SSN - can I apply right when I get to U.S?

[Annikena 6]

Hi everyone!

I know this has been asked a million times, but I still cant seem to understand - since many are saying different things. I just got my visa approved and received it this week. Yaay! I will be moving to Los Angeles in June, and was wondering if I can go straight away to apply for SSN, like the day after I arrive? Some people say that is ok, others say you have to wait two weeks. I just wanted to know if anyone had any experiences regarding this. Thank you all!

[Crazy Cat 41,887]

You do not have to wait 2 weeks........I would go a couple days after arriving.

[CEE53147 559]

What is a couple of days in your immigration journey?  Take some time to unpack, meet your neighbors (get their phone numbers!), have a special dinner, take a bubble bath, go to the zoo, ...  The SSN will get done soon enough.

[Jenna Ting 27]

6 hours ago, Annikena said:

Hi everyone!

I know this has been asked a million times, but I still cant seem to understand - since many are saying different things. I just got my visa approved and received it this week. Yaay! I will be moving to Los Angeles in June, and was wondering if I can go straight away to apply for SSN, like the day after I arrive? Some people say that is ok, others say you have to wait two weeks. I just wanted to know if anyone had any experiences regarding this. Thank you all!

You'll need your valid i94,usually you can get it updated 1 week after you arrive in the USA. Not sure if you'll get married soon or not,if you'd change your name after the wedding ,then you need to wait till you've gotten the Marriage record .It's convenient to go on the website of your local social security office ,fill out the form, print it out ,bring it with your valid i94 , passport ,marriage certificate then it'll be done soon.Your social security number card will be mailed to you in 2 to 4 weeks. 

[Annikena 6]

23 minutes ago, CEE53147 said:

What is a couple of days in your immigration journey?  Take some time to unpack, meet your neighbors (get their phone numbers!), have a special dinner, take a bubble bath, go to the zoo, ...  The SSN will get done soon enough.

Either answer the question I asked or dont say anything at all. Im pretty sure I will be able to do more than one thing in a day

[payxibka 10,045]

1 minute ago, Jenna Ting said:

You'll need your valid i94,usually you can get it updated 1 week after you arrive in the USA. Not sure if you'll get married soon or not,if you'd change your name after the wedding ,then you need to wait till you've gotten the Marriage record .It's convenient to go on the website of your local social security office ,fill out the form, print it out ,bring it with your valid i94 , passport ,marriage certificate then it'll be done soon.Your social security number card will be mailed to you in 2 to 4 weeks. 

I would not wait to apply for ssn with a name other than the name the uscis has.  Far to many people have had issues. 

[Annikena 6]

3 minutes ago, Jenna Ting said:

You'll need your valid i94,usually you can get it updated 1 week after you arrive in the USA. Not sure if you'll get married soon or not,if you'd change your name after the wedding ,then you need to wait till you've gotten the Marriage record .It's convenient to go on the website of your local social security office ,fill out the form, print it out ,bring it with your valid i94 , passport ,marriage certificate then it'll be done soon.Your social security number card will be mailed to you in 2 to 4 weeks. 

Ok, thank you so much for your reply  

[Juniper 62]

56 minutes ago, CEE53147 said:

What is a couple of days in your immigration journey?  Take some time to unpack, meet your neighbors (get their phone numbers!), have a special dinner, take a bubble bath, go to the zoo, ...  The SSN will get done soon enough.

 

32 minutes ago, Annikena said:

Either answer the question I asked or dont say anything at all. Im pretty sure I will be able to do more than one thing in a day

 

You did not ask a question regarding what I am writing about next. The members response to you is probably with the following spirit I can relate to after going through the K-visa process.

 

With a K-visa, yes you can get Social Security card relatively quickly, however,  since you are probably a very active person, you are probably not going to like the following aspects of the K-visa path. 

 

You won't be able to get a State ID/Driver's License and/or work legally until 3-4 months after your I-485 gets filed with work document requested, which is filed after you get married. 

 

I went through this very difficult time and it really can test one's patience when I have been driving all of my adult life.  Imagine ... you want to plan for a wedding and you can't drive legally.  So I used Uber/Lyft a lot and did a lot of things like a tourist and took English classes ... free ones for immigrants at a local college and met a lot of friends that way.

 

Congratulations on your visa and hang in there with the K-visa difficulties to having a normal life until after you get your work document.

Edited April 7, 2019 by Juniper

[payxibka 10,045]

34 minutes ago, Annikena said:

Either answer the question I asked or dont say anything at all. 

Be careful not to violate the site TOS

[Annikena 6]

2 minutes ago, Juniper said:

 

 

You did not ask a question regarding what I am writing about next. The members response to you is probably with the following spirit I can relate to after going through the K-visa process.

 

With a K-visa, yes you can get Social Security card relatively quickly, however,  since you are probably a very active person, you are probably not going to like the following aspects of the K-visa path. 

 

You won't be able to get a State ID/Driver's License and/or work legally until 3-4 months after your I-485 gets filed with work document requested, which is filed after you get married. 

 

I went through this very difficult time and it really can test one's patience when I have been driving all of my adult life.  Imagine ... you want to plan for a wedding and you can't drive legally.  So I used Uber/Lyft a lot and did a lot of things like a tourist and took English classes ... free ones for immigrants at a local college and met a lot of friends that way.

 

Congratulations on your visa and hang in there with the K-visa difficulties to having a normal life until after you get your work document.

I am well aware of all of this. I wrote this post asking about SSN. Thank you for taking the time to write tho. 

[Annikena 6]

1 minute ago, payxibka said:

Be careful not to violate the site TOS

Pretty sure I am allowed to tell you to post comments that are related to what I am asking, not give me condescending "advice". 

[payxibka 10,045]

Just now, Annikena said:

Pretty sure I am allowed to tell you to post comments that are related to what I am asking, not give me condescending "advice". 

Read the TOS and report back with your findings.   You will be enlightened 

[Crazy Cat 41,887]

Let me clarify:  I would certainly get a SSN as soon as possible... Opening a bank account, renting an apartment, and other things are much easier........and there is no reason to wait the full 2 weeks as indicated in the VJ guide.  Back, before electronic I-94s, etc., it was better to wait....but not now... 

[Annikena 6]

Just now, payxibka said:

Read the TOS and report back with your findings.   You will be enlightened 

Not here to argue with you. Literally just wanted advice about SSN. If you have anything to say about that, then I would be happy about, if not; then lets move on.  I am sure we both have better things to do  

[Annikena 6]

3 minutes ago, missileman said:

Let me clarify:  I would certainly get a SSN as soon as possible... Opening a bank account, renting an apartment, and other things are much easier........and there is no reason to wait the full 2 weeks as indicated in the VJ guide.  Back, before electronic I-94s, etc., it was better to wait....but not now... 

Thank you! I appreciate it  So as soon as the I-94 is available I can just go and apply for the SSN? Do you know when it is available?

Edited April 7, 2019 by Annikena