Do you need a green card to apply for SSN?

[IloveDanang 38]

Asking because I need to get wife health insurance once she arrives in the US.  I think the green card arrives with in 2 weeks.  Can I apply the SSN for her with the GC in hand?

[Capital 3]

55 minutes ago, IloveDanang said:

Asking because I need to get wife health insurance once she arrives in the US.  I think the green card arrives with in 2 weeks.  Can I apply the SSN for her with the GC in hand?

She can use her passport and visa stamp to apply. When she filed DS-260, if she checked the box to obtain her social security, it may be shipped to her mailing address within 3 weeks since her arrival.

 

Green Card delivery can take up to 120 days, I will not expect it to arrive sooner than 5-6 weeks.

[mniceguy16 186]

12 minutes ago, IloveDanang said:

Asking because I need to get wife health insurance once she arrives in the US.  I think the green card arrives with in 2 weeks.  Can I apply the SSN for her with the GC in hand?

The stamp on her passport will automatically activate her i551 as a permanent resident for up to a year, you can use her visa and get her health insurance, make sure you show them where it is written on visa that it serves as temporary proof of permanent residence. I would not trust so much on greencard arriving in mail after 2 weeks upon her arrival. I paid for my gc fees before leaving for the states and I have been here for  6 weeks now and my status changed to "card is being produced" on 06/14. Focus more on getting her a state id or drivers licence because they will definitely need that for a proof of address.

[IloveDanang 38]

Niceguy,

 

so you you don’t need a green card or ssn to get health insurance?

[Dashinka 24,497]

3 hours ago, IloveDanang said:

Niceguy,

 

so you you don’t need a green card or ssn to get health insurance?

As the others mentioned, the passport visa acts as a temporary GC upon entry.  My only advice is that if you do go down to the SSA office and the clerk there does not recognize the endorsed visa as a valid GC ask for a supervisor and show them the wording on the bottom of the visa.

 

Good Luck!

[USS_Voyager 1,972]

4 hours ago, IloveDanang said:

Niceguy,

 

so you you don’t need a green card or ssn to get health insurance?

I assume you have insurance through your employer and will just add the wife? In that case, contact HR, but the visa on her passport should be proof of permanent resident. 

[payxibka 10,045]

4 hours ago, IloveDanang said:

Niceguy,

 

so you you don’t need a green card or ssn to get health insurance?

My wife is neither a resident or has  a ssn and she has health insurance 

[WandY 430]

1. If a company wants to write the policy, they can. No law against it.

 

2. Anyone with a K-1 or CR-1 can get a SSN as soon as they land in the U.S. My wife (K-1) received her SSN the first few days she was in the U.S. - long before she had a GC. Not a problem. However, no drivers license  in my state without GC - even if you have a SSN. States vary on this.

 

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Social Security Numbers forum.

[junkmart 320]

On 6/18/2019 at 1:43 AM, IloveDanang said:

Can I apply the SSN for her with the GC in hand?

She will need to appear in person. You, alone, cannot apply for her.

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,092]

On 6/18/2019 at 1:31 AM, IloveDanang said:

Niceguy,

 

so you you don’t need a green card or ssn to get health insurance?

No (my wife's on my health insurance; she doesn't have a green card yet, and I was able to add her before she got her SSN).

 

Many electronic forms may require an SSN even though they shouldn't and low-level government, bank, and insurance company employees may tell you an SSN is required even when it's not.