Proper steps after arriving in US on K1

[beloved_dingo 1,976]

See screenshot from the SSA website.

[The_Empyrean 733]

We went with:
1. Arrive

2. Apply for social.
3. Get married.

4. Wait for social card to arrive.

5. Go back and change name

6. File AoS, EAD, AP.

Nobody gave us a hard time to change the name with marriage cert. Also, DHS will check your name on databases upon issuing AP, and EAD, so less likely to receive the RFE "Please send us a proof of name change like marriage certificate" as some people did get it recently.

Also in my mind, that's what that "Other names used" are for when filing any petition, so they can cross check your data with DHS, SSecurity and other needed agencies. They aren't sure what did you choose as "legal name" if you don't update it on Social Security as they see there the old name uncorrected, and that's where all problems arise. There they see an old last name, you file with new name, passport still has old name along with i-94.

When you change name in social security and you have "other names used" they can double check if you are indeed the same person, for example first application of Social will have "first name, middle name and maiden" (same as in other names used) and then second to confirm the newly taken last name which you've put as your current name on application. So accordingly they proceed with this. 

That's just my speculation as im not working for USCIS, nor im related to anyone. By generally thinking, that's they only way it makes sense to have less issues. 

[adamj7 43]

12 hours ago, beloved_dingo said:

K1 visa holders are Legal Aliens Allowed to Work. You just have to have work authorization first. That is why K1s are allowed to get SSNs before adjusting status.

You DON'T have to have authorization before you get the SSN - I applied for mine the week before we got married and about 3/4 weeks before I applied for my AOS, EAD and AP. 

 

I got the SSN card after 2 weeks and it states that it is not valid for work without my EAD card but at least I have a SSN number for banking etc.

[beloved_dingo 1,976]

10 minutes ago, adamj7 said:

You DON'T have to have authorization before you get the SSN - I applied for mine the week before we got married and about 3/4 weeks before I applied for my AOS, EAD and AP. 

 

I got the SSN card after 2 weeks and it states that it is not valid for work without my EAD card but at least I have a SSN number for banking etc.

You misunderstood my post. I was not saying you have to have authorization to get an SSN... 

 

I was saying you have to have authorization to WORK, but that doesn't interfere with the fact K1s can get an SSN. Hence why I posted the screenshot from the SSA website.

[adamj7 43]

2 minutes ago, beloved_dingo said:

You misunderstood my post. I was not saying you have to have authorization to get an SSN... 

 

I was saying you have to have authorization to WORK, but that doesn't interfere with the fact K1s can get an SSN. Hence why I posted the screenshot from the SSA website.

Got it! I see what you meant now! thanks for clarification!

[Thunderbolt 172]

Hello.

 

We went this morning to SSA to apply for her number. First, waited 1 hour in blistering cold outside the building. Then waited 1 hour inside to get queue number, then 30 minutes before our number was called. Walked to the desk and we were informed that there is NEW rule of 21 days!

So apparently, person arriving in US has to be here for minimum 21 days including weekends before he/she can apply for SSN.

The guy who was looking at our application had this rule printed out and on the side wall of his cubicle, with 21 days word highlighted in yellow.

Since my fiance arrived on February 3rd, we have to wait until next week before we can go back and apply.

I don't understand what difference does it makes 2 weeks or 3 weeks. Her I-94 information is already available on DHS website. Just wasted half a day.

The good thing is, we didn't have to have any documents except her passport and K-1 visa in it.

[beloved_dingo 1,976]

3 hours ago, Thunderbolt said:

Hello.

 

We went this morning to SSA to apply for her number. First, waited 1 hour in blistering cold outside the building. Then waited 1 hour inside to get queue number, then 30 minutes before our number was called. Walked to the desk and we were informed that there is NEW rule of 21 days!

So apparently, person arriving in US has to be here for minimum 21 days including weekends before he/she can apply for SSN.

The guy who was looking at our application had this rule printed out and on the side wall of his cubicle, with 21 days word highlighted in yellow.

Since my fiance arrived on February 3rd, we have to wait until next week before we can go back and apply.

I don't understand what difference does it makes 2 weeks or 3 weeks. Her I-94 information is already available on DHS website. Just wasted half a day.

The good thing is, we didn't have to have any documents except her passport and K-1 visa in it.

I find it interesting that this employee told you there was a "new" rule about waiting 21 days, when there's a thread here on VJ where someone was told the same thing in 2014 (despite dozens upon dozens of people successfully applying for their SSN without waiting). 

 

After doing some googling, I couldn't find anything about a new policy either. In fact, the only relevant information I found was that you are NOT required to wait before applying for an SSN (there used to be a 10-day hold after arrival in the U.S. before you could apply). 

 

Makes me wonder if a different employee would have told you something else. I'm going to call my local SSA office and see what they say. Seems a bit restrictive to say you have to wait 21 days but you also can't have less than 14 days left on your I-94.

Edited February 19, 2019 by beloved_dingo

[Thunderbolt 172]

The sad part is, that after 25 days from arrival we went back to the same SSA, had the same employee and that's all she wrote...

They can't find her arrival record on the DHS site. How it is possible if after my fiance being in US for under 2 weeks, I was able to go to the I-94 DHS web site and pull up all the information?

Now I don't know what to do. Just fed up with wasting 3 hours each time we go to the SSA.

[MLR14 37]

41 minutes ago, Thunderbolt said:

The sad part is, that after 25 days from arrival we went back to the same SSA, had the same employee and that's all she wrote...

They can't find her arrival record on the DHS site. How it is possible if after my fiance being in US for under 2 weeks, I was able to go to the I-94 DHS web site and pull up all the information?

Now I don't know what to do. Just fed up with wasting 3 hours each time we go to the SSA.

I'd try a different office if that's an option for you! Also print off the I-94 and take it with you if you aren't doing so already!

 

[Thunderbolt 172]

I have the I-94 form printed out with me. It's from the same website that SSA person was trying to access. He showed me the screen. I think he's misspelling some information.

Anyway. I'm tired of that place, I'll go again Monday to another office.

Thanks

[Thunderbolt 172]

Just quick update. Last week we went to different office. After waiting 30 minutes in line it was our turn. The guy was very helpful and he did everything in 5 minutes.

He said that we should get the card in the mail in the next 2 to 4 weeks. Pleasant experience, after two dreadful visits to another office.

Next step is to get married. Already got the license, now have to pick the day.

[Thunderbolt 172]

On 2/19/2019 at 7:44 AM, PaulMac said:

We went with:
1. Arrive

2. Apply for social.
3. Get married.

4. Wait for social card to arrive.

5. Go back and change name

6. File AoS, EAD, AP.
 

We've done 1, 2 and 3

4 - SS card should arrive in the next week.

5 - Planning on changing the name early next week.

 

How much time do we have to do point 6? Her K-1 visa in the passport is about to expire beginning of May. Do I need to do AoS before the visa expires?

 

Thank you

[The_Empyrean 733]

5 minutes ago, Thunderbolt said:

We've done 1, 2 and 3

4 - SS card should arrive in the next week.

5 - Planning on changing the name early next week.

 

How much time do we have to do point 6? Her K-1 visa in the passport is about to expire beginning of May. Do I need to do AoS before the visa expires?

 

Thank you

Won’t hurt to file after visa expires, but rather get it done before. You should get the card soon.  You don’t need ssn to file AOS. 

[Thunderbolt 172]

Thank you. In few words, I have to file these forms for her soon right?

 

    I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
    I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary
    G-325A, Biographic Information: To provide biographic information on an alien.
    I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act

[payxibka 10,045]

2 minutes ago, Thunderbolt said:

Thank you. In few words, I have to file these forms for her soon right?

 

    I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
    I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary
    G-325A, Biographic Information: To provide biographic information on an alien.
    I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act

Nope    if she arrives on a k1 then it is i485/i131/i765/i864.  You got some learning to do 

Edited April 8, 2019 by payxibka