What to do when after K-1 Visa arrival?

[John & Rose 7,239]

8 hours ago, Diane and Chris said:

So are you saying that by applying for an EAD, they will send you a SS number with it?  I’m fairly sure that’s not the way it works. 

That is how it works now. No need to visit the SSA office. I’m not sure how it will work but there is a press release on the USCIS site about it and I have links to it here. 

[GLD 2]

Thanks for passing  along -- It does sound like the USCIS and SSA coordinating would be more efficient, but I wonder about the timing. The PR says that "applicants who receive their approved EADs from USCIS should receive their Social Security card from SSA within the following two weeks."

 

But if it typically takes 3-4 months to get an approved EAD, does that mean you wouldn't get your SSN for months as well? That's not very helpful if, by going to SSA, you previously could get a SSN (even if you cannot work with it yet) within a week or two after arrival. Am I missing something here?

[Andrea&Henry 311]

When I arrived on my k1 visa on 2012 I had to wait for my EAD because I didn't want get my ssn under my maiden name. My husband's insurance didn't need my ssn right away, just to see our wedding certificate.

 

1. I mean, besides filling for AoS as soon as you can, is important for you to sit down and review your finances. I'm a mom and I gave birth almost a year and half later and even with insurance, a pregnancy and baby are extremely important. She must be little over 18 weeks and you guys need to find a good OBGYN, a pediatrician and perinatologist. from week 11 to 20, there are many test you need to run to mother and baby (with a perinatologist). Take into consideration that AoS is $1200 something, and adding a wife and a baby to your insurance, means less money. Everything is doable if you plan ahead.
2. She also (I guess) needs a car for transportation especially that after week 27, her obgyn appointments will be very frequent.
3. I didn't notice your fiance's nationality but being pregnant and away from your family in a new country is tough...you become extremely homesick and sensitive so try to buy beforehand, foods, desserts or typical stuff of her country
4. Try to involve your friends and family in the process so she can start cultivating a good relationship...if you attend church, a gym, a book club etc make sure to include her

 

 

 

[geowrian 22,338]

2 hours ago, GLD said:

Thanks for passing  along -- It does sound like the USCIS and SSA coordinating would be more efficient, but I wonder about the timing. The PR says that "applicants who receive their approved EADs from USCIS should receive their Social Security card from SSA within the following two weeks."

 

But if it typically takes 3-4 months to get an approved EAD, does that mean you wouldn't get your SSN for months as well? That's not very helpful if, by going to SSA, you previously could get a SSN (even if you cannot work with it yet) within a week or two after arrival. Am I missing something here?

True....they will apply for the SSN on your behalf after the EAD is approved. They cannot apply for one beforehand because they don't know if you qualify for the EAD yet, and your legal status may not allow one at the time (as is the case with virtually all K-1 filers...their status would have expired by the time they process it).

 

I guess the advantages are:

1) No need to go to the SSA.

2) No need to present the EAD to the SSA then wait 1-2 weeks to get the card in the mail.

3) Card will be in the name as stated on the EAD (i.e. married name if you want).

 

But yes, you can get one sooner on a K-1. Not every EAD applicant can do so (i.e. if adjusting from a tourist visa).

Edited October 6, 2017 by geowrian

[John & Rose 7,239]

duplicate info...

Edited October 6, 2017 by John & Rose

[Ksenia_O 696]

17 hours ago, geowrian said:

Yup...SSA is federal and should be consistent, but it's not. I've seen so many different experiences just from different offices even within the same state. DMVs follow state laws, but even different centers don't follow the same rules there.

 

At my local DMV, they had no issue with the K-1 aspect, but need the Social Security card in the married name and said they won't issue one in her maiden name, and to go update it with the SSA first. Fun times.

It is so different from State to State!!! I got my first Driver License under my maiden name - according to my SS card, which was issued (first) under my maiden name... My name matched on all my documents - passport, I-94, SS, K-1 ,  so I didn't have any problem with getting DL#1. 

 

But yes, it was issued only  till my I-94 expiration date. When I got my EAD (under married name) and had my last name changed on my SS card - DL#2 was issued under married name....

Then there  were DL#3, DL# 4.. But this is another story of being  "lawfully present in the US, but with no actual status" while waiting for your AOS to be adjusted

[Sarah&Facundo 599]

My fiance just got his Appointment date yesterday so now I am trying to look ahead! Why do you need to wait 2 weeks to apply for a SSN? Also, why does having a SSN matter if they can't work yet? What benefit does it hold? Also, is it better to get the SSN before or after the wedding?

[GLD 2]

1 minute ago, Sarah&Facundo said:

My fiance just got his Appointment date yesterday so now I am trying to look ahead! Why do you need to wait 2 weeks to apply for a SSN? Also, why does having a SSN matter if they can't work yet? What benefit does it hold? Also, is it better to get the SSN before or after the wedding?

Others have corrected my initial premise that you have to wait 2 weeks after arrival to apply for a SSN — I had read that elsewhere on multiple sites, but it seems like the processing after POE has sped up quite a bit with digitization. Some have said they've only waited a few days after arriving to apply.

 

Based on earlier responses. Even though you cannot work having a SSN can be useful if you want to open a bank account or get a driver's license in the months before the EAD is approved. It can also be useful if you want to add your spouse to your health insurance. I guess the usefulness of it pre-EAD is dependent on your personal situation, though.

 

 

 

[geowrian 22,338]

8 minutes ago, Sarah&Facundo said:

Why do you need to wait 2 weeks to apply for a SSN? Also, why does having a SSN matter if they can't work yet? What benefit does it hold? Also, is it better to get the SSN before or after the wedding?

You likely don't. It used to take up to 2 weeks for the SAVE system to be updated with an alien's information. Applying before it was in SAVE meant they had to do manual verification, which could take 6+ weeks. Nowadays, the info appears in SAVE much sooner...Likely within 24 hours (if not immediately).

 

An SSN can be used for other purposes...it's an important number. Some banks or credit cards accounts may ask for it. Insurance companies may ask for it. Note that this does NOT mean it's required...just that it's easier to get them IMHO (no going back and forth with people to show that it's not required). An SSN may be required for a driver's license as well (this varies by state - I know PA does).

 

My wife got her SSN before the wedding. Some people have had issues getting one after the wedding if there was a name change.

Edited October 6, 2017 by geowrian

[Sarah&Facundo 599]

1 minute ago, GLD said:

Others have corrected my initial premise that you have to wait 2 weeks after arrival to apply for a SSN — I had read that elsewhere on multiple sites, but it seems like the processing after POE has sped up quite a bit with digitization. Some have said they've only waited a few days after arriving to apply.

 

Based on earlier responses. Even though you cannot work having a SSN can be useful if you want to open a bank account or get a driver's license in the months before the EAD is approved. It can also be useful if you want to add your spouse to your health insurance. I guess the usefulness of it pre-EAD is dependent on your personal situation, though.

 

 

 

Oh okay that makes sense! So now they will pretty much wait until they apply for the EAD card to get it automatically? I was going to add him to my credit card and bank account so can I still have him go get one from the SSA before he receives his EAD card? Also, since my fiance is a man he will of course, not be changing his name which may make things a bit easier!

[Ksenia_O 696]

1 hour ago, Sarah&Facundo said:

Oh okay that makes sense! So now they will pretty much wait until they apply for the EAD card to get it automatically? I was going to add him to my credit card and bank account so can I still have him go get one from the SSA before he receives his EAD card? Also, since my fiance is a man he will of course, not be changing his name which may make things a bit easier!

If his I-94 is not expired yet or at least 14 days left til its expiration date - . then yes, he can still apply for his SS#.

 

I'd suggest... he shouldn't have his marriage license with him - some SS Offices get confused with your status  when they see ML... For some reason they believe you are not K1 anymore, so not eligible for a SS# until  you have your EAD 

So have him just go , as a K-1 visa holder, with his passport and I-94 (again - it should't be expired)

 

Good luck!!! 

[geowrian 22,338]

On 10/5/2017 at 1:05 PM, GLD said:

geowrian — would be interested to know how your next attempt with the NOA1 goes! 

(And small world! I went to school in Wilkes-Barre. Hello back from the other side of Blue Mountain!)

 Victory! They refused to issue the card in the new name with only the I-94, passport, and marriage certificate. But when asked for the EAD, we gave the lady the NOA1s. I also had about 25 pages of SSA policy manuals ready to go. It took her a while (no hassles with us...just lots of typing and searching), but they finally got it through in the married name.