SSN Howto

[SweetDelish 38]

only thing I'd add is when filling out the form, noting which box of 'citizenship status' K1 should tick i.e 'legal alien allowed to work' thats the one thing that stumped me and I had to look it up, I'm heading into the office to submit my application tomorrow.

thanks for the tips, I've noted them down, hopefully no dramas!

[Darnell 8,478]

SweetDelish - Thanks !

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Bump - any more inputs?

[caly 48]

I have no backgrounders on how to get the SSN when a GREEN CARD is the first 'thing' you have ....

I don't know if you were actually asking for feedback on this or not.

I'd been here slightly over a month and had gotten my green card in the mail but no SSN. So I brought my green card and passport to my local SSA office. The guy at the window said my name was not in the system (after reading your post #1, I hope this doesn't cause any issues for me in future! Hasn't so far..) He actually filled out the application form for me on his computer with the information on my GC and passport and had me write my parents' names for him which he then entered as well.

I got my SSN card in the mail 4 days later (this was over Christmas break too!)

Maybe things are calmer and happen faster in a small town? Maybe coincidence and it was already on it's way (somehow!)

Whatever it was, that was my experience with the local SSA.

[Darnell 8,478]

Caly - thanks so much !

[Darnell 8,478]

bump

Still looking for comments - want to make another major revision this weekend.

Thanks in advance !

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

It's straightforward for EAD or GC for first time issuance. You just show that document and your passport and that's it. There's no real tricks there.

Maybe it is good to add that a SSN acquired with EAD or K-1 will have the "Not valid for employment..." wording on it and that can be removed only with GC.

[Darnell 8,478]

Harpa - there's a big deal on SAVE database lookup, most folk with SSA don't use it properly...

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Harpa - there's a big deal on SAVE database lookup, most folk with SSA don't use it properly...

What does that have to do with my comments?

[TBoneTX 45,241]

*** Thread moved from SSN subforum to Site Discussion -- new location for thread increases chances of OP's receiving feedback as expressed in opening post. ***

[NikLR 13,227]

Ya keep mentioning wife... What if it's the hubs?

[The Mean Lady 604]

does one pronounce this as 'save' or S-A-V-E?

I don't want to be going in there saying 'look him up in the save database' and they're all like 'huh?'

Ya keep mentioning wife... What if it's the hubs?

darnell is sexist.

all foreigners are wiminz

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

I've written something up for a SSN Howto - please have a read, make comments. At some point, I'll refactor, ask for it to be pinned here.

Thanks !

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

SSN Info for K-1 visa Holders and CR/IR Visa Holders

K-1 Visa Holders

Regardless of your Marital Status, you are allowed to apply for a SSN.

You have a particular time window in which to apply -

starts 2 weeks after POE date and ends 2 weeks before the I-94 expires.

Why are these start/end dates important?

2 weeks after POE date, the SAVE database MIGHT have you in the system.

SAVE is used by SSA clerks to validate you are eligible.

2 weeks prior to I-94 expiring, SSA won't accept the application, as the validity date to

receive it will pass by the time it's mailed out to you.

How to apply:

Get into your local SSA office, bring your passport and I-94 and a birth certificate. The birth

certificate is optional, but some SSA staffers want to see it. Fill out the SS-5 form there, use

your visa name (regardless of marital status) then

--ask the SSA clerk to look you up in the SAVE system via VISA NAME and/or A#.

---If the SSA clerk can't find you, withdraw the SS-5 firmly, and come back in a week.

---If the SSA clerk can find you by VISA Name but not A#, or vice versa, you need to get to a CBP secondary inspection office and FIX YOUR SAVE RECORD with a CBP staffer (see http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/deferred_inspection/overview_deferred_inspection.xml for the local office address). Don't bother with using a telephone, just go to the office. No queues, no lines, no waiting, just go. If the CBP staffer is confused, ask for the shift supervisor - tell them you have issues with your SAVE record..

---If the SSA clerk CAN FIND YOU, YAY! Go through with the SS-5 application. Come back the next day, and ask for the SSN. Note the physical card will be mailed out, but you can have the NUMBER the next working day.

CR-1/IR-1/CR-2/IR-2/IR-5 Visa Holders

'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 foreign spouse

--yer foreign spouse's 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

Maybe we can add to our SSN Guide with your permission?

http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

[Darnell 8,478]

Cap'n Ewok - i'd prefer this thread to morph into a pinned topic, a new one, once i have finished updating it.

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new stuff - k-1 visa holders must get their I-94 printed off of a website now - see https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html;jsessionid=bpPSRG8YZhTzF5LNLJLWMDLtNJ1wVtSh2ZwjrLLLGL6JtnfrLtPQ%C2'>

[The Mean Lady 604]

Why you no answer my question?

[Darnell 8,478]

does one pronounce this as 'save' or S-A-V-E?

I don't want to be going in there saying 'look him up in the save database' and they're all like 'huh?'

SAVE.

Use it as a 'pass/fail' question. If the clerk gets stupid after asking for the lookup in SAVE, ask for a supervisor, quickly.