Old SSN under F1 to EAD under K1

[Mar and Esp 4]

Hi guys, hope you can all help me with my questions. I first went to the States as a student and found work (on campus which is allowed) and got a SSN number. Fast forward 6 years from that, I am coming back to the States to marry my fiance. My questions are: do I get to keep my old SSN? Or do I need to file for EAD? If I keep my old SSN, will that have any restrictions that I need to get lifted? what should be my next steps?

I am unsure if other people on this forum have the same experience but any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you all im advance for your help!

[Dave&Roza 748]

Hi guys, hope you can all help me with my questions. I first went to the States as a student and found work (on campus which is allowed) and got a SSN number. Fast forward 6 years from that, I am coming back to the States to marry my fiance. My questions are: do I get to keep my old SSN? Or do I need to file for EAD? If I keep my old SSN, will that have any restrictions that I need to get lifted? what should be my next steps?

I am unsure if other people on this forum have the same experience but any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you all im advance for your help!

The SSN is yours for life so you get to keep it. As a K-1 visa holder you are allowed to work only with DHS authorization so you need the EAD or GC in order to legally work. You do not need to go to the SSA as your current card does not have the statement "VALID FOR WORK WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION" but you still need that authorization to work. So get married and file for AOS along with the EAD/AP.

Good luck,

Dave

[Mar and Esp 4]

The SSN is yours for life so you get to keep it. As a K-1 visa holder you are allowed to work only with DHS authorization so you need the EAD or GC in order to legally work. You do not need to go to the SSA as your current card does not have the statement "VALID FOR WORK WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION" but you still need that authorization to work. So get married and file for AOS along with the EAD/AP.

Good luck,

Dave

Thanks Dave. Just a few clarifications if you dont mind. So what will happen is I get married, file for AOS with EAD and AP. when the EAD is approved, SSA assigns me the same SSN number as before but this time, I can work legally even without the DHS authorization? Thanks again for your help!

[Hypnos 6,578]

No, the SSA will not "reassign" your number, since, once issued, numbers are for life. As soon as you have your EAD in your hands then you can work and will use the SSN that you already have. The SSA will have no involvement in this process whatsoever, since you already have a previously-issued SSN.

Your DHS authorisation is the EAD; that is what it stands for: "Employment Authorisation Document".

Edited September 9, 2012 by Hypnos

[Mar and Esp 4]

No, the SSA will not "reassign" your number, since, once issued, numbers are for life. As soon as you have your EAD in your hands then you can work and will use the SSN that you already have. The SSA will have no involvement in this process whatsoever, since you already have a previously-issued SSN.

Your DHS authorisation is the EAD; that is what it stands for: "Employment Authorisation Document".

Got it. Thanks for clarifying. I appreciate your help!

[jarta 24]

i just went through pretty much the same thing. i had SSN when i was in college i have used it in all my application (K1, EAD,AP and GC) without any problem. my EAD and AP has been approved and i'm going for my GC interview month. they never assigned me a new SSN