After POE K1 getting a Social Security Number

[Guest fundoctor]

For anyone who is interested in Social Security numbers for K1 visa. We applyed for one today for my Fiance, no problems at all. Maybe we are lucky because we live in a major metropolitan area and the clerk knew exactly what to do.(even if the clerk was wrong on some fine point details) But here is the summary and link. It comes in the mail about 2 weeks after successful application.

1. K1 are aligible to get a SSN upon Entry to US without a doubt!!! Here is the latest info from Soc Security website: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211420

This totally current Sept 2011 link cleary defines the rules for any UNINFORMED US government employees. But You NEED TO DO as it says on VJ guides. Wait at least 10 business days for the fiances info to get into the SAVE database. Some SS office employees apparently dont know what this database is. Just tell the clerk NOT to process the application for the social security number if they can NOT find the fiance's name in that database. If they can't find the fiance, then just come back to the office in a few days and try again. I told the clerk ( very gently because they are on a power trip to Jupiter) just please check the database and if the fiance doesnt appear please DO NOT PROCESS THE APPLICATION TODAY. Fortunately, my fiance's name was in the SAVE database.

The clerk tried to assure me that it didnt matter if she was in the database - WRONG! It matters because then it takes a few months to get the SSN not 2 weeks. If the name isn't in the SAVE database then they will manually enter the application and have to get approval from Homeland security. WASTE OF TIME. So wait 2 calendar weeks before you attempt to get a SSN.

Then the clerk told me I can come back again "after I got the greencard" to change to her married name. WRONG again. Just read the VJ guide. http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

THE LINK IN THE VJ GUIDE is outdated. USE MY link https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211420 and print this out before you go!! THE SSN document that authorizes K1 to get SSN. Be prepared to educate the supervisor if needed.

Also, she as a LEGAL CITIZEN/RESIDENT OF ANOTHER COUNTRY ( alien) was required ONLY TO HAVE valid passport ( and I-94) no other ID required ( as correctly stated in the most current SSN aplication form: http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf

The VJ guide is wrong here too.

Good luck ( someone please update the VJ SSN Guide)

Hope this helps.

[Love Eth 14]

For anyone who is interested in Social Security numbers for K1 visa. We applyed for one today for my Fiance, no problems at all. Maybe we are lucky because we live in a major metropolitan area and the clerk knew exactly what to do.(even if the clerk was wrong on some fine point details) But here is the summary and link. It comes in the mail about 2 weeks after successful application.

1. K1 are aligible to get a SSN upon Entry to US without a doubt!!! Here is the latest info from Soc Security website: https://secure.ssa.g.../lnx/0110211420

This totally current Sept 2011 link cleary defines the rules for any UNINFORMED US government employees. But You NEED TO DO as it says on VJ guides. Wait at least 10 business days for the fiances info to get into the SAVE database. Some SS office employees apparently dont know what this database is. Just tell the clerk NOT to process the application for the social security number if they can NOT find the fiance's name in that database. If they can't find the fiance, then just come back to the office in a few days and try again. I told the clerk ( very gently because they are on a power trip to Jupiter) just please check the database and if the fiance doesnt appear please DO NOT PROCESS THE APPLICATION TODAY. Fortunately, my fiance's name was in the SAVE database.

The clerk tried to assure me that it didnt matter if she was in the database - WRONG! It matters because then it takes a few months to get the SSN not 2 weeks. If the name isn't in the SAVE database then they will manually enter the application and have to get approval from Homeland security. WASTE OF TIME. So wait 2 calendar weeks before you attempt to get a SSN.

Then the clerk told me I can come back again "after I got the greencard" to change to her married name. WRONG again. Just read the VJ guide. http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

THE LINK IN THE VJ GUIDE is outdated. USE MY link https://secure.ssa.g.../lnx/0110211420 and print this out before you go!! THE SSN document that authorizes K1 to get SSN. Be prepared to educate the supervisor if needed.

Also, she as a LEGAL CITIZEN/RESIDENT OF ANOTHER COUNTRY ( alien) was required ONLY TO HAVE valid passport ( and I-94) no other ID required ( as correctly stated in the most current SSN aplication form: http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf

The VJ guide is wrong here too.

Good luck ( someone please update the VJ SSN Guide)

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info. Since my fiancee will be here soon, it is a very helpfull thing.

Good luck

[I+H 11]

Great post!

I would just like to add our experience real quick if you don't mind.

At our SS office they were unable to issue a SS card to us at first because Homeland Security had entered my husband in there system as an F-1 and not a K-1. The lady at the office gave an explanation that made it seem like she didn't know what she was talking about. She just didn't effectively explain the situation. So if anyone can't figure out what is going on this may have happened.

Best of luck to everyone!

[kissjo 2]

Thank you for this helpful and important post!! I love people on VJ.. So helpful!!...

[M_A 0]

i had my 1st SSN in my maiden name a week after my POE, even if my name wasn't in the database yet, clerk process my application and told me to wait 2-3 weeks for my card because they still have to wait for my name to be save in USCIS system, then told me to comeback to change my married name after i get married... i bought my passport and i-94... after 3 weeks i had the card in our mail box...

1 week after i got married, i went back to SSA to change my maiden name to married name... i bought again my passport, i-94 and marriage certificate... the clerk processed my application... after 3 working days... my card in my married name was in our mailbox...

now i have my greencard, i went again to SSA (don't think this is necessary but i wanted to) to remove the "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION" from the card... i just showed him my gc... then he processed it... 3 days after, here comes my ss card in our mailbox...

[johnvil 2]

For anyone who is interested in Social Security numbers for K1 visa. We applyed for one today for my Fiance, no problems at all. Maybe we are lucky because we live in a major metropolitan area and the clerk knew exactly what to do.(even if the clerk was wrong on some fine point details) But here is the summary and link. It comes in the mail about 2 weeks after successful application.

1. K1 are aligible to get a SSN upon Entry to US without a doubt!!! Here is the latest info from Soc Security website: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211420

This totally current Sept 2011 link cleary defines the rules for any UNINFORMED US government employees. But You NEED TO DO as it says on VJ guides. Wait at least 10 business days for the fiances info to get into the SAVE database. Some SS office employees apparently dont know what this database is. Just tell the clerk NOT to process the application for the social security number if they can NOT find the fiance's name in that database. If they can't find the fiance, then just come back to the office in a few days and try again. I told the clerk ( very gently because they are on a power trip to Jupiter) just please check the database and if the fiance doesnt appear please DO NOT PROCESS THE APPLICATION TODAY. Fortunately, my fiance's name was in the SAVE database.

The clerk tried to assure me that it didnt matter if she was in the database - WRONG! It matters because then it takes a few months to get the SSN not 2 weeks. If the name isn't in the SAVE database then they will manually enter the application and have to get approval from Homeland security. WASTE OF TIME. So wait 2 calendar weeks before you attempt to get a SSN.

Then the clerk told me I can come back again "after I got the greencard" to change to her married name. WRONG again. Just read the VJ guide. http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

THE LINK IN THE VJ GUIDE is outdated. USE MY link https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211420 and print this out before you go!! THE SSN document that authorizes K1 to get SSN. Be prepared to educate the supervisor if needed.

Also, she as a LEGAL CITIZEN/RESIDENT OF ANOTHER COUNTRY ( alien) was required ONLY TO HAVE valid passport ( and I-94) no other ID required ( as correctly stated in the most current SSN aplication form: http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf

The VJ guide is wrong here too.

Good luck ( someone please update the VJ SSN Guide)

Hope this helps.

Hi! this was a good info . However I want to ask if me, having a k1 visa can work without getting an

Employment Authorization Document from DHS after i get my social security number, as per what was written on the link you posted here?

[Vicky and Larry 27]

For anyone who is interested in Social Security numbers for K1 visa. We applyed for one today for my Fiance, no problems at all. Maybe we are lucky because we live in a major metropolitan area and the clerk knew exactly what to do.(even if the clerk was wrong on some fine point details) But here is the summary and link. It comes in the mail about 2 weeks after successful application.

1. K1 are aligible to get a SSN upon Entry to US without a doubt!!! Here is the latest info from Soc Security website: https://secure.ssa.g.../lnx/0110211420

This totally current Sept 2011 link cleary defines the rules for any UNINFORMED US government employees. But You NEED TO DO as it says on VJ guides. Wait at least 10 business days for the fiances info to get into the SAVE database. Some SS office employees apparently dont know what this database is. Just tell the clerk NOT to process the application for the social security number if they can NOT find the fiance's name in that database. If they can't find the fiance, then just come back to the office in a few days and try again. I told the clerk ( very gently because they are on a power trip to Jupiter) just please check the database and if the fiance doesnt appear please DO NOT PROCESS THE APPLICATION TODAY. Fortunately, my fiance's name was in the SAVE database.

The clerk tried to assure me that it didnt matter if she was in the database - WRONG! It matters because then it takes a few months to get the SSN not 2 weeks. If the name isn't in the SAVE database then they will manually enter the application and have to get approval from Homeland security. WASTE OF TIME. So wait 2 calendar weeks before you attempt to get a SSN.

Then the clerk told me I can come back again "after I got the greencard" to change to her married name. WRONG again. Just read the VJ guide. http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

THE LINK IN THE VJ GUIDE is outdated. USE MY link https://secure.ssa.g.../lnx/0110211420 and print this out before you go!! THE SSN document that authorizes K1 to get SSN. Be prepared to educate the supervisor if needed.

Also, she as a LEGAL CITIZEN/RESIDENT OF ANOTHER COUNTRY ( alien) was required ONLY TO HAVE valid passport ( and I-94) no other ID required ( as correctly stated in the most current SSN aplication form: http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf

The VJ guide is wrong here too.

Good luck ( someone please update the VJ SSN Guide)

Hope this helps.

THANK YOU!

We just received a letter from Social Security stating that I am not eligible, even though your links state that I am. We are going to go back and take proof of what they need to do. So bloody annoying!

[Matt & Bing 56]

Hi! this was a good info . However I want to ask if me, having a k1 visa can work without getting an

Employment Authorization Document from DHS after i get my social security number, as per what was written on the link you posted here?

No, you cannot work until you get your employment authorzation (Applied for when you file for AOS). Your initial SS card will be stamped "not vaild for work without DHS authorization".