when to apply for SSN

[champi 13]

Hello all,

My husband will arrive in US on CR-1 by end of this month and we plan to go to SSA office to apply for SS card the next day. I don't want to wait for a week to see if the card arrives in mail or not. I've been looking at everyone's timeline and I found no one who went to the SSA office the day after POE. Made me wonder if there is some requirement about waiting x number of days before applying for SS card? Is there anything required to apply for SS card other than passport with US visa and I-551 stamp? Just want to know if I am missing some obvious information or just being over-driven

Edited June 3, 2009 by champi

[YuAndDan 153]

Wait 2 weeks and then apply.

SSA uses a database to confirm immigrations status, it takes at least 2 weeks for this to update.

SSA looks at the stamp but wont issue a number until the database is updated.

To apply for SSN you need passport, I-551 stamp, Visa, and perhaps marriage cert.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...om&page=ssn

[Brad and Vika 129]

Wait 2 weeks and then apply.

SSA uses a database to confirm immigrations status, it takes at least 2 weeks for this to update.

SSA looks at the stamp but wont issue a number until the database is updated.

To apply for SSN you need passport, I-551 stamp, Visa, and perhaps marriage cert.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...om&page=ssn

I agree with all of this, but caution the OP not to wait too long. We did, and the manual request to verify my wife under her married name took too long. It was within 2 weeks of K-1 expiration date, and they made her wait until she gets a green card for the SSN.

[12345678 1]

SIMPLY GO TO SSA AS SOON AS HE ARRIVES.

I went to the SSA office with my husband the very next day....All u need is to take ur passport. A form will be given to fill out right there (also u can download it from www.socialsecurity.com)...No hard goin to SSA office, rather it is good...U don't wait extra two weeks for nothing....SSN will not come automatically...And there is no such requirement...I am assure you...as I think I am the latest one who has done this....

Good Luck...

Sonia

[kaffy 2]

Go, but don't go the next day. I went a day or two after my arrival and was told to come back 10 days after my POE date. The reason is because you need to allow time for your details to be updated into the system (from the mysterious brown envelope you hand over at POE). On day 10 I went back, handed them my passport, they used my A-number to check if my details in the system. They found me and since I checked the box on the DS-230 form it turns out my SSN had already been automatically assigned to me. They gave me a printout of my number, confirmed my mailing address and said the card should arrive within a week.

If an SSN hadn't been assigned I would have filled out an SS-5 form and they would have processed a new application for me on the spot.

Edited June 3, 2009 by kaffy

[YuAndDan 153]

Wait 2 weeks and then apply.

SSA uses a database to confirm immigrations status, it takes at least 2 weeks for this to update.

SSA looks at the stamp but wont issue a number until the database is updated.

To apply for SSN you need passport, I-551 stamp, Visa, and perhaps marriage cert.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...om&page=ssn

I agree with all of this, but caution the OP not to wait too long. We did, and the manual request to verify my wife under her married name took too long. It was within 2 weeks of K-1 expiration date, and they made her wait until she gets a green card for the SSN.

The OP is CR-1/IR-1 IMMIGRANT visa, NOT K-1, they will not have the problem you described.

[champi 13]

Thank you everyone. I think we'll go next day. In best case scenario, they start processing application right away. In worst case scenario, they ask us to come back in 10 days, which is not bad.

Edited June 4, 2009 by champi

[kaffy 2]

I hope you don't live far because I can almost guarantee you that they will not and cannot issue you with a number on the next day after arrival

The reason they have you wait is so that there is time for your information can be updated to the system and to ensure that you don't accidentally get assigned with 2 SSNs

Edited June 4, 2009 by kaffy

[champi 13]

I hope you don't live far because I can almost guarantee you that they will not and cannot issue you with a number on the next day after arrival

The reason they have you wait is so that there is time for your information can be updated to the system and to ensure that you don't accidentally get assigned with 2 SSNs

hehe, yah, I figured I'll have to wait couple days to get the actual card. I just want to see if we can start the process, basically, don't want to wait 2 weeks to find out that I'll have to fill out forms to start the process. Plus I live like 8 miles away so no biggie I am just lil anxious on getting this moving bcoz of Canada trip I've planned 5+ weeks after POE.... Need SN to get Driver permit. Need driver permit as one of the proof of LPR (Legal Permanent Residence) of US per Canadian Embassy email.

[kaffy 2]

Even if you fill our a new application they won't be able to process it for you until your details make it into the system. But anyway when you do go, just try avoid going midday as that is often when they are busiest

re: driver permit as proof of LPR, is this an Indian passport holder requirement? because when we took our trip across the border they were happy to accept my passport/green card as valid evidence of LPR status

[champi 13]

Even if you fill our a new application they won't be able to process it for you until your details make it into the system. But anyway when you do go, just try avoid going midday as that is often when they are busiest

re: driver permit as proof of LPR, is this an Indian passport holder requirement? because when we took our trip across the border they were happy to accept my passport/green card as valid evidence of LPR status

Hi Kaffy,

First, thanks for responses, I really appreciate it.

In response to your comment about driver permit, no, it is not a requirement of Indian passport holder. I actually emailed Canadian Embassy in Washington few days back asking what would be required if we don't get greencard on time. The response was, "As permanent residents of the United States you are required to provide either a valid US green card or stamp I-551 with additional government issued photo ID such as driver's licence in order for you to enter Canada from the United States". I can't think of any other government issued photo ID we can get within a month besides driver permit. I am not sure if there are good chances We'll get his Green Card within a month of POE so we're prepping for back-up plan (I-551 stamp and driver permit).