Get your SSN ASAP!

[Maxheadspace 48]

If you (or spouse) enter the US on a K1 visa and get married, go to the Social Security Administration as soon as possible to file for your SSN. We almost lost the chance to get my wife's SSN because we waited until close to the time her K1 visa expired (90 days). The SSA will not issue an SSN if you are within 14 days of the expiration of your K1. We were about 17 days away from her expiration date and the SSA folks hesitated because it was so close to expiration. When they counted on their fingers and realized we were still outside the 14 day window, they gladly processed her application. They did not question why she needed her SSN now, nor did they question any of our proof (passport with K1 visa and marriage certificate). So, from our experience, as soon as you have your marriage certificate in hand, apply for SSN. If we were within 14 days of the the K1 expiration we would have had to wait until our AOS and work status was approved. Now she can be added to my financial accounts and be included in filing tax returns.

Good luck to all!

[Cody and Daisy 374]

Don't need to wait to get married and have the marriage certificate to get ssn.

You can get it after arriving in the usa for two weeks.

Also they don't like changing your name until you have an EAD by the looks of it (that's the case for me) so apply in maiden name.

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from K1 Process to SSN Forum~

~Commentary about SSN, past K1~

(Organizer hat off)

Check out the Step #16 of the K1 Flowchart: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

[TBoneTX 46,117]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the Social Security Numbers subforum -- not a K-1 process issue. ***

[Girl from Celebes 588]

If you (or spouse) enter the US on a K1 visa and get married, go to the Social Security Administration as soon as possible to file for your SSN. We almost lost the chance to get my wife's SSN because we waited until close to the time her K1 visa expired (90 days). The SSA will not issue an SSN if you are within 14 days of the expiration of your K1. We were about 17 days away from her expiration date and the SSA folks hesitated because it was so close to expiration. When they counted on their fingers and realized we were still outside the 14 day window, they gladly processed her application. They did not question why she needed her SSN now, nor did they question any of our proof (passport with K1 visa and marriage certificate). So, from our experience, as soon as you have your marriage certificate in hand, apply for SSN. If we were within 14 days of the the K1 expiration we would have had to wait until our AOS and work status was approved. Now she can be added to my financial accounts and be included in filing tax returns.

Good luck to all!

You don't need a marriage certificate to apply for SSN. A K-1 visa holder entitled to apply.

[E-N 48]

so, can I ask a question because this is good information. My future hubby and I plan on getting married in April of the upcoming year (obviously) and does the expiration for the VISA count from the time issued from the embassy or, from the time he steps foot in the US? Reason I as he is a practicing pharmacist in the UK but is doing a specialty program for Oncology( cancer) and will finish in January but will need to see patients up until April, hence the reason we chose an April date. So, lets say if our process finishes by January, he gets his VISA in hand, will the opportunity to get his SSN expire from the time the embassy issues his VISA (lets say January) or, from the time he sets foot on US soil? The VISA is good for 4 or six months meaning, you have 4-6 months to use after issuance? thanks in advance

[hir0 49]

so, can I ask a question because this is good information. My future hubby and I plan on getting married in April of the upcoming year (obviously) and does the expiration for the VISA count from the time issued from the embassy or, from the time he steps foot in the US? Reason I as he is a practicing pharmacist in the UK but is doing a specialty program for Oncology( cancer) and will finish in January but will need to see patients up until April, hence the reason we chose an April date. So, lets say if our process finishes by January, he gets his VISA in hand, will the opportunity to get his SSN expire from the time the embassy issues his VISA (lets say January) or, from the time he sets foot on US soil? The VISA is good for 4 or six months meaning, you have 4-6 months to use after issuance? thanks in advance

It may vary by country but you usually have 6months max. the medical exam to enter the US.

On the DS-160 you will be asked when you plan on entering the US, put the date that suits you best and depending on the embassy you go through you can change the interview date.

You can ask the embassy you will go through & the Dr you will see for your medical exam.

In my case, the Dr told me it when I came to pick up my results ('in case you cannot travel when planned, the medical exam is only good for 6month')

[_Paul&Jesica_ 70]

If you (or spouse) enter the US on a K1 visa and get married, go to the Social Security Administration as soon as possible to file for your SSN. We almost lost the chance to get my wife's SSN because we waited until close to the time her K1 visa expired (90 days). The SSA will not issue an SSN if you are within 14 days of the expiration of your K1. We were about 17 days away from her expiration date and the SSA folks hesitated because it was so close to expiration. When they counted on their fingers and realized we were still outside the 14 day window, they gladly processed her application. They did not question why she needed her SSN now, nor did they question any of our proof (passport with K1 visa and marriage certificate). So, from our experience, as soon as you have your marriage certificate in hand, apply for SSN. If we were within 14 days of the the K1 expiration we would have had to wait until our AOS and work status was approved. Now she can be added to my financial accounts and be included in filing tax returns.

Good luck to all!

No need to wait two weeks after POE either with the electronic I-94.

Don't need to wait to get married and have the marriage certificate to get ssn.

You can get it after arriving in the usa for two weeks.

Also they don't like changing your name until you have an EAD by the looks of it (that's the case for me) so apply in maiden name.

More importantly, you need to apply for the SSN in the name that is on the I-94 as that is the name and info that SSA will verify against SAFE.

[Darnell 8,479]

so, can I ask a question because this is good information. My future hubby and I plan on getting married in April of the upcoming year (obviously) and does the expiration for the VISA count from the time issued from the embassy or, from the time he steps foot in the US? Reason I as he is a practicing pharmacist in the UK but is doing a specialty program for Oncology( cancer) and will finish in January but will need to see patients up until April, hence the reason we chose an April date. So, lets say if our process finishes by January, he gets his VISA in hand, will the opportunity to get his SSN expire from the time the embassy issues his VISA (lets say January) or, from the time he sets foot on US soil? The VISA is good for 4 or six months meaning, you have 4-6 months to use after issuance? thanks in advance

K-1 visa usage - has up to 6 months duration in which to enter the USA, one time. once done, K-1 visa invalidated at the POE. This 6 months validity of duration is usually tied to medical exam date but some IV units have other variances... Will not know anything until he/she can review the visa foil attached inside of the passport, after the visa packet is in his/her hand.

Once inside USA, legal presence governed by I-94 document, and usually is 90 day span, POE date forward.

Is best to get SSN soon after POE date, and (if female) apply in passport name.

[CowBoE 429]

My fiancee arrived on Saturday, got the I-94 on following Wednesday from CBP office,

filed for SS card on Thursday, and received the SS card on next Thursday.

So it took us only 12 calendar days from her POE to get the SS card in her hand.

[E-N 48]

alrighty. thanks so much for your responses. We are far away from this point but it is good knowledge to have. It will however come quickly I am sure.