When to apply for SS card?

[josh n sherilyn 0]

My fiance will be arriving soon, and I am confused as to when to apply for her SS card.

I have read the flowchart and a description for K1 visa holder. Both say different things. Any thoughts from k1 visa holders? I'm trying to coordinate a lot of things and it is very stressful/confusing. Thanks

[Dave&Roza 748]

My fiance will be arriving soon, and I am confused as to when to apply for her SS card.

I have read the flowchart and a description for K1 visa holder. Both say different things. Any thoughts from k1 visa holders? I'm trying to coordinate a lot of things and it is very stressful/confusing. Thanks

It is usually best to wait approximately two weeks after arrival on a K-1 so the immigrant's information gets placed into the SAVE database before trying to apply for a SSC. You have unitl day 74 of arrival (or two weeks before the I-94 expires) to apply without having to wait for the EAD or GC. Please note the date, time and people you deal with at the SSA office you visit as you may have to send an e-mail to the head SSA office detailing your experience so they can send you an e-mail to educate the local employees.

As a K-1 visaholder you are authorized to work and thus are eligible to receive a SSN. This authorization comes from the USCIS in the form of the EAD or GC. The initial SSC will have the words "NOT VALID FOR WORK WITHOUT DHS AUTHORIZATION". This means that you need the SSC AND either the EAD or GC in order to legally work. Since the SSN has become a pseudo national ID number and it makes life a whole lot easier to get bank accounts and be placed on insurance, it is better to deal with the SSA now verses later. If you wait until after the I-94 is within 2 weeks of expiring then you have no choice but to wait for the EAD or GC.

Good luck,

Dave

Edited October 8, 2012 by Dave&Roza

[GrayL 47]

When she arrives wait 7-10 days before applying, you can apply any time until 2 weeks before her I-90 expires.

I got mine about 2 months after I got here, the process is painless and quick (if you go to the social security office early in the morning).

Here's what she needs to do:

1. Wait 7-10 days after she arrived in the US.

2. Fill in this form: http://ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf

3. Find your local office here: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/FOLO/fo001.jsp

4. She'll need to take with her her passport with I-90 in it plus any ID's she may have (foreign driver's licence etc.)

5. Go EARLY in the morning.

This guide will help you greatly! http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

The process for me took about 20 minutes, then I got my SS card in the mail about a week later.

Good Luck,

GrayL

[josh n sherilyn 0]

Thank you guys, a lot. Very helpful.

[Pitaya 2,577]

My wife arrived ion 26 July. She applied for her SSN on 16 August. She received her SSN in the mail mid- September. The Burro Patrol is running slow these days (taking their cue from the VSC )

YMMV

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

** MOving from AOS from K1 to SSN forum ****

[ca_babe 129]

I applied the same day I arrived.