Wish we'd have filed for SSN immediately

[bolero_pa 34]

I wish somewhere in the K1 process it mentioned making an appointment with the Social Security office to get an SSN. Evidently immediately upon landing in the US with a K1 visa the fiance can and SHOULD go get an SSN. As it stands we got married and then filed for I-485 Permanent Residence and I-765 (Employment Authorization). These take 5-6 months and included SSN creation, however that's six months without being able to obtain things that require and SSN, like bank account, driver's license, etc. It's too late now for us, but if your fiance lands here, immediately visit the Social Security office with your unexpired I-94 (Department of Homeland Security Arrival/Departure Record).

[SalishSea 17,827]

4 minutes ago, bolero_pa said:

I wish somewhere in the K1 process it mentioned making an appointment with the Social Security office to get an SSN. Evidently immediately upon landing in the US with a K1 visa the fiance can and SHOULD go get an SSN.

It is mentioned here on VJ constantly.  

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

8 minutes ago, bolero_pa said:

I wish somewhere in the K1 process it mentioned making an appointment with the Social Security office to get an SSN. Evidently immediately upon landing in the US with a K1 visa the fiance can and SHOULD go get an SSN. As it stands we got married and then filed for I-485 Permanent Residence and I-765 (Employment Authorization). These take 5-6 months and included SSN creation, however that's six months without being able to obtain things that require and SSN, like bank account, driver's license, etc. It's too late now for us, but if your fiance lands here, immediately visit the Social Security office with your unexpired I-94 (Department of Homeland Security Arrival/Departure Record).

It is stated in the K-1 flowchart to apply immediately after POE. ....and it has been there for years.  Step 16.....immediately after POE (step 15).

 

 

Edited December 29, 2021 by Crazy Cat

[bolero_pa 34]

Thanks. Been using this site on and off for 10 years and never actually saw that page.

[SalishSea 17,827]

14 minutes ago, bolero_pa said:

Thanks. Been using this site on and off for 10 years and never actually saw that page.

It is mentioned elsewhere on VJ, nearly always in the context of what order to do things in after POE.  Hard to miss.

[bolero_pa 34]

I dunno. I'm fairly observant and diligent. Filed everything myself. Missed it. My bad, but would have this in the timeline or on a checklist somewhere more prominent.

Edited December 29, 2021 by bolero_pa

[TBoneTX 45,284]

Thread is moved from the K-1 Process forum to the Social Security Numbers subforum.

[bolero_pa 34]

57 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

Thread is moved from the K-1 Process forum to the Social Security Numbers subforum.

There lies the rub

[Adventine 3,196]

Driver's licenses can be challenging, but some banks will allow people to open accounts without SSN. Bank of America is one. They even let tourists open accounts with just a copy of their passport and tourist visa. 

 

Alternatively, smaller regional banks and credit unions may be more willing to win your business. My husband talked to his relationship manager, who helped me open an account without an SSN. 

 

Same for health insurance (enrolling her as a dependent of your plan) and credit cards (authorized user on your card). You can get these without SSN. I know from personal experience with Cigna and Citibank.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

Edited December 29, 2021 by Adventine

[Mike E 11,739]

I filed for N-400 in 2017 and during period that poured over this to understand the K-1 process. Everything we needed to score my fiancée / wife an ssn and real ID was here. 

[AlaMike 231]

Don't feel like the "Lone Ranger". We did the same thing, but it was due to the SS office actually being closed due to Covid. 

Hindsight always being 2020, we would have still requested the SS# in her maiden name before the I-94 expired, then changed after she received her card.

She has her combo card now and even though we it was stated that a SS card would be automatically sent after EAD. We made an appointment and applied for the card.