SSN application

[newlyweds 0]

Hi I have a question for my sister, she just arrived in the country and was approved for the immigrant visa back in the philippines. She literally just step foot in america and my question is does she have to go to the Social security office to apply for her SSN? she thought it might have already been applied on her behalf as soon as she got through the POE, she said there was a form, a DS 230 that may have allowed her to do this. Now, either way would be fine with us, we just need to know people's thoughts about it. We are gonna call the SSA by morning to clarify but since I've never heard of such thing but my experience was different as I came here on a K-1 and she came here thru an immigrant visa.

Thank you!

[jkelly07 120]

if she just arrived in the united states, it takes a little to get in the system wait three weeks if you don;t receive it then you need to go to the social security office in your area bring all your papers passport with the green card stamped in the passport, bring id, proof of your residence,

[Cathi 5,746]

We were under the impression that was the case with my husband's SS number as well, but it wasn't. Three weeks after his arrival we went to the local SS office on our own, and he was NOT in their system. So we applied that day and it still took him an entire month AFTER that to receive it. So my advice, after 2 weeks go and apply on your own. Good luck.

[vbbv8118 4]

like what the others have said, she would need to go to the SSA office to apply for her SSN. just bring her passport where the I-551 was stamped, as well as proof of residence.

[TBoneTX 45,266]

*** Thread moved from General Immigration Discussion to Social Security Numbers subforum. ***

[caly 48]

If she checked the box on the DS-230 to have the SSN sent to her, she should wait for it to come. Whether it will be sent automatically is a little bit of a hit-or-miss though.

As others have said, if it doesn't arrive in the mail within 2 to 3 weeks, she can apply for it in person at her local SS office. I received mine in the mail 4 days after I applied for it in person.. and it was over the Christmas holidays too!

[Darnell 8,478]

'ticking the box' on the DS-230 is sorta teasing to any Visa Applicant.

The SSN may get processed, it may not get processed - it just depends on the clerk doing the data entry work for the 'intake' on the casefile once yer wife handed it over to any POE staffer. I know, the tick box was ticked, there's a reasonable expectation that 'something will get done' based on that tick box...

But -

if it's been more than 2 weeks past the Port of Entry Date,

then there's a good chance that the SAVE database system has synched up,

and

any SSA clerk, at the local SSA office, can find her in the SAVE database.

Ya won't know till you try. Suggest you go in person, bring -

--yer wife

--her passport

--filled out application (can get those at the office, too)

and apply.

Whilst at the SSA office -

Ask any clerk to look her up in the SAVE database, in the VISA name and A#.

If they can't find her by EITHER ONE (name or A#) - go away, do not allow the application to be accepted,

come back in a week - SAVE system doesn't have her, yet. IF any SSA clerk mumbles 'need DHS/USCIS electronic verification' - do not allow the application to be accepted - come back in a week - SAVE system doesn't have her, yet.

Although SAVE database is useful for 'status checking' at the SSA office (by the SSA clerks) -

many of them are not trained on how to use it. If you get blank looks or mumbles, ask for a Supervisor,

and ask the Supervisor to 'look her up' in SAVE. If she is found via A# but the VISA name is stored wrong, in SAVE, you'll need to do something else, with the SAVE unit, to get it changed. It's a hassle, sure, but suggest you do change it to proper spelling of 'VISA NAME' prior to SSN issuance.

More SAVE INFO - http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextchannel=1721c2ec0c7c8110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextoid=1721c2ec0c7c8110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD

re: greencard - should arrive within 45 days. If not have it after that, don't sweat this, much, as she has an I-551 stamp in her passport that validates her VISA to be used as a temporary green card, for up to 1 year.

Hey - you have any address issues? Do you still live at the address listed in the DS-230 ? If not, oh boy - you'll need to contact a Tier 2 Human with USCIS - see http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/gc_1221837986181.shtm#5 and ask

--anything sent to that address yet?

--you receive 'nixed' mail yet?

--please resend all to the new address.

Don't muck about with a Tier 1 Sub-Human, a CSR - you , instead, want/need/require - a Tier 2 Human , an ISO.

also - checking in with the USCIS status portal can be useful - SOMETIMES it's updated properly and you'll see the 'card production ordered' status show up. Sometimes.