K1 Visa - obtaining SSN after crossing

[JFH 12,190]

*~*~*SSN question moved from “K-1 fiancé visa process avd procedures” to “social security numbers” where this question is regularly discussed*~*~*

[JP John 65]

16 hours ago, Rlewis said:

I heard some say to apply 14 business days after crossing because then the information of the crossing will show up in the system. 

So did the agent had to do a manual verification then to be able to get your fiancee's SSN?

what did you bring as documents to apply for SSN?

I brought my documents that i crossed the border with.  Cant remember what else.  I think I went on the website to see what I needed to bring.

[Loren Y 2,755]

My wife arrived thru LAX POE at 7pm on a Sunday Night. We drove back to Las Vegas,NV that night, didn't get home until about 1:30 am. The next morning at 8am we were at the local social security office, not even 12 hours after POE. She was already in the system ( Took a little prodding of the employee to get him to check, as he was also under the impression it took 2 weeks, It is instant now as soon as you enter thru POE). I printed her I94 from my phone while we were waiting for our bags to come off the plane after POE ( Yes, the I94 was available online 10 minutes after POE, printed to my house in Vegas( Thank you Google cloud print)). I had already filled out the SS-5 application for Social security card ( It is available on the SS website for download). Took everything to the office and had the SS number a week later after applying no more than 13 hours after arrival. If you need married quickly, swing thru Las Vegas, and I can have you married and certificate in hand in less than an hour.

Definitely get your SS card first thing, it makes everything so much easier. Also get the state ID at the minimum as soon as you get the SS card. The ID or license you get may only be valid until the I94 expires ( My wife only got about 80 days out of her first ID), but you are in the system then, and when you need to do anything at the DMV it is a lot easier( also keeps you from having to carry around your passport all the time, don't want to risk losing that). To help speed this process up I added my fiancee at the time to some utility bills before she even arrived here. I was able to get her on the Cable/ Gas/ and power bills very easily with a phone call. Because it usually takes a billing cycle or so for the name to appear on the bill, it could be 30 days before you get the first bill with your name on it. Have your fiancee add you to as many as he can now. You need usually at least 2 bills or bank statements for proof of address to qualify for real ID. Around day 10 after arrival we were able to get her a real ID as I had 3 utility bills with her name, and proof of her address on a statement from our joint bank account.

Any questions, just message me. Good luck on your journey!

[caliliving 606]

10 hours ago, Rlewis said:

As stated in the last part of my post I am currently waiting for my passport to return from the consulate with my K1 visa in it. So Im just waiting for that so I can move

ahh ok! well good luck you should get it soon! be prepared to not be able to leave or work in the USA for 6 months.  I suggest you get married as soon as you enter and apply for the greencard asap but it is still about a 5 month wait to get a EAD/AP combo card and another 1-2 years right now for the gc interview.  just keep that in mind.  

 

To add: getting a SSN is super easy.  as long as you have a valid visa (k1, cr1, f1) you can bring that and get it.  similar to a drivers license (which you should get asap as well).  However, you still can not get a job having a SSN but i suggest you open a bank account ect. As a canadian, the k1 visa is more of a sit back and relax.  if you did the cr1 you would be able to get a job upon entry. 

Edited October 24, 2020 by caliliving

[Rlewis 73]

3 hours ago, caliliving said:

ahh ok! well good luck you should get it soon! be prepared to not be able to leave or work in the USA for 6 months.  I suggest you get married as soon as you enter and apply for the greencard asap but it is still about a 5 month wait to get a EAD/AP combo card and another 1-2 years right now for the gc interview.  just keep that in mind.  

 

To add: getting a SSN is super easy.  as long as you have a valid visa (k1, cr1, f1) you can bring that and get it.  similar to a drivers license (which you should get asap as well).  However, you still can not get a job having a SSN but i suggest you open a bank account ect. As a canadian, the k1 visa is more of a sit back and relax.  if you did the cr1 you would be able to get a job upon entry. 

Yes, and I bet covid will make it take even longer  

I wonder if I can go to school while waiting for my greencard? That was also another idea we thought of while waiting for the greencard.

[caliliving 606]

1 hour ago, Rlewis said:

Yes, and I bet covid will make it take even longer  

I wonder if I can go to school while waiting for my greencard? That was also another idea we thought of while waiting for the greencard.

You can not go to school bc an f1 visa can not have immigrant intent.

trust me. I would get married, stay in Canada and do the cr1! You can still visit while it is pending.

coming on the k1 you need to expect to not be able to do ANYTHING for 6 months! And that is if you get married and file paperwork within a month. If you wait 3 months to get married and file paperwork expect to not do anything for 9 months:

 

 

k1 for a Canadian is the worst visa to do. Add a pandemic on top of that and I would highly reconsider what you are doing. 

[Rlewis 73]

28 minutes ago, caliliving said:

You can not go to school bc an f1 visa can not have immigrant intent.

trust me. I would get married, stay in Canada and do the cr1! You can still visit while it is pending.

coming on the k1 you need to expect to not be able to do ANYTHING for 6 months! And that is if you get married and file paperwork within a month. If you wait 3 months to get married and file paperwork expect to not do anything for 9 months:

 

 

k1 for a Canadian is the worst visa to do. Add a pandemic on top of that and I would highly reconsider what you are doing. 

Sadly, I've already come this far, so we will have to see through it. 

[caliliving 606]

21 hours ago, Rlewis said:

Sadly, I've already come this far, so we will have to see through it. 

good luck! just know that you wont be able to leave the country or work  for 6+ months.  upon entry get your SSN  and driver license but that is about all you will be able to do. 

[S&Y 1]

Has anyone ran into the Field office saying they cant do it due to being closed? I have her I-94. I am trying to figure out what to do next.

[Rlewis 73]

2 minutes ago, S&Y said:

Has anyone ran into the Field office saying they cant do it due to being closed? I have her I-94. I am trying to figure out what to do next.

That’s odd because according to their site: https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/

it says they will allow appointments for those looking to get their first SSN and this was confirmed as my USC partner called and they said to have us call them back to set up appointment when I actually cross into USA.

Perhaps you might have to nudge them and tell them of their own announcement on their site or call a different office, it sounds like not even every office is aware K1s can get SSN

[S&Y 1]

1 minute ago, Rlewis said:

That’s odd because according to their site: https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/

it says they will allow appointments for those looking to get their first SSN and this was confirmed as my USC partner called and they said to have us call them back to set up appointment when I actually cross into USA.

Perhaps you might have to nudge them and tell them of their own announcement on their site or call a different office, it sounds like not even every office is aware K1s can get SSN

Ya I kinda got that. she said that it was only the supervisor was there and super busy. She said she didnt know when i could get one. Also can she get one with just the VIsa or does she need more identification?

Thanks for help

[Rlewis 73]

5 minutes ago, S&Y said:

Ya I kinda got that. she said that it was only the supervisor was there and super busy. She said she didnt know when i could get one. Also can she get one with just the VIsa or does she need more identification?

Thanks for help

From what I gather someone posted on here she just needs her:

I-94

Passport

SS-5 application form

RM 10211.530
 

is there a different office you could call? There is usually more than one SSA office per city unless you live in a very small town.

[S&Y 1]

Just now, Rlewis said:

From what I gather someone posted on here she just needs her:

I-94

Passport

SS-5 application form

RM 10211.530
 

is there a different office you could call? There is usually more than one SSA office per city unless you live in a very small town.

when i called our local office it was a 866 number. Im in Indianapolis. I will see if theres another one.

[Cynthia_Aussie 1]

On 10/28/2020 at 11:41 AM, S&Y said:

when i called our local office it was a 866 number. Im in Indianapolis. I will see if theres another one.

Hi lovely, I crossed into US on 20 Oct 2020 and am now in the process of calling around SS offices for an appointment. There is so much misinformation. This is me trying just my local social security office (after being hung up on several times). 

• Operator 1:  Refused to listen to me and advised me that I cannot get a SSN. I referred him to RM 10211.530 but he refused to look it up.
• Operator 2: Gave me an email address of a supervisor for me to email. I got off the phone, proceeded to email all the info to this email address..... 'Your message wasn't delivered to X because the address couldn't be found, or is unable to receive mail.'
• Operator 3: Took my details and advised me she would email the office supervisor to contact me for an appointment. 
•  

I am hoping that operator 3 is correct. If I don't hear back in a day or two then I'll try another SS office. 

 

Just a tip for anyone phoning around, DO NOT mention K1 visa unless prompted. I was given a hard time due to the operator's misunderstandings of the K1 visa. Just say, "I need to apply for my social security number for the first time. Could I please make an appointment?" 

 

Good luck everyone! 

[Rlewis 73]

1 hour ago, Cynthia_Aussie said:

Hi lovely, I crossed into US on 20 Oct 2020 and am now in the process of calling around SS offices for an appointment. There is so much misinformation. This is me trying just my local social security office (after being hung up on several times). 

• Operator 1:  Refused to listen to me and advised me that I cannot get a SSN. I referred him to RM 10211.530 but he refused to look it up.
• Operator 2: Gave me an email address of a supervisor for me to email. I got off the phone, proceeded to email all the info to this email address..... 'Your message wasn't delivered to X because the address couldn't be found, or is unable to receive mail.'
• Operator 3: Took my details and advised me she would email the office supervisor to contact me for an appointment. 
•  

I am hoping that operator 3 is correct. If I don't hear back in a day or two then I'll try another SS office. 

 

Just a tip for anyone phoning around, DO NOT mention K1 visa unless prompted. I was given a hard time due to the operator's misunderstandings of the K1 visa. Just say, "I need to apply for my social security number for the first time. Could I please make an appointment?" 

 

Good luck everyone! 

Gosh I'm sorry you are having such a hard time!

May I ask which state/city you are doing this in?