Proper steps after arriving in US on K1

[Thunderbolt 172]

Thank you All for your help. All forms were sent to Lockbox in Chicago.

Now my wife is worrying that her K-1 visa expires May 5th. Is there any way to prove her legal status in US while the proceedings are being worked on?

[Lil bear 4,201]

4 minutes ago, Thunderbolt said:

Thank you All for your help. All forms were sent to Lockbox in Chicago.

Now my wife is worrying that her K-1 visa expires May 5th. Is there any way to prove her legal status in US while the proceedings are being worked on?

Once you receive back the NOA   i 797 C ...  indicating they have received your paperwork , the I 797c serves as evidence of legal stay for the duration until the application is adjudicated. The travel and employment cards should come in  5-6 months .. and are also evidence of legal stay. 

 

[Thunderbolt 172]

Thank you

[Thunderbolt 172]

I've got text messages that our papers were received by USCIS. They gave us two reference numbers. Is one number for green card and second one for employment authorization?

Thanks

[Joyoussinger 1,425]

On 1/4/2019 at 11:33 AM, missileman said:

Read this for K-1: https://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.

We did all of this the day after my fiance (now husband!!!) arrived and had no problems at all. His card arrived within the two weeks they promised. 

[Nashvan 133]

On 5/15/2019 at 7:30 AM, Thunderbolt said:

I've got text messages that our papers were received by USCIS. They gave us two reference numbers. Is one number for green card and second one for employment authorization?

Thanks

You can enter the numbers on this site and it will tell you which application it corresponds to: https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do

[Thunderbolt 172]

We've got 2 letters in mail I-797C. One for work authorization and one for green card. Then 2 weeks after submitting AOS papers we've got letter with appointment for fingerprinting (completed last Monday).

Friday we went to local DMV to get her ID. After 3 hours wait our number was called. We were told that main office in Richmond VA needs to approve our documents before they can issue ID.

After 45 minutes I've got email from DMV Richmond that our paperwork was approved and we have 30 days to submit the form for the ID. Went back immediately to the DMV and the same lady took us without any wait. She put everything into her system and then she said that she can't do ID because her name doesn't match on SS card(!!!!!!!!!). We were told to go to SSA and change the name on the card before we can come back for her ID.

Monday morning we went to SSA and waited in line 2 hours. When it was our turn they've told us that they can't change her name on her SS because her K-1 visa is expired(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). The guy said that when she gets her work authorization papers or green card then we can come back and change her name!

I am so sick and tired of this bureaucracy. Even in Saudi Arabia you can get everything done in 1-2 days.