SS# for K1

[GabachaYucateca 0]

I found this on the SSA website and it has me confused about my fiance's (will be husband when he applies) eligibiity for a SS#:

If you do not have permission to work, you may apply for a Social Security number only if:

A federal law requires you to provide your Social Security number to get a particular benefit or service; or

A state or local law requires you to provide your Social Security number to get general assistance benefits that you already have qualified for.

He won't have permission to work until he a) receives EAD or b)has his AOS approved.

So, what gives?

[GabachaYucateca 0]

Yikes! This one was moved fast!

I actually took a moment to contemplate where to post this, and decided against this forum since the SS# question seems to have nothing to do with working nor traveling.

Guess I was wrong!

[Nanusia & Lukaszek 0]

Coming in as a K1 you do have temporary work authorization, that's why you can get the SS# before AOS or EAD.

[raymaga 25]

As long as you wait 2 weeks after your arrival into the U.S. with a K-1 Visa, you can go to the SSA office and apply for a SSN.

I applied for my SSN card 2 days after I got married. The card arrived about a week later.

[GabachaYucateca 0]

Hmm...I'm confused. I thought that temp work authorization was only granted at certain POEs.

raymaga: that's what I've been reading on VJ, that's why I'm so mixed up about what I found on the SSA website.

[Otto 83]

I found this on the SSA website and it has me confused about my fiance's (will be husband when he applies) eligibiity for a SS#:

If you do not have permission to work, you may apply for a Social Security number only if:

A federal law requires you to provide your Social Security number to get a particular benefit or service; or

A state or local law requires you to provide your Social Security number to get general assistance benefits that you already have qualified for.

He won't have permission to work until he a) receives EAD or b)has his AOS approved.

So, what gives?

So what are you asking? (forgive me, I'm slow today)...

[Nanusia & Lukaszek 0]

Just fill out the application, when he arrives, wait 2 weeks and go to the SS office. When you show them the I-94 in his passport, they will know what to do.

[Mags 112]

Yikes! This one was moved fast!

I actually took a moment to contemplate where to post this, and decided against this forum since the SS# question seems to have nothing to do with working nor traveling.

Guess I was wrong!

See the blurb below, this details what goes into this forum:

Working & Travelling prior to getting a Green Card:

If you do not enter on an immigrant visa when you get to the US you will not typically be able to work or leave the US without jeopardizing your immigration status unless you have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or an Advance Parole (AP) from the USCIS. This section also covers getting a Social Security Number (SSN) and is for general discussion on all these topics.

The bolded part explains why it was moved.

[GabachaYucateca 0]

Okay...will try to clarify my confusion (a bit of an oxymoron)...what I'm reading seems contradictory to my addled eyes.

I also found this on the website. Why does it say eligible for employment? I thought that only after applying for EAD and Aos based on our marriage he'd be able to work. So what would be used to prove work eligibility as they state in the required docs?

The K-1 symbol indicates you are the fiancé of a U.S. citizen. As such, you are eligible for a Social Security number and for employment.

To apply for a Social Security number:

Complete an Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5); and

Show us documents proving:

Immigration status;

Work eligibility;

Age; and

Identity.

Maybe I'm putting the cart before the horse...we haven't even been to the consulate yet.

[raymaga 25]

A lot of employees at the SSA offices are not aware of the K-1 SSN rule. You can ask to speak to a supervisor if you have any problems.

As long as your I-94 is still valid for at least 14 days (I believe it's 14 days.... someone correct me here if I'm wrong), you are entitled to a SSN card as a K-1 Visa holder.

Edit: That is not to say that you are work authorized. You will get a SSN card with the notation on it that it is valid only if work authorized. After you receive either EAD or the GC, then you go back to the SSA office to apply to have the notation removed from the card.

Edited May 1, 2007 by raymaga

[GabachaYucateca 0]

Thanks mags...I'm being both spacey and #######-retentive at the same time.

[SoL. 0]

Hola Gabacha Yucateca,

As far as I know, you can go two weeks after his entry to the SS office and apply for the SS#. The only POE I know that gives a temporary EAD is JFK. My fiancé is comming via Chicago and they don't give EAD, so we are going to wait the two weeks for him to be in the system to apply...

Good luck

[archie07 0]

Hmm...I'm confused. I thought that temp work authorization was only granted at certain POEs.

raymaga: that's what I've been reading on VJ, that's why I'm so mixed up about what I found on the SSA website.

Your not the only one confused here. We went to the social security office this past friday. My wife came here on a k3. we brought the passport, I 94, marraige papers, birth certificate and when we tried to apply the woman said her computor won't go past the part where it wants the EAD number or the AOS number. Other people have no problems getting the ssn so we will try another office. I called the lawyer and he said to file for the EAD now, my wife doesnt have to work so I now have to pay more.

[walls1010 3]

Hmm...I'm confused. I thought that temp work authorization was only granted at certain POEs.

raymaga: that's what I've been reading on VJ, that's why I'm so mixed up about what I found on the SSA website.

Your not the only one confused here. We went to the social security office this past friday. My wife came here on a k3. we brought the passport, I 94, marraige papers, birth certificate and when we tried to apply the woman said her computor won't go past the part where it wants the EAD number or the AOS number. Other people have no problems getting the ssn so we will try another office. I called the lawyer and he said to file for the EAD now, my wife doesnt have to work so I now have to pay more.

The SSA will not issue your wife SS# coz' she did not apply EAD, but since she's not in a hurry to work she can still get her SS# by checking the SS application form box to "legal alien not allowed to work" but she can update and change her SS card later on after she get her GC to a unrestricted SS card.

[archie07 0]

Hmm...I'm confused. I thought that temp work authorization was only granted at certain POEs.

raymaga: that's what I've been reading on VJ, that's why I'm so mixed up about what I found on the SSA website.

Your not the only one confused here. We went to the social security office this past friday. My wife came here on a k3. we brought the passport, I 94, marraige papers, birth certificate and when we tried to apply the woman said her computor won't go past the part where it wants the EAD number or the AOS number. Other people have no problems getting the ssn so we will try another office. I called the lawyer and he said to file for the EAD now, my wife doesnt have to work so I now have to pay more.

The SSA will not issue your wife SS# coz' she did not apply EAD, but since she's not in a hurry to work she can still get her SS# by checking the SS application form box to "legal alien not allowed to work" but she can update and change her SS card later on after she get her GC to a unrestricted SS card.

Well, I give up on this SSN. We went to another office today, the form was filled out and I checked the box not allowed to work. Gave the lady her passport with the I- 94 .. Once again the computor would'nt let her issue a number. She said to go to IRS and get a itin number for now. It must be something about the k-3 visa because I see many with a K-1 getting SSN,s. I'm filing for AOS next week so I might as well pay the extra and file the EAD also because I'm out of social security offices here. On a better note my wife was able to get her fishing license at least, twice the cost of a license for a citizen.