Social security number and temporary work visa for K-1 applicants after entering the USA

[vantasticvoyge 0]

I entered the USA on a K-1 visa on the 10th October. I have heard that I should apply for a social security number ASAP after entering. Is this true?

Also, I heard that there are 3 ways in which to receive authorization to work.

1. Temporary work permit (lasts 90 days)

2. E.A.D. (Lasts 12 months)

3. Permanent Residence Card / Greencard

I know about the last two but is the first (temporary work permit) still available? If so, which form do I fill out to get it whilst I am waiting to be married / applying for my adjustment of status / E.A.D.

Is it worth applying / paying for? I have heard that the waiting/processing times are lengthy for it.

Thank you for any help.

[Lainie B 465]

It's not worth applying for. You can apply as soon as you arrive on the K-1 with the I-765 and pay the fee but it takes up to 90 days to be processed, and since it expires 90 days after your arrival date, at best you will be able to work with it for a week or two.

Better to get married ASAP, then file the I-765 for free with the I-485.

[little_g 35]

You will only get approval to work once you apply for your AOS and recieve your E.A.C. which also acts as a travel card too until the Green Card arrives.Applying for a temp work authorization is not worth it in my opinion. I dont know what process times are these days but it would be worth it to look into I think it took my husband 2 months to get it. As far as getting your social security card goes it is totally worth it to do that as soon as you can because without it you cannot get a bank account. That was one of the first things we did while waiting for my husbands E.A.C. Then he had it when everything else was approved

[Lainie B 465]

You will only get approval to work once you apply for your AOS and recieve your E.A.C. which also acts as a travel card too until the Green Card arrives.Applying for a temp work authorization is not worth it in my opinion. I dont know what process times are these days but it would be worth it to look into I think it took my husband 2 months to get it. As far as getting your social security card goes it is totally worth it to do that as soon as you can because without it you cannot get a bank account. That was one of the first things we did while waiting for my husbands E.A.C. Then he had it when everything else was approved

Just to clarify, the EAD only acts as a travel card if you also apply for AP with the I-131 at the same time.

[little_g 35]

Just to clarify, the EAD only acts as a travel card if you also apply for AP with the I-131 at the same time.

Yes! True, thanks for adding that point

[TBoneTX 46,208]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the AOS/Family-Based main forum. OP, you can read the Guides for this step and get answers to many questions. ***

[Hank_ 9,174]

Just to clarify, the EAD only acts as a travel card if you also apply for AP with the I-131 at the same time.

EAD is an Employment Authorization, AP is the travel card.

I entered the USA on a K-1 visa on the 10th October. I have heard that I should apply for a social security number ASAP after entering. Is this true?

Also, I heard that there are 3 ways in which to receive authorization to work.

1. Temporary work permit (lasts 90 days)

2. E.A.D. (Lasts 12 months)

3. Permanent Residence Card / Greencard

I know about the last two but is the first (temporary work permit) still available? If so, which form do I fill out to get it whilst I am waiting to be married / applying for my adjustment of status / E.A.D.

Is it worth applying / paying for? I have heard that the waiting/processing times are lengthy for it.

Thank you for any help.

Click on the GUIDE and read the AOS for K-1 section.

The I-765 (work authorization card) is free when filed with the I-485, same with the I-131 Advance Parole (travel card). You can receive the EAD/AP card in 60 to 120 after filing.

[Lainie B 465]

EAD is an Employment Authorization, AP is the travel card.

Click on the GUIDE and read the AOS for K-1 section.

The I-765 (work authorization card) is free when filed with the I-485, same with the I-131 Advance Parole (travel card). You can receive the EAD/AP card in 60 to 120 after filing.

The AP is now just an endorsement on the EAD, it's not a separate card, unless it's applied for separately to the EAD.

Edited October 16, 2013 by Lainie B

[Hank_ 9,174]

The AP is now just an endorsement on the EAD, it's not a separate card, unless it's applied for separately to the EAD.

USCIS called it a combo card in the letter that came with my wife's, they issue both on the same card.

?

[Pitaya 2,577]

USCIS called it a combo card in the letter that came with my wife's, they issue both on the same card.

?

That is what my wife and stepson received last year.

[Lainie B 465]

USCIS called it a combo card in the letter that came with my wife's, they issue both on the same card.

?

Yes, exactly. That's what I'm saying. One card, not two.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Just to clarify, EAD never acts a a travel card. Having the combo card with the AP endorsement allows for travel, it is the AP endorsement that IS the travel authorization.

[ChicagoSarah 127]

I entered the USA on a K-1 visa on the 10th October. I have heard that I should apply for a social security number ASAP after entering. Is this true?

Also, I heard that there are 3 ways in which to receive authorization to work.

1. Temporary work permit (lasts 90 days)

2. E.A.D. (Lasts 12 months)

3. Permanent Residence Card / Greencard

I know about the last two but is the first (temporary work permit) still available? If so, which form do I fill out to get it whilst I am waiting to be married / applying for my adjustment of status / E.A.D.

Is it worth applying / paying for? I have heard that the waiting/processing times are lengthy for it.

Thank you for any help.

Advice out there is to wait to apply for a SSN (social security number) until 10 days after your POE. This allows time to get you into the SAVE database which they access to determine that you are eligible for a SSN.

However, with the government shutdown, Social Security has limited functionality and are not issuing new social security cards right now. http://www.ssa.gov/shutdown/

Also not sure how the shutdown may be affecting the information getting into the SAVE database.

My fiance entered on Oct 6th, and we were planning for him to go this week to get a SSN, but I guess we'll all have to wait for the shutdown to end.

Everyone else answered the EAD/Temp Work visa questions....and I agree with all of them on that front!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

A computer is supposed to make the entry into the SAVE database, taking the info from the passport scan. The automation of the I-94 means there is no longer manual entry by a human and no 10 day wait for manual entry.

This does not apply to anyone who filled out a paper I-94.

[ChicagoSarah 127]

A computer is supposed to make the entry into the SAVE database, taking the info from the passport scan. The automation of the I-94 means there is no longer manual entry by a human and no 10 day wait for manual entry.

This does not apply to anyone who filled out a paper I-94.

Thank you! I knew the I-94 had gone electronic, but wasn't sure how this translated to the SAVE database. Thanks for the clarification! And also a sigh of relief since that computer shouldn't have gone on furlough, so as soon as SSA re-opens full functionality, there shouldn't be an additional wait for a SSN!