Post Embassy Drama, UK VJer 'Life In The USA' Edition.

[swji89 41]

Not true. That's old advice. Daniel and so many others got their SSNs before two weeks. Daniel got his 4 days after he POE'ed.

Need to bring:

SS-5 form (found on Social security website)

Passport

I-94

one other form of ID (Daniel used his birth certificate)

document RM 10211.530 which explains that K1s are able to get a SSN under the "allowed to work" category

VJ has a guide for this: http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

Well I didn't see that updated advice anywhere! I've waited all this time and I could've probably had the card by now! Oh well, not much I can do about it now.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Well I didn't see that updated advice anywhere! I've waited all this time and I could've probably had the card by now! Oh well, not much I can do about it now.

The wait was when it was a paper I-94 that had to be sent to a data entry then manually typed into a database and uploaded. When the I-94 went automated, your passport scan at POE takes care of all that. If your I-94 is available online, then you're good to go to SSA.

[swji89 41]

The wait was when it was a paper I-94 that had to be sent to a data entry then manually typed into a database and uploaded. When the I-94 went automated, your passport scan at POE takes care of all that. If your I-94 is available online, then you're good to go to SSA.

Okay. Man, I've waited for nothing! Frustrating but nothing lost in the grand scheme of things I suppose.

While we are on the topic of SSNs, is it worth me waiting to get it before sending the AoS paperwork as there are box to enter your SSN number if you have one. Or does it not matter?

[Kat&Jon 86]

Historically its recommended if the Beneficiary is the one changing their name in the marriage, to get it before marriage and before AOS because once you get your EAD you need to go back to SSN to get your married name on it. This is usually due to the I-94 is in your unmarried name upon POE and some SSN offices will not allow you to get the SSN if it doesn't match the name on the I-94.

If you are not changing your name after marriage then you can probably wait, but I would get it asap that way you can use your SSN to start the other things such as opening a bank acct in both your names and start building your US Credit base if needed.

Edit: I realized you are married already after I initially posted this so the info I stated earlier still applies in a way. If you changed your name after marriage you may have to wait until AOS regardless.

Edited October 28, 2015 by Kat&Jon

[TylerandSue 4]

OK, I understood it but now I'm confused.

As you say my I-94 is in my maiden name and I am taking my husband's name.

If I go with my ID, I-94, SS5, RM document and another form of ID can I get a SSC even though we married last week?

And I then update my SSC once I receive my EAD?

Sorry if I'm being slow on this, but the SS5 form is out of date and I'm getting mixed up with evidence of name.

Thanks

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Okay. Man, I've waited for nothing! Frustrating but nothing lost in the grand scheme of things I suppose.

While we are on the topic of SSNs, is it worth me waiting to get it before sending the AoS paperwork as there are box to enter your SSN number if you have one. Or does it not matter?

There is no advantage to putting a SSN on the AOS paperwork. If you have one, you enter it. If not, no big deal.

Go get your SSN soon just because you can and it is useful to have the number because everybody will start asking for it...bank, IRS, landlords, etc. Apply in the name on your I-94, whether you married or changed your name. Don't even bring up the marriage or name change. Fix the name later. As a K1, you have a 76 day window after POE to get a SSN...married or not yet married.

After that K1 window closes, a new status of "work authorized" opens when you get EAD or a new status of LPR when you get the green card. For those, I would suggest allowing 10 days from approval for you new status to populate the SAVE database. By the time your card arrives in the mail, your 10 days may be about up.

[swji89 41]

There is no advantage to putting a SSN on the AOS paperwork. If you have one, you enter it. If not, no big deal.

Go get your SSN soon just because you can and it is useful to have the number because everybody will start asking for it...bank, IRS, landlords, etc. Apply in the name on your I-94, whether you married or changed your name. Don't even bring up the marriage or name change. Fix the name later. As a K1, you have a 76 day window after POE to get a SSN...married or not yet married.

After that K1 window closes, a new status of "work authorized" opens when you get EAD or a new status of LPR when you get the green card. For those, I would suggest allowing 10 days from approval for you new status to populate the SAVE database. By the time your card arrives in the mail, your 10 days may be about up.

Well, exactly, I'm definitely planning to have gone to the SS office and submitted my application by the time the week's out.

Depending on how long it will take to gather the required documents for AoS I may or may not have my SSN number yet but as it doesn't matter I certainly won't worry about it! Also, thanks for your helpful post on the i-693 from earlier in the year Nich-Nick, as reading that has confirmed my suspicions that I won't need to get one filled out even for the vaccinations as my form from the medical is all filled out correctly from what I can see so hopefully the medical records have not been lost!

[Shawn&Jodie 14]

Great thread, as we read thru it I will say the coffee drinkers have it rough. We finally bought a coffee pot and Jodie found it was easier than instant coffee. When we went back to visit my family in WVa my sister got her hooked on 8 O'clock coffee. It was actually cheaper then what she had been drinking.

This week she got her first experience of us driving to work with a tornado warning which she was not happy about. 2 hours later the university shut down and she had another fun ride as we drove around flooded streets trying to get home. After that is was a day with no power.

We rescued a dog last year as she had never had one and before she moved here she gave me grief as my last dog would sleep in the bed. She always thought that was disgusting but now every night she expects our Opie to get into bed with her.

For those moving to the US the first year I would say is the hardest. Your waiting to get all the right documents to really start your new life and sometimes the hoops you have to jump thru seem insane.

Depending on where you live you will find things that do compare to life in the UK and if you are lucky your local stores will have some staples. I suppose wherever you move there are growing pains and your move to the US will be no different. One suggestion for those of you that can now work, try a temp agency. They really helped Jodie get established with a work history and landed her in her current employer. Two years in it has been three promotions and an office with a window.

She also wanted me to add........ For you texas peeps.... "All hail whataburger".

[Sunya and Tim 55]

I asked Tim if he missed anything about the UK or Ireland (he lived there 25 years before his divorce) and he said nothing other than his son and parents. He has been traveling back and forth for the last 3 years so he was well prepared for life here and he loves Portland. He said if there was no FaceTime he would not have been able to do this...I would agree with that. We also travel back 3 times a year to visit his son so we stock up on favorites like custard mix, gravy, face cleanser (that one is me) and Mish Mash jeans.

[ChasUno 101]

For those with UK food withdrawal symptoms, I noticed the other day when shopping in a Publix supermarket that they have a British section in their "Ethnic Foods" aisle. I'm not that fussed about missing Brit foods, other than a select few specifically British items, but others mourning Rich Tea Biscuits, Branston Pickle, HP Sauce etc. might want to check out Publix.

Edited November 4, 2015 by ChasUno

[Kat&Jon 86]

For those with UK food withdrawal symptoms, I noticed the other day when shopping in a Publix supermarket that they have a British section in their "Ethnic Foods" aisle. I'm not that fussed about missing Brit foods, other than a select few specifically British items, but others mourning Rich Tea Biscuits, Branston Pickle, HP Sauce etc. might want to check out Publix.

Thanks ChasUno! I will take Jon there this next visit and see if there is anything from home that they don't carry and will ask here if there are any other places we can go. I saw the other day that they had Heinz Beans... Jon does love his beans on toast /shudders.

[chrismorrison 96]

After sitting on the 'fingerprint fee' status for months, we finally received our electronic notification that our interview is scheduled for December 10th. Let the games begin!

[-Shana- 152]

After sitting on the 'fingerprint fee' status for months, we finally received our electronic notification that our interview is scheduled for December 10th. Let the games begin!

Woohoo, congrats!! I'm guessing I'll be waiting for long time, my field office is processing cases from 1 year ago.

Things in the US of A are going well for me. I'm doing some freelance film editing work, which has got me digging into the depths of tax explanations so I can put the right amount of money aside. People are telling me 30-35% at least. I'm also doing contractor work for the husband and his job, but that should be over by Thanksgiving. Got my fingers crossed I'll hear about a job I interviewed for on Monday too.

Liking the colder weather since it reminds me of home! Looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas

[yuna628 9,702]

Starting our AOS journey tomorrow. *crosses fingers* With a bit of a heavy heart, I might add. He's suffered some deaths in his family... and while we're filing for AP and probably could obtain emergency AP, the cost of filing this application kind of overrides the price of a ticket at this point. He's adjusted very well here though and enjoys life so far.

[ChasUno 101]

We filed for AOS (plus EAD/ AP) on 2nd November. We delayed it somewhat purely due to the house move, or rather, spending a lot of time finding the right house (whilst living in temporary accommodation), then waiting almost 6 weeks for closing and then having so much stuff that had to be arranged for the new house (utilities, internet, sorting out bank accounts, finding/ buying furniture, dealing with deliveries etc.) Finally when things got a little more settled (and we had a printer we could use!), we checked through all the documents again and finally sent them off. Now begins another bureaucratic waiting game for the AOS!