Acquire SSN Number for non-work reason

[Arles 7]

Hello All,   

 

Need help. To be able for me to get a SSN Number for non-work reason, I applied for the Form SS-5 UF at the Social Security Administration in Tullahoma, TN.  I needed that SSN number in order to apply for drivers license, open a bank account and submit my husbands income tax submission to IRS to be able to get his refund for 2021.  Again, the accountant needed a SSN Number.

 

The Social Security office in Tullahoma was ready to give me the SSN. Number until she noticed that my K1 Visa is expiring in 3 days at the time I got that appointment.  She said the processing will take them 2 weeks and I would need a valid Visa. I have a K1 visa that expired in May 15th.  

 

How do I get a SSN Number with this issue?  Is there any other option available for me to get a SSN Number for non work reason?

 

Thank you.

Edited June 6, 2022 by Arles
Visa Type insert

[P055UM 287]

13 minutes ago, Arles said:

Hello All,   

 

Need help. To be able for me to get a SSN Number for non-work reason, I applied for the Form SS-5 UF at the Social Security Administration in Tullahoma, TN.  I needed that SSN number in order to apply for drivers license, open a bank account and submit my husbands income tax submission to IRS to be able to get his refund for 2021.  Again, the accountant needed a SSN Number.

 

The Social Security office in Tullahoma was ready to give me the SSN. Number until she noticed that my K1 Visa is expiring in 3 days at the time I got that appointment.  She said the processing will take them 2 weeks and I would need a valid Visa. I have a K1 visa that expired in May 15th.  

 

How do I get a SSN Number with this issue?  Is there any other option available for me to get a SSN Number for non work reason?

 

Thank you.

When did you enter the country? By my understanding it is the amount of time left on your I-94 and (not your visa) which is relevant. They won’t issue within two weeks of expiry of I-94. 

[beloved_dingo 1,979]

17 minutes ago, Arles said:

Hello All,   

 

Need help. To be able for me to get a SSN Number for non-work reason, I applied for the Form SS-5 UF at the Social Security Administration in Tullahoma, TN.  I needed that SSN number in order to apply for drivers license, open a bank account and submit my husbands income tax submission to IRS to be able to get his refund for 2021.  Again, the accountant needed a SSN Number.

 

The Social Security office in Tullahoma was ready to give me the SSN. Number until she noticed that my K1 Visa is expiring in 3 days at the time I got that appointment.  She said the processing will take them 2 weeks and I would need a valid Visa. I have a K1 visa that expired in May 15th.  

 

How do I get a SSN Number with this issue?  Is there any other option available for me to get a SSN Number for non work reason?

 

Thank you.

Technically the date that matters I believe is the date on your I-94, not the K-1 visa (as the visa's purpose was moot as soon as you entered the U.S.) but regardless it looks like you will have to wait for the EAD (work permit) now to get your SSN. Your husband does not need an SSN to file taxes but you will need to get an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). This is a number specifically for tax purposes that non-residents and resident aliens who cannot get an SSN use to file. 

I was able to add my husband to my bank account without an SSN. They had to add him as a foreign resident to do that. Basically it is the option used for people who bank in the U.S. but are not citizens/LPRs. Talk to the bank and see what they can do.

 

Depending on your state, you likely will not be able to get a driver's license until you obtain the SSN. That's what my husband had to do (we live in Alabama).

 

Unfortunately this is one of the possible downsides of getting a K-1. You have to apply for your SSN very quickly upon entering the U.S. - waiting often results in the SSA being unable to issue the SSN as it is too late. In our case we got very unlucky and were told the first we applied too soon (which wasn't true) and when we tried again, we were told it was too late. 
 

Have you applied for AOS yet?

Edited June 6, 2022 by beloved_dingo

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

34 minutes ago, Arles said:

Hello All,   

 

Need help. To be able for me to get a SSN Number for non-work reason, I applied for the Form SS-5 UF at the Social Security Administration in Tullahoma, TN.  I needed that SSN number in order to apply for drivers license, open a bank account and submit my husbands income tax submission to IRS to be able to get his refund for 2021.  Again, the accountant needed a SSN Number.

 

The Social Security office in Tullahoma was ready to give me the SSN. Number until she noticed that my K1 Visa is expiring in 3 days at the time I got that appointment.  She said the processing will take them 2 weeks and I would need a valid Visa. I have a K1 visa that expired in May 15th.  

 

How do I get a SSN Number with this issue?  Is there any other option available for me to get a SSN Number for non work reason?

 

Thank you.

When did you enter the US via the K-1? Your I-94 expires 90 days after entering.  If you are within 14 days of expiration of the I-94, then, you will have to file for adjustment of Status and mark the box for a SSN on the I-485.  You can (and should) file an I-765 at the same time.

 

Note to all new users:  Anyone entering the US via a K-1 should immediately apply for a SSN after US entry.  

Edited June 6, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[Arles 7]

7 hours ago, beloved_dingo said:

Technically the date that matters I believe is the date on your I-94, not the K-1 visa (as the visa's purpose was moot as soon as you entered the U.S.) but regardless it looks like you will have to wait for the EAD (work permit) now to get your SSN. Your husband does not need an SSN to file taxes but you will need to get an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). This is a number specifically for tax purposes that non-residents and resident aliens who cannot get an SSN use to file. 

I was able to add my husband to my bank account without an SSN. They had to add him as a foreign resident to do that. Basically it is the option used for people who bank in the U.S. but are not citizens/LPRs. Talk to the bank and see what they can do.

 

Depending on your state, you likely will not be able to get a driver's license until you obtain the SSN. That's what my husband had to do (we live in Alabama).

 

Unfortunately this is one of the possible downsides of getting a K-1. You have to apply for your SSN very quickly upon entering the U.S. - waiting often results in the SSA being unable to issue the SSN as it is too late. In our case we got very unlucky and were told the first we applied too soon (which wasn't true) and when we tried again, we were told it was too late. 
 

Have you applied for AOS yet?

Thank you for these information and insights. Looks like I would need to wait. My application were received March 22, 2022 although I have submitted in February 2022.

 

To get my EAD, how long is the processing time at this point. Any realistic estimate? 10 months or longer? 😢

[Arles 7]

7 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

When did you enter the US via the K-1? Your I-94 expires 90 days after entering.  If you are within 14 days of expiration of the I-94, then, you will have to file for adjustment of Status and mark the box for a SSN on the I-485.  You can (and should) file an I-765 at the same time.

 

Note to all new users:  Anyone entering the US via a K-1 should immediately apply for a SSN after US entry.  

Thank you. We didn’t know and applying for the SSN number right looks too late. 
 

But would they issue me a ITIN or tax number without any valid 1-94 and K1? 
 

It’s frustrating when they can’t even issue temporary immigration status that is valid for for drivers license, bank account and tax purposes. 
 

Thank you for support the community support here.

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

11 hours ago, Arles said:

Thank you. We didn’t know and applying for the SSN number right looks too late. 
 

But would they issue me a ITIN or tax number without any valid 1-94 and K1? 
 

It’s frustrating when they can’t even issue temporary immigration status that is valid for for drivers license, bank account and tax purposes. 
 

Thank you for support the community support here.

1.  You can get an ITIN only when filing taxes.

2.  Your I-94 was your temporary status....for 90 days.  A K-1 is just like any other non-immigrant visa in that you are limited to the duration after entry.

My pleasure...Thanks.

Edited June 7, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[powerpuff 6,744]

~~ Topic moved to SSN sub forum as the question is about an SSN ~~

[Ian88 41]

11 hours ago, Arles said:

Thank you for these information and insights. Looks like I would need to wait. My application were received March 22, 2022 although I have submitted in February 2022.

 

To get my EAD, how long is the processing time at this point. Any realistic estimate? 10 months or longer? 😢

My EAD was recently approved in 39 days. Filed on February 2, 2022. Can't be sure how others are doing, but mine was very quick, I also got my Green Card in the mail a couple days ago - hopefully this means things are starting to move more quickly. I did not expedite. Fingers crossed.

[mam521 2,113]

27 minutes ago, Ian88 said:

My EAD was recently approved in 39 days. Filed on February 2, 2022. Can't be sure how others are doing, but mine was very quick, I also got my Green Card in the mail a couple days ago - hopefully this means things are starting to move more quickly. I did not expedite. Fingers crossed.

That is impressive!  I don't think I've ever heard of something immi related happening that fast, let alone EAD in recent times!  Congrats!

[JeanneAdil 6,592]

You interviewed in November 

when were u able to enter and marry before end of 2021?

i ask as if u were able to marry by end of 2021,  husband could file 1040 x to amend 2021 tax returns n apply for the ITIN

it is a slow process but could be faster than the EAD card

 

with the ITIN u can be added to his bank account (federal laws although some banks have their set of rules) 

 

 

[Arles 7]

31 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

You interviewed in November 

when were u able to enter and marry before end of 2021?

i ask as if u were able to marry by end of 2021,  husband could file 1040 x to amend 2021 tax returns n apply for the ITIN

it is a slow process but could be faster than the EAD card

 

with the ITIN u can be added to his bank account (federal laws although some banks have their set of rules) 

 

 

Hi.. thanks for the feedback first of all. 
 

I came in the US on the 10th of December 2021. Got married on the 14th. We decided to do that to at least get tax refund as a married man in year 2021. 
 

IRS wants that I submit a SSN number in April which I did not have. Unfortunately, by the time I knew that I could get a SSN number for non work reason, my 1-94 and my K1 visa have expired.

 

That leaves me to wait for the EAD and my husband have applied for a tax return filing extension. I really don’t know how long the wait will be but have tried to contact USCIS. Not successful. 
 

So I wrote here in the hope I could find options through the community’s experiences.

 

I will check the option you wrote here. So thank you for that.

[JeanneAdil 6,592]

He needs to file as Married (MFJ or MFS)  i prefer joint for the larger deduction but this is personal  choice

 

the following IRS will tell him how to apply for the ITIN with his return

he needs to file a W7 for the ITIN application and a form 2555 for any foreign income to exclude any amount for u of $108,700 or under if doing MFJ

 

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/taxpayer-identification-numbers-tin#:~:text=You can use the IRS's,for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

Edited June 7, 2022 by JeanneAdil

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

39 minutes ago, Arles said:

I really don’t know how long the wait will be but have tried to contact USCIS. Not successful. 

USCIS does not issue Social Security Cards......

[SalishSea 17,988]

15 hours ago, Arles said:

Thank you. We didn’t know and applying for the SSN number right looks too late. 
 

But would they issue me a ITIN or tax number without any valid 1-94 and K1? 
 

It’s frustrating when they can’t even issue temporary immigration status that is valid for for drivers license, bank account and tax purposes. 
 

Thank you for support the community support here.

It may be frustrating, but the burden was on you to understand the conditions of your visa.  
 

Many people here on VJ are only interested in pursuing rhe “fastest”!route to “be together,” vs what is more practical for life in the US.   Since 2020, K-1 has no longer even been faster than CR-1.

 

Also, obtaining a drivers license is not overseen federally-  it is by state.  In some states, you can get one without regard to immigration status.