K1: SSN Number Obtained - when can I use it?

[rob999 51]

Hello all,

I got to USA on a K1 Visa last Friday, yesterday (Monday) I went to the social security office and applied for an SSN. All done successfully and was very easy. Today I popped back down there to get the number of which they have given me.

I popped into AT&T to see if I could start a plan with them using the newly obtained SSN. They said that my SSN was not yet in the system when they tried to look it up.

Does it take a day or two (or couple) from applying for shops etc to be able to look up my SSN in the system?

Thanks

Rob

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hello all,

I got to USA on a K1 Visa last Friday, yesterday (Monday) I went to the social security office and applied for an SSN. All done successfully and was very easy. Today I popped back down there to get the number of which they have given me.

I popped into AT&T to see if I could start a plan with them using the newly obtained SSN. They said that my SSN was not yet in the system when they tried to look it up.

Does it take a day or two (or couple) from applying for shops etc to be able to look up my SSN in the system?

Thanks

Rob

it depends on the system that is using the SSN.

I've seen people report 6 months before they could be verified on some systems like background checks for employment when the service is contracted out.

If ATT is running your SSN for a credit check, you may not show up for a very long time since you haven't established credit.

[rob999 51]

it depends on the system that is using the SSN.

I've seen people report 6 months before they could be verified on some systems like background checks for employment when the service is contracted out.

If ATT is running your SSN for a credit check, you may not show up for a very long time since you haven't established credit.

OK Thanks Nich-Nick, SSN is such a pain. I'll have a chat with Bank of America to see what accounts they can set-up for me. Was hoping to get an auto loan next week so that it can help my credit

[Darnell 8,478]

anything requiring a credit check based on that SSN? impossible.

however -

you can get a bank account easily.

suggest you obtain a prepaid credit card at 500 soon, next, use it to build up yer credit history in the usa.

[Darnell 8,478]

OK Thanks Nich-Nick, SSN is such a pain. I'll have a chat with Bank of America to see what accounts they can set-up for me. Was hoping to get an auto loan next week so that it can help my credit

auto loan? sorry, you not meet the residency requirements until green card in hand for regular credit .

some third tier lots might help you.

Welcome to Houston !

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

OK Thanks Nich-Nick, SSN is such a pain. I'll have a chat with Bank of America to see what accounts they can set-up for me. Was hoping to get an auto loan next week so that it can help my credit

Rob, you are a K1 so can't be in a hurry to get on with your independent life. You are neither fish nor fowl. You have an I -94 that gives you 90 days in this country. Hardly more than a visitor on paper to ATT, banks, car dealers, driver license people, auto insurance, etc.

Get married, get that EAD that allows you a year in the US, have the wife add a a phone to her plan, add you as a user of her credit cards, and buy you a car in both names. What are you going to have to prove your marital financial co-mingling at an interview then again for removing conditions if you have your phone, your car, your loan??

Do you just want to appear to be roommates?

[rob999 51]

Dahn, thought we could set things up quicker. Yeah we had planned to share all the services between us so she didn't have all the pressure on her since we plan to use her credit for the mortgage. So for the cell I was going to take a family plan on my side (to show the exact co-mingling and sharing), she'll take a mortgage by the time of AOS interview. We will also have a joint bank account soon. So I had that covered in my planning for AOS. I knew I was restricted but looks like I underestimated how restricted! The auto loan was going to be joint under me too. So by the time of interview both of us had account to help out both our credit ratings.

I've done all the AOS prep and we are set to get married so was just filling time.

Oh well. I'll stick with the joint checking account and a standard credit card

[Darnell 8,478]

want a credit history file quicker? get a prepaid visa card, this week. sure, you get 500 bucks 'in the hole' but it's the fastest way to build a credit history file.

[rob999 51]

want a credit history file quicker? get a prepaid visa card, this week. sure, you get 500 bucks 'in the hole' but it's the fastest way to build a credit history file.

Thanks, going to get that done today

[Darnell 8,478]

coolness ! Welcome to USA ! [and Houston - hope you enjoyed the rain yesterday ! ]

[rob999 51]

coolness ! Welcome to USA ! [and Houston - hope you enjoyed the rain yesterday ! ]

Thanks! It's been quite an adjustment to the heat!

[rob999 51]

OK just an update.

I went into Bank of America last week whom I have a checking account with and they opened up a Credit Card for me, a proper one (not one of those deposit ones)! I opened my checking about 6 months ago and then kept $10k in it for when I move which is their limit for "preferred" customer, didn't think that would do anything 6 months ago but seemed to have done something today and help me get a proper credit card.

Transferred my AMEX from UK to US without hitch too though took 3 days to process the application overall.

Got my SSN card too - 5 working days.