Social Security # and working permit

[D and L 1]

Hi Guys,

 

My wife just entered into the US for a week and we have not file for the AOS yet.  Can you guys let me know if she could and where to get her social security # and where to get her permit to work before we completed or approved for the AOS?  

 

Please help!!

[Roel 7,192]

For ssn you just go to your local ssn office. Use Google. 

 

And there is no work permit like you think. When preparing AOS packet you need to include application for work and travel permits. Those will arrive about 3 to 4 months after you send out AOS. It's one big packet. 

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

Like above, regardless if from K-1 visa or AOS from other status, you apply for AOS I-485 and with that you submit for EAD (work permit) and AP (advanced parole), those two are free with the I-485. Takes about 3-4 months to receive combo EAP/AP card. then 12-14 months for green card if no RFE's or any other issues.

[D and L 1]

1 minute ago, Ben&Zian said:

Like above, regardless if from K-1 visa or AOS from other status, you apply for AOS I-485 and with that you submit for EAD (work permit) and AP (advanced parole), those two are free with the I-485. Takes about 3-4 months to receive combo EAP/AP card. then 12-14 months for green card if no RFE's or any other issues.

I didn't realize that the AOS status would actually take that to get approved and get a green card.  Do they require another interview before giving you a green card or is it just formality and getting all necessary paperwork before providing the green card?

[Crazy Cat 41,884]

27 minutes ago, D and L said:

Hi Guys,

 

My wife just entered into the US for a week and we have not file for the AOS yet.  Can you guys let me know if she could and where to get her social security # and where to get her permit to work before we completed or approved for the AOS?  

 

Please help!!

Here is the VJ guide to getting a SSN:  http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

 

:: For K1 Visa Holders ::

As a K-1 Visa Holder you are eligible to receive a SSN upon producing a valid I-94 (unexpired). Do
not wait until you only have a few weeks left until your I-94 expires to file for a SSN. Many SSA
offices will not allow you to file for a SSN if your I-94 is about to expire (generally 14 days prior
to the expiration on your I-94). On the other hand, you should also not file for a SSN too soon either.
You should wait 2 weeks after you arrived in the US before applying for a SSN. If you go too soon your
record of arrival will not be in the SAVE-ASVI system yet, and it will require manual verification from the
USCIS. As this will add weeks to the period it takes to process the SSN, it is advisable to attempt to wait the two weeks to be safe. If you have waited the 2 weeks and they tell you they can not verify you arrival record via the SAVE database, you may allow them to to process it (but remember the potential delay for manual verifications). You can ask if they will check the computer again for you in a few days or return personally to have them look again -- thus eliminating the manual verification. The manual verification will require the SSA office to file a G-845 with the USCIS.

To apply for a SSN you will need to go to your local SSA office and bring the documents below. These
documents are proof of your eligibility to file for a SSN:
 

1.	The SS-5 form you downloaded and filled out (they have some at the office if you forget).
2.	your Passport (with the K-1 Visa in it)
3.	your valid I-94: Electronic I-94 Copy; or (for older entries) an original (and bring a front/backside copy) of a valid paper I-94
4.	another form of valid ID (as defined in the SS-5 instructions)
5.	You should also bring the document RM 10211.530 that you printed out

Make sure to bring all the documents above because some offices have staff that are not aware
that a K-1 Visa Holder is eligible to file for a SSN. A friendly reminder is a nice thing to have -- if not
you could be turned away incorrectly.

Once you have successfully applied for your SSN, the SSN card will come in the mail in about 2 weeks. You can check on the status of the SSN application and/or often get the SSN in advance by returning in person (try calling) to the SSA office. If you need your SSN before it arrives in the mail you may ask them for an SSA-7028, Notice to Third Party of Social Security Number Assignments, to be sent to your employer or other interested third party once a SSN has been assigned. Your card, when you receive it, will be marked with the words "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH INS AUTHORIZATION" indicating to an employer that you must also have an unexpired EAD to be eligible to work.

Edited March 23, 2018 by missileman

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

13 minutes ago, D and L said:

I didn't realize that the AOS status would actually take that to get approved and get a green card.  Do they require another interview before giving you a green card or is it just formality and getting all necessary paperwork before providing the green card?

 

It's a lengthy process. Whether you get an interview or not is 50/50 really. We didn't, a lot don't, but a lot do. 

[Roel 7,192]

It's going to be over a year before she'll have a green card. Right now aos takes about 12 to 14 months. She might or might not have an interview. It's not a formality. They do background checks, make sure your marriage is legit, etc. 

 

Of course she can't work or travel before she gets her ead and ap. 

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

1 hour ago, missileman said:

Here is the VJ guide to getting a SSN:  http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

 

:: For K1 Visa Holders ::

As a K-1 Visa Holder you are eligible to receive a SSN upon producing a valid I-94 (unexpired). Do
not wait until you only have a few weeks left until your I-94 expires to file for a SSN. Many SSA
offices will not allow you to file for a SSN if your I-94 is about to expire (generally 14 days prior
to the expiration on your I-94). On the other hand, you should also not file for a SSN too soon either.
You should wait 2 weeks after you arrived in the US before applying for a SSN. If you go too soon your
record of arrival will not be in the SAVE-ASVI system yet, and it will require manual verification from the
USCIS. As this will add weeks to the period it takes to process the SSN, it is advisable to attempt to wait the two weeks to be safe. If you have waited the 2 weeks and they tell you they can not verify you arrival record via the SAVE database, you may allow them to to process it (but remember the potential delay for manual verifications). You can ask if they will check the computer again for you in a few days or return personally to have them look again -- thus eliminating the manual verification. The manual verification will require the SSA office to file a G-845 with the USCIS.

To apply for a SSN you will need to go to your local SSA office and bring the documents below. These
documents are proof of your eligibility to file for a SSN:
 

1.	The SS-5 form you downloaded and filled out (they have some at the office if you forget).
2.	your Passport (with the K-1 Visa in it)
3.	your valid I-94: Electronic I-94 Copy; or (for older entries) an original (and bring a front/backside copy) of a valid paper I-94
4.	another form of valid ID (as defined in the SS-5 instructions)
5.	You should also bring the document RM 10211.530 that you printed out

Make sure to bring all the documents above because some offices have staff that are not aware
that a K-1 Visa Holder is eligible to file for a SSN. A friendly reminder is a nice thing to have -- if not
you could be turned away incorrectly.

Once you have successfully applied for your SSN, the SSN card will come in the mail in about 2 weeks. You can check on the status of the SSN application and/or often get the SSN in advance by returning in person (try calling) to the SSA office. If you need your SSN before it arrives in the mail you may ask them for an SSA-7028, Notice to Third Party of Social Security Number Assignments, to be sent to your employer or other interested third party once a SSN has been assigned. Your card, when you receive it, will be marked with the words "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH INS AUTHORIZATION" indicating to an employer that you must also have an unexpired EAD to be eligible to work.

also need that marriage certificate

[Sunnyland 639]

OP< When your spouse do the AOS , have her to apply for the EAD  I-765 (employment authorization document) and the I-131 (Advance Parole or Travel document).  You mentioned your wife just entered US a week ago so I assume you just got married within her first week here, right? 

Start gathering all the documents needed and fill out the forms for AOS. Use the guide content available in this website that is so useful and did saved us many headaches.

The sooner you guys apply, the sooner (hopefully) she will receive her employment authorization to work. it's important she does NOT work before receiving her EAD. Or travel abroad before her AP.

[Highmystic 234]

4 hours ago, D and L said:

Hi Guys,

 

My wife just entered into the US for a week and we have not file for the AOS yet.  Can you guys let me know if she could and where to get her social security # and where to get her permit to work before we completed or approved for the AOS?  

 

Please help!!

Yes, just download and fill out the form in advance before you go, it will speed things up!    The card will most likely state on it "number for work only, when approved be DHS" or something like that.  The form will ask for her name, and what name she wants on the card.  If she puts her married name, but has NO US ID with her married name on it, it is difficult to get a joint bank account.  Some do some don't.  My wife had to use her maiden name to get on the bank account as well as getting the debit card for the bank.  Once she has her GC she can change it all over on everything.  She was not even able to get a state issued ID card in AZ due to the SS in her married name and her passport in her maiden name.

 

[iwir 337]

3 hours ago, adil-rafa said:

also need that marriage certificate

Can we apply SSN before the wedding? The instruction from VJ, we should apply before I-94 expires and we can do it within two weeks after POE

[Crazy Cat 41,884]

4 minutes ago, iwir said:

Can we apply SSN before the wedding? The instruction from VJ, we should apply before I-94 expires and we can do it within two weeks after POE

It says to wait for 2 weeks after POE.

[iwir 337]

1 minute ago, missileman said:

It says to wait for 2 weeks after POE.

That's what I heard too. So is applying SSN without marriage certificate possible? Because we might still be preparing our wedding and then we can change the marital status after that?

[geowrian 22,337]

9 minutes ago, iwir said:

That's what I heard too. So is applying SSN without marriage certificate possible? Because we might still be preparing our wedding and then we can change the marital status after that?

Yes, you can apply anytime beforehand so long as you are in the SAVE system and have at least 14 days of legal status remaining. Most people should show up in SAVE within 24 hours nowadays...2 weeks was more common when they had paper I-94s and it had to be typed into a system, by hand afterwards.

[payxibka 10,045]

24 minutes ago, iwir said:

That's what I heard too. So is applying SSN without marriage certificate possible? Because we might still be preparing our wedding and then we can change the marital status after that?

Marriage certificate is not a requirement of the SSN.  You will need to go in and change your SSN card once you get EAD or greencard