F1 visa holder going through AOS, when is the earliest to get SS Card?

[FortLaudy 10]

I'm adjusting from F1 status to resident , my husband is a USC. Looking at various people's timelines, I'm probably going to receive the EAD card within the next few weeks but have a question about the Social Security Number/Card. I never applied for one as I did not do OPT whilst on my F1 visa. My F1 visa expires Dec 2010. What documentation does the SS office need from me to get a card? Do we Have to wait for my EAD or can I go there now and get the card in the mean time? We're finding it very hard to combine certain things such as cellphone accounts without me having this SSN, so we'd like to get it now if we can whilst waiting for the EAD... wondering if anyone knows if this is possible and what type of documentation we should take along... Thanks and good luck to everyone on their visa journeys!

[I'm Gone 60]

I'm adjusting from F1 status to resident , my husband is a USC. Looking at various people's timelines, I'm probably going to receive the EAD card within the next few weeks but have a question about the Social Security Number/Card. I never applied for one as I did not do OPT whilst on my F1 visa. My F1 visa expires Dec 2010. What documentation does the SS office need from me to get a card? Do we Have to wait for my EAD or can I go there now and get the card in the mean time? We're finding it very hard to combine certain things such as cellphone accounts without me having this SSN, so we'd like to get it now if we can whilst waiting for the EAD... wondering if anyone knows if this is possible and what type of documentation we should take along... Thanks and good luck to everyone on their visa journeys!

SSA will not assign a work authorized SSN to any F-1 student unless the student has:

-- Evidence of on-campus work from the designated school official (DSO) AND evidence of

employment from the on-campus employer; or

-- Specific work authorization from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), that is, Form I-766;

or

-- Authorization for curricular practical training (CPT) as evidenced on the employment page (page 3)

of the student's Form I-20 A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status.

This is in addition to proof of age, identity and legal immigration status.

Note: SSA will not process the SSN application when the employment letter for general on-campus work (including teaching assistantship or fellowship letters) or page 3 of the I-20 for CPT shows that the student is not scheduled to begin working until more than 30 days from the date the SSN applicant is filed, or when an Form I-766 shows a “valid from” date in the future.

RM 00203.470 Evidence for SSN Card — Foreign Student (F-1 and M-1):

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203470

[km24 0]

I'm adjusting from F1 status to resident , my husband is a USC. Looking at various people's timelines, I'm probably going to receive the EAD card within the next few weeks but have a question about the Social Security Number/Card. I never applied for one as I did not do OPT whilst on my F1 visa. My F1 visa expires Dec 2010. What documentation does the SS office need from me to get a card? Do we Have to wait for my EAD or can I go there now and get the card in the mean time? We're finding it very hard to combine certain things such as cellphone accounts without me having this SSN, so we'd like to get it now if we can whilst waiting for the EAD... wondering if anyone knows if this is possible and what type of documentation we should take along... Thanks and good luck to everyone on their visa journeys!

You can apply for a SSN if you have your EAD card on hand! Good luck..

[sachinky 465]

Once you have your EAD card take it to the SS office. They look at your passport and you have to sign a form. The card should come in the mail in 7-10 days.

Source: I was on a F-1 and had a SSN from my first semester in college. Ah, working in the dining hall. Good times.

[FortLaudy 10]

Thanks guys, so I guess we'll be patient and wait for the EAD !

[ardilla 0]

Hi, my husband went from F1 to AOS. He already had a social security card from his student work days.

Reminder: when you get your first SSN, it will have the following message on it:

"Valid for work only with DHS authorization"

Once you have been granted permanent residency you need to get this message removed.

You will need to make another trip to the Social Security office when you have your permanent resident card. Show your permanent resident card and they will send you a new card, with no message on it.

Good luck!

[I'm Gone 60]

Once you have been granted permanent residency you need to get this message removed.

You will need to make another trip to the Social Security office when you have your permanent resident card. Show your permanent resident card and they will send you a new card, with no message on it.

DO NOT DO NOT give them your old SSN card until you get the new one. If they ask for it say the dog ate it. LOL

Edited December 8, 2009 by I Quit

[FortLaudy 10]

Thank you so much for all the info, it helps a lot! Now I just have to get that darn EAD to get started this whole process started of applying for the card, having the dog eat it and getting a fresh one, hehehe