More Questions about SSN on a K-1 Visa

[ETM8986 8]

Hi all,

I'd like to clarify a couple of things - I've read the guides and am still unsure.

 

1) Would the expiration of the validity of the K-1 in the passport matter when applying for the SSN? Due to employment issues, I can't travel till about a week before my K-1 validity is up. My fiance and I intend to get married within the week of my entry but I will not be changing my name as yet. I know it says on the guides that SSN should be applied for before day ~76 of the I-94 expiring, but would the expiration of the K-1 affect the application process? (eg. if my K-1 is valid till mid-August and I apply end August would that be an issue?)

 

2) What exactly do you tell the SSA office if they ask for a reason why I need an SSN? Would just showing the policy memo and saying "because I'm eligible for one" cut it? I'm a bit skeptical it will work in all cases, so I'd appreciate some input on that.

 

Thanks very much. It's been very useful reading the posts on VJ and I'm really grateful for all the information here.

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

1.  No.  SSA will not process a new SSN within 2 weeks of the expiration of your I-94 (90 days after entry into the US).

Note: The K-1 visa expires as soon as you enter the US.

2.  A K-1 entrant qualifies for a SSN.  Follow the guide:

 

 

Edited May 14 by Crazy Cat

[powerpuff 6,744]

I see what you’re saying regarding Question 1. Theoretically, K1 visa expiration shouldn’t prevent you from applying for SSN IF you’re still within 75 days of the 90 days. However, getting a competent SSA employee who is familiar with immigration matters might be a challenge. In that case, I would try a different SSA office.

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

27 minutes ago, ETM8986 said:

My fiance and I intend to get married within the week of my entry

Go to the SSA office and apply for a SSN BEFORE you marry.

Edited May 14 by Crazy Cat

[powerpuff 6,744]

5 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Go to the SSA office and apply for a SSN BEFORE you marry.

Great point.

[ETM8986 8]

Thanks for the quick reply.

1) OK. Hopefully the personnel we encounter won't make things difficult.

 

2) For the SS-5 item #5 do I select "Legal Alien allowed to work" or "Legal Alien NOT allowed to work?" At the time of application I wouldn't have applied for the AoS or EAD yet. 
 

Dumb question perhaps, but I come from a very tiny city-state so it's not something I'm familiar with, hence another qn:

3) Does it matter which SSA office you go to? Does it have to be within the county/state you're in? What complicates matters is that my fiance is very possibly going to be moving out-of-state for work so do we apply for SSN in his home state or the state which we will likely be living in?

Thanks again.

[powerpuff 6,744]

Legal alien allowed to work.

 

I don’t think it matters where you apply. They will mail the card though so I would make sure you have access to the mail. 

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

5 minutes ago, ETM8986 said:

Thanks for the quick reply.

1) OK. Hopefully the personnel we encounter won't make things difficult.

 

2) For the SS-5 item #5 do I select "Legal Alien allowed to work" or "Legal Alien NOT allowed to work?" At the time of application I wouldn't have applied for the AoS or EAD yet. 
 

Dumb question perhaps, but I come from a very tiny city-state so it's not something I'm familiar with, hence another qn:

3) Does it matter which SSA office you go to? Does it have to be within the county/state you're in? What complicates matters is that my fiance is very possibly going to be moving out-of-state for work so do we apply for SSN in his home state or the state which we will likely be living in?

Thanks again.

"legal alien allowed to work".  

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

For reference, here is a partial list of visa categories which are allowed to work.  K-1 fiance visa is one of them.  You still need authorization (EAD).

 

Visa Classifications That Allow You To Work In The United States | SSA

 

Edited May 14 by Crazy Cat

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

One more thing related to this subject of "legal alien allowed to work":  A K-1 entrant could immediately apply for an EAD.  However, the approved EAD would expire when the I-94 expires (assuming it was approved within 90 days).  Thus, K-1 entrants normally apply for an EAD when they apply to adjust status (I-485). 

[ETM8986 8]

An update on the SSN, if this information is useful to anybody.

 

I entered the US on Friday evening and got to the SSA office first thing the following Tuesday. They have an online application which you can fill in prior to the walk-in appointment, so that was incredibly helpful.

 

Went in with the I-94, foreign passport and birth certificate. No questions were asked - just confirmation that the address provided was correct (I was in a different county as my then-fiance was finishing up his work) and I got a receipt saying I'd get the SSN in the mail in two weeks.
 

Received it about a week and half later. 

 

Very relieved - and very grateful for the replies on this forum!