Social Security Number Help! (K1 VISA)

[Cora5687 0]

Im looking to start getting paperwork and everything in order for AOS. So that leaves me with a couple questions.

My fiance is moving here at the start of July ( coming in on the K1 visa).

1. When should he apply for his social security number?

I just generally need some information about how all of this works when he enters the US and after we get married because he's going to want to work and get his drivers license.
Any information would be great!

[wbeem 568]

Hi,
We applied for my SSN two days after I arrived here and before we got married. I had my card in the mail a week later. I have just used my EAD card to have my last name changed on my Social Security Card. Your husband probably won't have to worry about that step! It's better to just get the SSN as soon as you can. I have needed mine for so many things we have wanted to do (bank accounts and other things we wanted in joint names) and it makes life a whole lot easier to have one. If you leave it until your I94 expires, you can't apply until you receive your EAD.

[Cora5687 0]

Thank you!
Remind me what EAD stands for?

[tamcloud 92]

Employment Authorization Document. Temporary work authorization, while you wait for your Green Card. You can file for it, as well as Advance Parole, at the same time as AOS.

Edited March 24, 2016 by tamcloud

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the forum.

easily accessible at the top of the forum page. In particular, the K1 Visa Flowchart: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

Good luck on your immigration journey.

[TheResistance 6]

So you can apply for the SSN, then marriage, then go back and change name? Gosh, that is a lot of unpaid time off work. Since my fiancee is going to be changing her name, we do that on the marriage certificate first? I assume the 90 day ticker starts when she enters America, aye? So for mine, 90 days starts next Friday night EST and ends July 22? Could we avoid extra paperwork and the unpaid time off, and go to SSA (which over here, is like the DMV) after the marriage and get her new name on? Although I read somewhere that it has to be done within a couple of weeks of the visa expiring, not the 90 day mark. I mean, I need to save for the AOS too, right?

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

So you can apply for the SSN, then marriage, then go back and change name? Gosh, that is a lot of unpaid time off work. Since my fiancee is going to be changing her name, we do that on the marriage certificate first? I assume the 90 day ticker starts when she enters America, aye? So for mine, 90 days starts next Friday night EST and ends July 22? Could we avoid extra paperwork and the unpaid time off, and go to SSA (which over here, is like the DMV) after the marriage and get her new name on? Although I read somewhere that it has to be done within a couple of weeks of the visa expiring, not the 90 day mark. I mean, I need to save for the AOS too, right?

The visa expiration is for entering the US. Once used to enter, it becomes null and void. The I-94 will show your status, and yes, the 90 days start when you enter the US via the K-1 visa.

You need to apply for the SSN using the I-94 up until there is only 2 weeks before it expires. You can try to get it in the married name, but it is advised to apply in maiden name(even if already married), as it can be a hassle when applying in married name, mostly because a lot of SSA workers have no clue what they are doing. Some get lucky and get an informed SSA worker, but many are not lucky. You apply for the EAD/AP and green card in married name and can return using the EAD/AP or green card to change the name over on the SSN to the married name later. Do a search here on VJ. There are plenty of posts about it. You can also read through the SSN forum to find lots of info on this topic.

[Fr8dog 312]

The suggested steps are:

- Get SSN

- Get married

- Get SSN changed in case of name change

- File AOS (include the than free EAD/AP)

- Change SSN upon recieving Green Card (to get the USCIS comment removed)

SSN is most times required for bank accounts, Drivers licenses, leases, rentals. That's why people are urged to get them early.

Edited April 19, 2016 by Fr8dog

[TheResistance 6]

Change the SSN itself?

[Fr8dog 312]

Sorry,

No get SSC changed, the number stays with you for life

[J&Y 39]

We got the SSN in the mail today, and it has "valid for work only with DHS authorization" printed on there, is that fine?

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

We got the SSN in the mail today, and it has "valid for work only with DHS authorization" printed on there, is that fine?

That is what it is supposed to say. The EAD is the DHS authorization.

[TheResistance 6]

So before going to them in the morning, we need this form, https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf, and fill this out https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/consent.html (online only, right?). Do we need both?

I was reading on the PDF this:

"If you are not a U.S. citizen, we must see your current U.S. immigration document(s) and your foreign passport with biographical information or photograph"

The part I am not sure of is what "immigration documents" they also want? Is it just the I94? Is it something I have? What else do we need to prove that we are together in this?

Thanks.

[captmaximus 11]

All you need is the SSN application form (ss-5.pdf) along with the beneficiary's foreign passport and I-94... nothing else.

[J&Y 39]

That is what it is supposed to say. The EAD is the DHS authorization.

Thanks Kay!

So before going to them in the morning, we need this form, https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf, and fill this out https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/consent.html (online only, right?). Do we need both?

I was reading on the PDF this:

"If you are not a U.S. citizen, we must see your current U.S. immigration document(s) and your foreign passport with biographical information or photograph"

The part I am not sure of is what "immigration documents" they also want? Is it just the I94? Is it something I have? What else do we need to prove that we are together in this?

Thanks.

We only brought passport, filled ss-5, and the print out of I-94.