K-1 to apply for SSN

[Scandi 4,166]

I had no luck. Will try again tomorrow.

I might actually do what you guys did regarding the form, lacolinab13. That might work. Thanks!

[Georgia16 2,858]

In my opinion, it's legal alien allowed to work (and that's the way we filled my husband's out) - that's why it says "legal alien allowed to work" under K1 in that classification chart on the SS site (the link below). You are allowed to work, just need DHS authorization, and that's why the card will have that line about being valid only with DHS authorization.

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211530

Oh yeah that's true now that I think of it I did the same!

[lacolinab13 86]

I had no luck. Will try again tomorrow.

I might actually do what you guys did regarding the form, lacolinab13. That might work. Thanks!

What do you mean you had no luck? What happened? Did they turn you away?

[Merrytooth 5,748]

This person has no issue applying for SSN today.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/614591-extremely-confused-k1-ssn-questions/

[lacolinab13 86]

We went to SS office last week to apply for my SSN but I was only told that that they can't process my application yet bcoz they need the red card once my EAD is approved.

I would go back and argue with them - K1s absolutely can get SSN before applying for AOS, as long as you have enough time remaining on your I-94, and based on your timeline, you have plenty.

I'm really glad we got my husband's SSN because we needed it to add him to my bank accounts and for him to get a learner's permit (he didn't drive in his country).

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

You are a legal alien allowed to work. Do not mark not allowed on the form.

As a K-1 entrant, you are eligible to get your SSN and you could apply for an EAD right away before AOS. Don't do that though. It is a pointless waste of money, but the fact that you can is why you are a legal alien allowed to work.

~ Moved from General Immigration-Related Discussion to Social Security Numbers - topic about SSN~

[dreamliner1823 0]

I would go back and argue with them - K1s absolutely can get SSN before applying for AOS, as long as you have enough time remaining on your I-94, and based on your timeline, you have plenty.

I'm really glad we got my husband's SSN because we needed it to add him to my bank accounts and for him to get a learner's permit (he didn't drive in his country).

I know and it was so disappointing because i've read that a K1 can get SSN and I was so hopeful that I would get mine too.

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

I would go back and argue with them - K1s absolutely can get SSN before applying for AOS, as long as you have enough time remaining on your I-94, and based on your timeline, you have plenty.

I'm glad someone finally mentioned this, even though OP's I-94 is current I think it's still important to mention so people don't think they can put it off a few months.

As for why OP was denied, probably just someone at the SS office not knowing what they were doing.

When we went for my then-fiances SSN I ended up having to talk to a supervisor and they got things straightened out. The first worker we met with had no idea what he was doing.

He also didn't know that England was part of the United Kingdom, so that gives you an idea of what we were dealing with...

[Nathan&Emily 10]

You are a legal alien allowed to work. Do not mark not allowed on the form.

As a K-1 entrant, you are eligible to get your SSN and you could apply for an EAD right away before AOS. Don't do that though. It is a pointless waste of money, but the fact that you can is why you are a legal alien allowed to work.

~ Moved from General Immigration-Related Discussion to Social Security Numbers - topic about SSN~

This is correct. Legal alien allowed to work. Should be no issue with it.

[Matt&Sophie 8]

I second what everybody else here is saying.

I took my passport, I-94 and birth certificate. The first person we spoke to didn't know what she needed to do because I was, as she put it 'foreign', so passed it along internally to someone who knew the process for K1 visa holders.

Yes it should be legal alien allowed to work, as on a K visa you are legally allowed to work once you have an EAD. So you are able to work, you just have to go through the appropriate channels of application before you can.

I would try again and as Morgan&Michael states, ask to speak to a supervisor if they try to turn you away.

[Ketsuban 1,034]

I'm glad someone finally mentioned this, even though OP's I-94 is current I think it's still important to mention so people don't think they can put it off a few months.

As for why OP was denied, probably just someone at the SS office not knowing what they were doing.

When we went for my then-fiances SSN I ended up having to talk to a supervisor and they got things straightened out. The first worker we met with had no idea what he was doing.

He also didn't know that England was part of the United Kingdom, so that gives you an idea of what we were dealing with...

Oh gosh, the woman I saw at the SSA in November 2014 had such an attitude the moment I gave her my stamped CR-1 visa. She was all like, "What is this, what am I supposed to do with this. Where's your Green Card?". She wouldn't believe me when I said the stamped visa was a Green Card equivalent. Then after much persuasion she looked me up in SAVE and the old "your first and middle name have been combined" problem cropped up and she said she couldn't issue me an SSN until I fix it. Then sent me away with a letter saying it had been issued... then I got it in the mail a couple of days later :S Honestly what bothered me the most was how rude she was. If I was like that in my job I wouldn't have lasted an hour.

I did actually call CBP and they said my name is fine and it's just the way it translates to SSA's computer system. I've had no issue with my name at all with anything I've used my SSN for. Job, loan, lease, yadda yadda..

[Rebecca616 38]

we appreciated that the guys at the SS office actually took their time to figure out how to issue the card and didn't send my husband away because a couple times it seemed as though we were going to have to come back after we got married to show the marriage license but then they'd find another step that would work and luckily nobody else was waiting because I doubt they'd have been so accommodating to us. Hope you get it your next visit. The DMV was more difficult than SS card. We chose to apply for his State ID after getting married and because the I 94 was close to expiring they weren't going to issue it and I showed them our marriage license showing we got married and fulfilled the K-1 and they had to get a supervisor to figure it out. ugh!

[Dutchster 1,107]

I'll do my input here once too, lol. I went four weeks after my arrival to the SSA office with my valid I-94, passport+visa, the 11 page long printed out thing that says we're allowed to and my smart mouth if needed, and the SSN-guide page here on VJ. . We sat down and he asked me right away if I was allowed to work in which I replied to, "Yes, with my EAD card I am." so now my SSN card days "valid for work only with DHS authorization". So mark that check on the form that says "legal alien allowed to work" because you are!

If they turn you down again tomorrow, ask for a supervisor!

Edited October 27, 2016 by stephadams

[Anitafeliz 1,133]

We did my husbands yesterday in rhode island all they asked was for i94 and passport....

[Georgia16 2,858]

I'll do my input here once too, lol. I went four weeks after my arrival to the SSA office with my valid I-94, passport+visa, the 11 page long printed out thing that says we're allowed to and my smart mouth if needed, and the SSN-guide page here on VJ. . We sat down and he asked me right away if I was allowed to work in which I replied to, "Yes, with my EAD card I am." so now my SSN card days "valid for work only with DHS authorization". So mark that check on the form that says "legal alien allowed to work" because you are!

If they turn you down again tomorrow, ask for a supervisor!

You get that on your card no matter what when applying before GC.