K1 Health insurance strategy

[Wuozopo 4,293]

3 hours ago, A.j. said:

Sounds good.  I wanted to I get the ssn first because of the stories of how people have run into problems getting it after marriage due to a " mismatch"?

That would happen anyway if his passport scan at POE picks up the name irregularly.
Like “FirstMiddle Last” run together as one name instead of “First Middle Last” in three fields. Happens on UK passports a lot. What have experiences been among Japanese passport holders?

Edited December 5, 2020 by Wuozopo

[Boiler 45,499]

Health Insurance is not just a price comparison, it is also what you get for the premium.

[HRQX 4,145]

On 12/5/2020 at 6:08 AM, Wuozopo said:

Social Security offices were closed in March with no announced reopening as far as I know.

Depends on local conditions: https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/

I need help with my Social Security Number (SSN)

We are prioritizing requests for in-person SSN services for:

• Individuals age 12 or older applying for their first SSN card.
• Individuals who need to update or correct their SSN information (such as your name, date of birth, or citizenship) to obtain income, resources, or medical care or coverage, or other services or benefits (for example filing a tax return, applying for housing, or seeking an Economic Impact Payment).

If you believe you qualify for an in-person appointment, call your local office. You can look up the phone number for your local office by accessing our office locator. Please note that appointments may not be immediately available, depending on local health and safety conditions and staffing.

[BLST 11]

On 12/4/2020 at 4:32 AM, Loren Y said:

I can definitely recommend the Vegas wedding... LOL, I'm the one doing them! Message me if you want and I will send you my contact information. I can get you married with certified marriage certificate in hand in less than a hour. As others have stated I don't charge for members of VJ. Marriage license is about 80 dollars total, and copies of your certified marriage certificate are 20 dollars each roughly ( Since they aren't taking cash for anything right now, they have a 2.5% credit card fee, but even then it only adds a few dollars to the totals above).  Should be able to get married with 2 copies of the marriage certificate for under 130 total. Other than the cost of fuel to get here. I just did a ceremony for a couple a few weeks ago, and civil marriages in California were at least 6 weeks out to get scheduled, and then a 6-8 week wait for the marriage certificate. Way too much time if you're here on a K1. This was in southern California, San Diego and Los Angeles counties. Not sure how things are going in northern California, but it probably isn't too much faster, and by the time you drive up there (if your in southern California) Vegas is closer. Let me know, I'll be happy to help you out.

This is great to know! I’m flying into San Diego in 10 days. Trying to work out how to get married for January. I read California allows virtual weddings? Will definitely be keeping your services in mind. 😊

[Wuozopo 4,293]

2 hours ago, BLST said:

This is great to know! I’m flying into San Diego in 10 days. Trying to work out how to get married for January. I read California allows virtual weddings? Will definitely be keeping your services in mind. 😊

Marrying in December may give your spouse some income tax breaks. Even being married one day in 2020 counts for filing Married Filing Jointly. Filing as Single for 2020 will often cost more in income tax. There’s an extra standard deduction for joint filers which reduces his/her taxable income by $24,800 instead of $12,400 as single. Also an additional $1200 in Recovery Rebate Credit possible for his/her spouse (if married in 2020). If your fiancé collected $1200 earlier in the year, it is possible to collect another $1200 for yourself if you file jointly for 2020.

[Loren Y 2,755]

3 hours ago, BLST said:

This is great to know! I’m flying into San Diego in 10 days. Trying to work out how to get married for January. I read California allows virtual weddings? Will definitely be keeping your services in mind. 😊

I'm in San Diego now. Escondido visiting friends, but let me know what you want to do. I have a lot of people come over from california because it is taking 2-3 weeks to get a wedding ( virtual or regular) scheduled. Then the 7-8 weeks minimum to get the marriage certificate back has really put a kink in people arriving on a K1 and needing to get married quickly. Just message me and I can send you my contact information. Have a safe trip.

[A.j. 12]

8 hours ago, BLST said:

This is great to know! I’m flying into San Diego in 10 days. Trying to work out how to get married for January. I read California allows virtual weddings? Will definitely be keeping your services in mind. 😊

I'm currently waiting for the virtual wedding to get back to me.  It's been about 4 weeks now that I've been waiting.  If they don't have a response by the end of the year, I'm planning to go the vegas route in January!

[ProbeGT 47]

2 hours ago, A.j. said:

I'm currently waiting for the virtual wedding to get back to me.  It's been about 4 weeks now that I've been waiting.  If they don't have a response by the end of the year, I'm planning to go the vegas route in January!

If you can get married in December, you two will get some tax breaks (different rates)

[Mike E 11,739]

For my fiancée, I got the travel insurance that is targeted at k-1s and advertised on VJ.  Pretty hard to miss.  I bought it for one month.  The insurance wasnt very good but it would cover the cost of an evacuation.  
 
Upon entering the USA, I named my fiancée as a domestic partner and added her to my employer’s insurance, as this was a permissible qualifying life event.  3 weeks later (after the SS card was applied for) we married and I changed her status on my employer’s insurance to spouse.  
 

As others have noted, getting a social security card will be difficult to impossible under current COVID conditions.  SS offices never re-opened like uscis offices, and with US case rates now at record rates, I don’t see them reopening for a couple years.  

[BLST 11]

21 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

Marrying in December may give your spouse some income tax breaks. Even being married one day in 2020 counts for filing Married Filing Jointly. Filing as Single for 2020 will often cost more in income tax. There’s an extra standard deduction for joint filers which reduces his/her taxable income by $24,800 instead of $12,400 as single. Also an additional $1200 in Recovery Rebate Credit possible for his/her spouse (if married in 2020). If your fiancé collected $1200 earlier in the year, it is possible to collect another $1200 for yourself if you file jointly for 2020.

Thank you for that information! Much appreciated and helpful of you. 🙏 I unfortunately won’t make it in getting married by the end of the year. But this will help others to know.

[BLST 11]

21 hours ago, Loren Y said:

I'm in San Diego now. Escondido visiting friends, but let me know what you want to do. I have a lot of people come over from california because it is taking 2-3 weeks to get a wedding ( virtual or regular) scheduled. Then the 7-8 weeks minimum to get the marriage certificate back has really put a kink in people arriving on a K1 and needing to get married quickly. Just message me and I can send you my contact information. Have a safe trip.

Thank you. Enjoy San Diego! 
 

I think a road trip to Las Vegas for a VJ wedding would add some much needed pizzaz to this ride that is the K1 visa journey! 

 

Would love your contact details.
Do you have any plans for the 1/21? 

 

 

[BLST 11]

17 hours ago, A.j. said:

I'm currently waiting for the virtual wedding to get back to me.  It's been about 4 weeks now that I've been waiting.  If they don't have a response by the end of the year, I'm planning to go the vegas route in January!

Thanks for letting me know. Gosh that’s a while.
 

Do you have a marriage license organized?

 

My partner and I have decided to do the quickie in Vegas after reading all the recommendations here. Have mentioned it to Loren.
 

Good luck with getting things organized. I fly into the US on the 27th Dec. so this next stage is just beginning.

[Loren Y 2,755]

2 hours ago, Mike E said:

For my fiancée, I got the travel insurance that is targeted at k-1s and advertised on VJ.  Pretty hard to miss.  I bought it for one month.  The insurance wasnt very good but it would cover the cost of an evacuation.  
 
Upon entering the USA, I named my fiancée as a domestic partner and added her to my employer’s insurance, as this was a permissible qualifying life event.  3 weeks later (after the SS card was applied for) we married and I changed her status on my employer’s insurance to spouse.  
 

As others have noted, getting a social security card will be difficult to impossible under current COVID conditions.  SS offices never re-opened like uscis offices, and with US case rates now at record rates, I don’t see them reopening for a couple years.  

SS offices are open for certain services. One of them is getting your first SS card. You have to make an appointment with your local office, but it is doable. If you have a date in mind for the card, you may want to give them a call now, and get something scheduled.

Am I eligible for an in-person appointment during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Date: October 22, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can only enter our offices if you have an appointment. For more information regarding appointment availability for your situation, please select the statement that applies to you:

I need help with my Social Security Number (SSN)

We are prioritizing requests for in-person SSN services for:

• Individuals age 12 or older applying for their first SSN card.
• Individuals who need to update or correct their SSN information (such as your name, date of birth, or citizenship) to obtain income, resources, or medical care or coverage, or other services or benefits (for example filing a tax return, applying for housing, or seeking an Economic Impact Payment).

If you believe you qualify for an in-person appointment, call your local office. You can look up the phone number for your local office by accessing our office locator. Please note that appointments may not be immediately available, depending on local health and safety conditions and staffing.

Edited December 18, 2020 by Loren Y