCIS website still does not recognize his receipt numbers. How do we learn if his case has been "touched" if the USCIS website is telling us that they do not recognize his receipt numbers?

Hi JoshandLisa,

Don't worry i've read a lot of times on here of peoples' numbers not working at first. They should soon though

Some take a few days. I think the touches just depend on the IO working on your case - there lots of cases on here that have been worked on without any updates/touches...

I'm confused how you got an e-mail though if you hadn't registered your receipt numbers on USCIS? I thought you had to register the receipt numbers before they will send any e-mails? But hey if they sent one anyway - thats awesome the more updates the better

Best of luck to you - i'm sure your biometrics letter will be here very soon. Mine arrived 9 days after the NOA's but most people who applied after me have got them a lot faster! Like Istanbull's arrived in 2 days, Shani's too I think... Fingers crossed yours arrives any day...

[IstanBulls 1]

Hi JoshandLisa,

Don't worry i've read a lot of times on here of peoples' numbers not working at first. They should soon though

Some take a few days. I think the touches just depend on the IO working on your case - there lots of cases on here that have been worked on without any updates/touches...

I'm confused how you got an e-mail though if you hadn't registered your receipt numbers on USCIS? I thought you had to register the receipt numbers before they will send any e-mails? But hey if they sent one anyway - thats awesome the more updates the better

Best of luck to you - i'm sure your biometrics letter will be here very soon. Mine arrived 9 days after the NOA's but most people who applied after me have got them a lot faster! Like Istanbull's arrived in 2 days, Shani's too I think... Fingers crossed yours arrives any day...

You are right Marie. I missed that too. I am curious how JoshandLisa got an e-mail. USCIS works wonders, don't they?

[marie09 5]

You are right Marie. I missed that too. I am curious how JoshandLisa got an e-mail. USCIS works wonders, don't they?

Lol! So true!

I was like where was my e-mail?

[FortLaudy 10]

Hey guys, yeah I was getting a little stressed out after doing my walk-in bio and then not getting any "touches" that evening or until now, but then I searched on here and saw a lot of people getting no touches at all just things in the mail and the online thing being stuck at "acceptance" even well after the GC was received, so don't stress about it too much, if it's more than a month though I'd at least call or something for the Bio appointment cause that's something they send out automatically after the NOA's are sent out.

So a question, do our local ASC offices produce and send out the EAD cards or does it come from Chicago?

When I did my bio app. I asked the IO if we'll have our interview there and she said yes, so wondering if our cases have now been transferred to our local ASC offices...