Applying for ssn for a K1 beneficiary.

[MelandA 8]

Hello everyone, 

I just need clarification on the process of applying for an ssn number. Do we have to wait to get married before applying or my fiance can apply right away. He just entered the US 2 days ago. Also can we apply online or go to the ssn office to do so. Thank you.

[Khallaf 650]

Just now, MelandA said:

Hello everyone, 

I just need clarification on the process of applying for an ssn number. Do we have to wait to get married before applying or my fiance can apply right away. He just entered the US 2 days ago. Also can we apply online or go to the ssn office to do so. Thank you.

I would recommend you do it right away.

 

You will need to go to your local SS office.

[Crazy Cat 42,032]

This is a good guide.  Disregard the "wait until 2 weeks" part.......

[geowrian 22,338]

Isn't the issuance of an SSN unavailable due to the shutdown?

[payxibka 10,047]

Just now, geowrian said:

Isn't the issuance of an SSN unavailable due to the shutdown?

SSA reached a full year funding agreement back in September,  

[MissEclair 16]

42 minutes ago, missileman said:

This is a good guide.  Disregard the "wait until 2 weeks" part.......

Did the 2-week wait change? I thought it was necessary to make sure all the information was in the systems from entry.

[geowrian 22,338]

Just now, MissEclair said:

Did the 2-week wait change? I thought it was necessary to make sure all the information was in the systems from entry.

Yes. Data is transferred to the SAVE system almost instantly nowadays. I still say wait a couple days just in case, but most people should show up within 24 hours.

[payxibka 10,047]

Just now, MissEclair said:

Did the 2-week wait change? I thought it was necessary to make sure all the information was in the systems from entry.

It's now electronic versus a paper based system

[MelandA 8]

Thank you all so much. How do I get a copy of the 194 form?

[geowrian 22,338]

2 minutes ago, MelandA said:

Thank you all so much. How do I get a copy of the 194 form?

You can pull your I-94 from here: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/

[payxibka 10,047]

2 minutes ago, MelandA said:

Thank you all so much. How do I get a copy of the 194 form?

Online 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

1 hour ago, MelandA said:

Hello everyone, 

I just need clarification on the process of applying for an ssn number. Do we have to wait to get married before applying or my fiance can apply right away. He just entered the US 2 days ago. Also can we apply online or go to the ssn office to do so. Thank you.

This is what works but you have to have all your "ducks" in a row including the SS document RM10211.530 to use in the event that the SS agent is unfamiliar with the regulations that permit you to have a SSN before your AOS and EAD are adjudicated.

 

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 (Social Security Administration) 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 1 week after arriving in the US till you are in the SAVE database that you can go the next business day. If you go too soon your record of arrival will not be in the SAVE-ASVI system yet (what is SAVE), 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 cannot verify your arrival record via the SAVE database, then personally return on another day to have them search again -- thus eliminating the manual verification (you don't want to do the manual verification as it adds so much more time to the process).

 

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:

 

The SS-5 form  download and complete the application (they have some at the office if you forget).

Your Passport (with the K-1 Visa attached)

Your valid I-94

Another form of valid ID (birth certificate will do nicely)

You should also print and bring the document RM 10211.530 , in the event that the agent is not knowledgeable that K-1/K-2 are eligible to receive a SSN.

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

 

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.

 

K2 visa holders must first have a work permit (EAD) to get a social security number.

 

 

After marriage

Carry your marriage certificate to the social security office to get the social security card in the new name. If you applied for a social security number before marriage, you can go back to the social security office after marriage and get your name changed on your social security card.

 

The social security card will be marked “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH USCIS AUTHORIZATION”.  That means, you need to get your EAD first before you can actually work.  Hopefully, when you submitted your AOS you included the EAD. If not you will now need to submit the paperwork for an EAD prior to working.

[MelandA 8]

You guys are amazing. I dont know what I would have done without Visa journey. Thank you all so much.

[Ryan H 3,819]

Moved from K1 Progress Reports to Social Security Numbers forum.

[lightstream 7]

On 1/3/2019 at 10:21 AM, Khallaf said:

I would recommend you do it right away.

 

You will need to go to your local SS office.

 

On 1/3/2019 at 11:14 AM, geowrian said:

Yes. Data is transferred to the SAVE system almost instantly nowadays. I still say wait a couple days just in case, but most people should show up within 24 hours.

There's a lot of people that are recommending K1 applicants can go right away to apply for SSN after entry. I tried this and it does not work! Our application needs to go through manual verification now which takes an additional 4-6 weeks.

 

Also someone else wrote that you basically have an option to see if you are in the system while you are applying at the office. This is also not correct. They only knew my fiance was not in the system after she submitted our application and she said it is too late to reverse it. It's possible that maybe the officer we had didn't know what she was doing but given how many of these SSN offices have very differing experiences, I don't think it's worth the risk. Just wait the recommended 2 weeks before applying for SSN.

Edited May 30, 2019 by lightstream